Management Information Sheet

Review of Fire Risk Assessments

MI Sheet Type	Information
MI Number:	43/15
Publication Date:	02/01/2015 12:00:00
LA Contact:	HR Direct (01603 222212)
Audience:	Headteachers and Premises Managers
Links:	http://www.schoolspeoplenet.norfolk.gov.uk/Manager/Managing-health-safety-and-wellbeing/Health-and-safety/Incidents-and-emergencies/Fire-safety/index.htm

Review of Fire Risk Assessments

Fire Officers have visited around 30 Norfolk schools in recent months to check on fire safety arrangements. This MI sheet summarises the main findings from these advisory visits; revisions that have been made to fire policies and fire safety training; and actions schools need to take to review their fire safety management and training arrangements.

Fire Officers found a mix of good practice and areas in need of improvement. In most cases fire safety arrangements were of a good standard with schools able to show that they were managing fire safety effectively and had suitable understanding of key issues.

However, in some cases the headteacher â€“ the person with responsibility for fire safety at the premises - was not able to demonstrate a clear enough understanding of fire safety requirements and did not appreciate what poor provision would look like.

Also not all headteachers were making best use of fire plans provided by NPS when carrying out or reviewing their fire risk assessment and creating fire safety procedures for their premises.

We have reviewed our fire policies so that there is greater clarity on how the fire plan should be used to inform the fire risk assessment. The content of our fire safety training has also been refreshed in light of the above.

The Fire Risk Assessment policy (P607) and associated documents have been updated alongside fire safety risk assessment training â€“ part of Premises Management training.

Actions:

Headteachers/premises managers should review the adequacy of their fire safety provision with particular reference to the fire plan and fire safety guidance on Schoolsâ€™ PeopleNet at the next annual review of their fire risk assessment.

Headteachers/premises managers who have not attended the fire safety risk assessment element of Premises Management training (or the Premises Management refresher) should book on to relevant training by clicking the Health and Safety training Directory for Schools 2014-15 - under "Other resources" - Documents and Forms.