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Fire in Schools: Risk at the Heart of Communities
Schools hold a unique position in the UK fire risk landscape — they are simultaneously workplaces, public buildings, and environments where children spend a significant portion of their lives. A fire in a school does not just damage property; it displaces pupils, disrupts education, and traumatises a community. The consequences of a school fire extend far beyond the physical damage.
MHCLG data for 2024/25 recorded 417 fires in education premises — 6.3% of all UK workplace fires. Broader research suggests between 1,400 and 1,800 fires occur in UK schools every year when smaller, contained incidents are included. In a single year, fire damage affected 480 primary and secondary schools and disrupted the education of nearly 20,000 children. For the broader context see our Fire Statistics UK: The Definitive Guide.
Key Facts & Figures (Overview)
- 417 fires in education premises in 2024/25 — 6.3% of all UK workplace fires
- Between 1,400 and 1,800 fires occur in UK schools every year according to National Foundation for Educational Research analysis
- In 2019, 480 schools experienced fire damage, disrupting the education of nearly 20,000 children and damaging over 15,000m² of classroom space
- Only 2% of fire-affected schools had sprinkler systems — the most effective automatic suppression measure
- 66% of fire-affected schools were rated as having poor fire protection measures
- Electrical faults, arson, and kitchen fires are the three principal causes of school fires
- Arson is particularly significant in school fires — schools are among the most frequently targeted premises for deliberate fire-setting, particularly outside school hours
- Schools are subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Ofsted liaises with fire and rescue services on fire safety at school premises — FRS fire safety inspections can inform Ofsted assessments
- Fire drills are a mandatory requirement for schools — at a minimum, the RRO requires premises to have arrangements for the detection of fire and warning of occupants, including children who may not understand alarm signals
- Only 58% of fire safety audits across all premises in England in 2024/25 were satisfactory — indicating significant compliance challenges across the building stock that includes schools
The Scale of School Fire Risk
The MHCLG workplace fire data captures fires in education premises as a distinct category. In 2024/25:
- 417 fires in education premises — the fifth largest workplace fire category by volume
- Education fires have remained broadly stable over recent years, with no dramatic upward or downward trend
The broader picture from educational research is more striking. The National Foundation for Educational Research figure of 1,400 to 1,800 school fires per year captures the full range of fire incidents including smaller fires that do not require five fire engines or result in a fatality — the threshold for MHCLG's "primary fire" classification.
Causes of School Fires
School fires divide into three broadly equal groups:
Arson is consistently identified as a leading cause of school fires — and arguably the most damaging category given that deliberately set fires tend to be set in areas designed to maximise damage (roof spaces, storerooms, assembly halls), often outside school hours when no one is present to raise the alarm. Schools are attractive arson targets: they are publicly known locations, often have limited out-of-hours security, and contain large open spaces and combustible materials.
Electrical faults are a primary cause across all building types and schools are no exception. School buildings — many of which are ageing, with electrical infrastructure that has not been comprehensively updated — carry the same electrical fire risk as other old commercial buildings. Science laboratories, DT workshops, and ICT suites all involve high-density electrical equipment, some of which operates in environments that accelerate electrical deterioration.
Kitchen fires are a significant cause in schools that operate on-site catering facilities. School kitchens face the same cooking-related fire hazards as any commercial kitchen — cooking fat fires, extraction system grease accumulation, and high-temperature equipment used by staff under production pressure.
Why Only 2% of Schools Have Sprinklers
The statistic that only 2% of fire-affected schools had sprinkler systems is particularly striking given the evidence that sprinklers are the most effective available measure for limiting fire damage in buildings.
The UK government has acknowledged the case for sprinklers in schools — Scottish and Welsh building regulations now require sprinklers in new school buildings, and England has strengthened guidance. But the vast majority of existing school buildings — built before modern sprinkler requirements — are unprotected.
The case for retrofitting sprinklers in high-risk schools (particularly those with identified arson risk, older buildings, or poor compartmentation) is strong on cost-benefit grounds: the cost of a school sprinkler system is a fraction of the average cost of rebuilding a fire-damaged school, and the educational disruption caused by even a partial fire can run to years.
Legal Requirements for School Fire Safety
Schools have comprehensive fire safety obligations under multiple legislative frameworks:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: The primary fire safety legislation, applying to all non-domestic premises. The responsible person for the school — typically the headteacher, governing body, or academy trust depending on the school type — must conduct a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, implement appropriate precautions, and provide fire safety information and training to all staff.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Imposes the overarching employer duty to provide a safe working environment — including protection from fire risk — for all employees.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989: Require all electrical systems to be maintained to prevent danger — covering both fixed wiring (via EICR testing) and portable appliances (via PAT testing).
Ofsted: While Ofsted does not directly inspect fire safety, its broader safety inspection remit means that significant fire safety failings identified by fire and rescue services can feature in Ofsted assessments of leadership and management effectiveness.
Fire Drills: What the Law Requires
The RRO requires appropriate fire drills — but does not specify a fixed minimum frequency. Guidance for schools suggests:
- At least one fire drill per term (three per year) in most school settings
- More frequent drills where risk assessment identifies elevated risk
- Drills should include all staff and all pupils
- Records of drills — date, time, number of occupants, evacuation time, and any issues identified — must be maintained
Schools also face specific challenges in fire drill design that other workplaces do not: pupils (particularly young children) may not understand alarm signals or follow instructions in the way adult workers do; pupils with special educational needs may require individual evacuation support; and the management of large numbers of children in outdoor assembly areas requires specific crowd management protocols.
Written by Fire Safety Experts
This guide was produced by the team at Fire Marshal Training, a UK provider of RoSPA and CPD-accredited fire safety training. Our fire marshal courses are appropriate for school business managers, site managers, and designated fire marshals in education settings — equipping them to manage fire emergencies involving hundreds of children effectively and safely. For related data see our Fire Statistics UK: The Definitive Guide, Workplace Fire Statistics UK, Arson Statistics UK, and Fire Safety Prosecution Statistics UK.
