Schools present unique fire safety challenges — from RAAC-affected structures to arson risk and complex evacuation needs. This guide covers BB100 compliance and practical fire safety management.. The Scale of School Fires in the UK UK schools experience approximately 1,300 fires per year — one of the highest rates of any building type. While fatalities are rare (thanks largely to fires occurring outside school hours), the impact on communities is devastating: disrupted education, lost resources, and psychological trauma for children and staff. Arson accounts for approximately 50% of school fires, making schools one of the most deliberately targeted building types in the country. BB100: The Design Standard Building Bulletin 100 (BB100) is the Department for Education's guidance on fire safety design for school buildings. It covers: Means of escape design including travel distances and exit widths Compartmentation requirements between different parts of the school Fire detection and alarm specification Structural fire resistance requirements Internal fire spread — surface finishes and reaction to fire External fire spread — including the interface with the combustible cladding ban Key BB100 Requirements Detection: L2 detection minimum (escape routes and high risk rooms). Many schools now install L1 (all areas) for enhanced protection. Alarm: Sounder coverage throughout, with voice alarm systems increasingly specified for large or complex schools. Sprinklers: BB100 recommends sprinklers in all new schools. In practice, this recommendation is frequently followed, though it remains guidance rather than a mandatory requirement in England. Escape: Maximum travel distances of 18m (single direction) or 45m (alternative directions) in school buildings. The RAAC Crisis The discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in school buildings has created significant fire safety implications: RAAC panels may fail catastrophically without warning — particularly concerning during a fire Buildings with RAAC may require enhanced fire protection to compensate for structural uncertainty Evacuation strategies may need revision to account for potential structural failure Temporary classrooms used while RAAC remediation occurs present their own fire safety challenges Schools with known RAAC should commission specialist fire safety assessments that consider the structural implications. Arson Prevention Given that arson is the primary cause of school fires, prevention measures are critical: CCTV coverage of building perimeters and vulnerable areas Security fencing to restrict access outside school hours Bin storage away from buildings (bins are the most common ignition point) Intruder alarm systems linked to monitoring centres Combustible material management — removing unnecessary storage from building perimeters Community engagement — schools in areas with high arson rates should engage with local fire services and community safety partnerships Practical Fire Safety Management Fire Drills Minimum termly fire drill (at least once per term) At least one drill per year should be unannounced Drills should test different scenarios (blocked exits, different times of day) Records must be maintained Involve pupils with disabilities in drill planning Staff Training All staff: fire awareness training at induction and annually Fire wardens: enhanced training including use of extinguishers and sweep procedures Site staff: detailed training on fire alarm system operation and emergency procedures Supply teachers and contractors: site specific induction including fire procedures Vulnerable Pupils Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for pupils with mobility impairments Sensory impairment considerations (deaf pupils may not hear alarms; visual alarms or vibrating pagers) Autistic pupils may need specific support during evacuations Pupils with medical conditions affecting their ability to evacuate independently For school fire safety assessments and BB100 compliance advice, contact Magnus Opifex.