Fire risk assessments for schools and colleges: what BB100 means for you in 2026

A clear, structured method keeps the assessment usable and auditable. Safeguard Consultancy follows the five classic steps:

1. Identify fire hazards, including ignition sources, fuel and oxygen, and examine how fire could start and spread, particularly via compromised compartmentation and doors.

2. Identify people at risk, for example pupils, staff, contractors, visitors, and boarding residents, with attention to those needing assistance or PEEPs.

3. Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect, weighing existing measures against BB100 and Approved Document B, then recommending proportionate improvements to lower risk to tolerable levels.

4. Record, plan, train and inform, capturing findings in plain language, setting out an evacuation strategy, alarm category and maintenance arrangements, and defining roles and drills.

5. Review and revise, setting a review cycle and triggers for updating when buildings or use change, for instance after refurbishments, timetable shifts, or staffing changes.

Evacuation strategy, alarms and BB100

BB100 expects evacuation planning that matches your site. In most blocks a simultaneous evacuation remains appropriate. Larger or vertically stacked blocks can justify phased evacuation if the building’s compartmentation, detection and management arrangements support it. For boarding accommodation, a simultaneous strategy is typical due to sleeping risk.

PEEPs are essential for pupils, staff or visitors who need assistance. Your plan should set out roles, equipment such as evacuation chairs, refuge management and training.

Alarm and detection categories, maintenance and testing should be selected and managed against British Standards and BB100 expectations. Weekly tests, periodic servicing by a competent contractor, clear fault management, and term time drill routines should all be recorded. Where phased evacuation is used, address cause and effect, sounder zoning, and staff communication.

For additional context on Building Regulations, see our overview of Building Regulations Part B and how it interfaces with school design choices.

From findings to action, budgets and evidence

An effective Fire Risk Assessment turns into an action plan that leaders can schedule through summer works and beyond. Safeguard Consultancy structures outputs so you can:

• Prioritise by risk, for example immediate issues with fire doors, unsealed penetrations or defective detection, followed by medium-term upgrades and management improvements.
• Plan maintenance, aligning alarm and emergency lighting servicing, fire door inspections and compartmentation repairs to minimise disruption during term time.
• Evidence compliance for auditors by keeping dated reports, photographs, training logs, drill records, maintenance certificates and closed actions together to support the Golden Thread under the Building Safety Act.

If your site needs a deeper look at compartment lines, a targeted fire compartmentation survey can validate the integrity of walls, floors and service penetrations and give product-specific repair guidance.

How often should schools review their Fire Risk Assessment?

There is no single fixed period in law, but schools and colleges should review the assessment regularly and whenever significant change occurs. As a rule of thumb, review at least annually, and sooner if you alter layouts, add temporary classrooms, change occupancy, or after a significant incident. Boarding accommodation and complex multi-block campuses often benefit from tighter review cycles.

Can a school open without a working fire alarm?

No. Operating without a functioning fire detection and alarm system where one is required by your risk assessment and applicable standards is unsafe and likely to breach the Fire Safety Order. If your alarm is impaired, implement a documented interim strategy agreed with a competent person and your monitoring and maintenance providers, for example a waking watch in strictly limited circumstances, and restore full functionality as a priority before normal operation.

Record-keeping and the Golden Thread

Education leaders should maintain clear, version-controlled records that show what your strategy is, what was found, what you did, and when you checked it again. Link your Fire Risk Assessment, evacuation plan, PEEPs, maintenance logs, contractor certificates, training records and photographs. This evidences compliance and supports the Golden Thread principles many authorities now expect.

For a deeper dive into statutory duties and expectations, explore our guidance on fire safety compliance. When you are ready to develop or refresh your evacuation plan, our practical approach to fire evacuation plans helps you align roles, routes and drills with BB100.

Why commission Safeguard Consultancy now

With over 30 years of experience, Safeguard Consultancy delivers education-focused Fire Risk Assessments, evacuation plans, fire door inspections and compartmentation surveying. We work nationwide, align outputs to BB100, Approved Document B and the Fire Safety Order, and convert findings into prioritised, budget-ready actions you can tackle over the summer to be ready for September.

• Book an education-focused Fire Risk Assessment and training package.
• Align your evacuation strategy, alarm cause and effect, and maintenance regime to BB100 expectations.
• Build an evidence set that stands up to Ofsted and local authority audits.

Call 0333 366 1015 to schedule your assessment and secure workable compliance.

FAQ

• What is BB100? It is Department for Education guidance on fire safety design in schools that complements Approved Document B, informing evacuation, compartmentation, alarms and management, while your legal duties remain under the Fire Safety Order.

• Who is responsible for a school’s Fire Risk Assessment? The Responsible Person, typically the employer or person in control of the premises such as the governing body, trust or proprietor, must ensure a competent person completes and maintains it.

• What are the five steps of a Fire Risk Assessment? Identify hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate and reduce risk, record and plan and train, and review and revise.

• Can a school open without a working fire alarm? No, not where a system is required. If impaired, implement a documented interim arrangement and restore full functionality before normal operation.

• How often does a school need a Fire Risk Assessment? Review at least annually and whenever significant change occurs, with tighter intervals for complex or boarding settings.

Next steps

A suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment aligned with BB100 is the cornerstone of safe operation and smooth audits. Use the summer term to prioritise works, refresh evacuation plans and consolidate evidence so you are ready for September. Safeguard Consultancy can help you move from obligations to action. Call the team to discuss an education-focused Fire Risk Assessment and training package today.

For more information on Fire risk assessments for schools and colleges: what BB100 means for you in 2026 talk to Safeguard Fire Consultancy & Training Ltd