Fire safety legislation is often complicated and many people are unaware of their legal duties. In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic (or commercial) premises such as schools.
Unfortunately each year in England and Wales more than 1,300 schools suffer fires large enough for the Fire and Rescue Service to be called out, with costs estimated at over £60 million. Each premise must have a fire risk assessment.
In particular the person carrying out the fire risk assessment must identify and reduce the fire risk by managing fire safety procedures, taking account of those particularly at risk; fire drills, evacuation and training; means of escape, signs, notices and emergency lighting; fire protection equipment and fire door maintenance.
