There were 7,649 workplace fires between 2022 and 2023 (Morgan Clark). Despite the figure decreasing in recent years, accidents still happen.
However, in most cases fires and their consequences can be avoided if the Responsible Person has carried out the correct procedures.
With a Responsible Person managing fire safety within your school, you can drastically lower the likelihood of fires. This means fewer disruptions and potential legal liabilities and safeguarding students, colleagues and visitors – the main priority!
Who is a Responsible Person?
According to the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Responsible Person oversees fire safety within the workplace. It is a legal requirement to appoint one. They play a crucial part in ensuring a safe and secure work environment. If there’s more than one Responsible Person, they work together to meet responsibilities.
Typically, this role is assumed by the employer. In schools, this will depend on who the employer is. For example:
- For maintained schools, this will be the local authority, as the employer.
- In academy schools and multi-academy trusts, this will be the trust, as the charitable trust, being the employer, with the trust board holding final accountability.
- In independent schools, the employer, usually the charitable trust, or may be a private legal entity if it is a school operating as a ‘for profit’ organisation.
How does a Responsible Person manage fire safety in schools?
To manage fire safety in the school, the Responsible Person must adhere to the following duties as mandated by the updated Fire Safety Act of 2021:
Carry out fire risk assessments
Your Responsible Personal must carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly. This assessment identifies potential fire hazards, who’s at risk, and the quality of existing fire safety measures. You could be surrounded by fire hazards without knowing. Common causes of fire in schools include:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Hot work by contractors
- Improper storage of flammable materials
- Escape exits and corridors becoming blocked with coats and bags
- Inadequate emergency lighting
- Clutter in the workspace that creates fuel for fires
If the Responsible Person is not competent to complete the fire risk assessment, they must ensure that they appoint someone competent to do so.
In most cases, for schools, an independent competent person will be appointed by the Responsible Person to complete the fire risk assessment. It is critical that the Responsible Person ensures that the competent person has adequate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviour (SKEB).
Implement necessary fire safety measures
Your Responsible Person needs to make sure your school has fire alarms, emergency lights and portable extinguishing equipment, accompanied by informational or directional signs.
These measures should be tested periodically, typically every 6 or 12 months for the fire alarm and emergency lighting, and annually for portable extinguishing equipment. All emergency exits should be easily identifiable and always accessible with no obstructions.
Create a fire safety plan
Assigning plans for preventing fires and what to do in the event of a fire is a key duty. The Responsible Person needs to consider evacuation procedures and assembly points. They should inform your peers about fire risks and precautions and revisit these measures every 12 months to ensure they are still effective and appropriate for the premises.
Provide fire safety information and training
The Responsible Person must provide staff with fire safety information and training about evacuations, how to use fire extinguishers and what to do if the alarm goes off. Training should be revisited and ongoing throughout the year.
Collaborate with fire safety officials
It’s crucial for the Responsible Person to establish and maintain communication with appropriate fire safety bodies, like the local fire and rescue services. This collaboration could involve facilitating inspections of the premises by granting access or supporting fire safety inquiries and investigations.
The benefits of being an effective Responsible Person
Being an effective Responsible Person for fire safety in a school means you’re looking after the safety of everyone in your building. This is not only the right thing to do but also keeps you on the right side of the law.
Following the fire safety rules helps avoid fines and the trouble of being told you can’t use your building until it’s safe. If you get notices from fire safety authorities, like Alterations or Enforcement Notices, responding in a timely manner is imperative. If evidence of acting upon the notices is provided promptly, a Prohibition Notice may not be issued, which can shut down parts of the school until you fix the safety issues.
Looking after fire safety properly can also mean you pay less for insurance, since companies like to know you’re keeping risks low. Plus, it can stop you from having to stop work if there’s a fire, keeping the school running smoothly.
Peace of mind in fire safety: let’s get started
Understanding fire safety in schools might seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Our team works closely with your Responsible Person to carry out detailed fire risk assessments, put the right safety measures in place, and develop comprehensive fire safety plans.
Don’t wait for an emergency to think about fire safety. Give yourself peace of mind and make your school safer now.
Contact us at enquiries@vitasafety.com for a free health and safety SLA review.
