Checklist for education settings: closing down for Christmas

The excitement for the festive period has begun and you need to start preparing to close your school or academy for the holidays. Although you’ll be eager to shut up shop and spend time with your loved ones, it’s important you’ve done all the necessary checks before you pack up.

Having robust fire and electrical safety checks is a must in any kind of education setting to protect vulnerable children and staff alike.

A study* found that of 1,000 schools inspected, 66% were rated as having ‘poor’ fixed fire protections systems, such as sprinklers. These are proven to significantly reduce the damage caused by fire. Just 14% of the schools studied were rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

An additional 24% were judged ‘poor’ for fire detection measures, such as smoke detectors and fire alarms.

Firefighters have been called to nearly 2,000 school blazes the last three years alone. Malfunctioning appliances or equipment, faulty electrics, arson, and kitchen blazes are among the leading causes of school fires.

To make sure you’ve covered absolutely everything before shutting your school for Christmas, our Fire & Electrical experts have created this checklist so you can fully relax during the holidays.

Closing your school checklist

• Ensure all non-essential items like lamps, kettles, TVs, projectors are switched off
• Ensure all extension leads and sockets are switched off
• Check for any visual signs of wear and tear to any of your electrical equipment
• Make sure Christmas decorations aren’t blocking fire or alarm sensors – ideally all Christmas decorations should be removed before the school closes
• Ensure staff take their personal Christmas decorations home with them
• Check your Christmas lights have had their yearly PAT test
• Make sure your Fire Risk Assessment is updated
• Ensure your appointed person is equipped to act if a fire alarm is activated
• Check the training of all your fire marshals
• Check to make sure no doors are propped open
• Make sure all fire doors are closed so in the unlikely event of a fire, it’s less likely to spread quickly
• Ensure there is no obstruction to one-way systems
• Tidy away all flammable/combustible materials
• Shut and lock all doors and windows
• Empty all waste skips, rubbish bins, and recycling bins
• Appoint a member of staff who will walk and visually inspect the premises once the last person leaves your setting.
• Check that all your paperwork regarding fire drills are up to date

How we can help

We are a trusted, nationwide provider for all your fire and electrical safety needs.

Our end goal is to make sure your setting is safe and you’re meeting your legal obligations, but it doesn’t stop there. We also offer ongoing checks on all your fire safety equipment and electrical measures – so you have peace of mind that you’re in good hands.

We pride ourselves on providing our clients with a 100% reliable service. We uphold rigorous standards, and our processes are audited to make sure that you receive the same quality service every time. We know our stuff and we’re here to put your mind at ease from the very start. To make sure you shut your premises correctly for the holidays, contact our service team here.

References;

Study* https://www.zurich.co.uk/news-and-insight/schools-twice-as-likely-as-other-buildings-to-be-hit-by-a-blaze

Firefighters have been called to nearly 2,000 school blazes* https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-statistics