What are the best fire alarms for schools, colleges and universities?

When selecting the best fire alarms for schools, colleges, and universities, safety, reliability, compliance, and scalability are essential.

In the UK, colleges and schools are more similar to each other than universities. This is because they share many operational and structural characteristics. Their buildings are usually smaller, consisting of classrooms, workshops, and common areas, without the extensive range of specialist facilities often seen in universities. Because of these differences, there’s no one-size-fits-all for the educational sector.

Let’s look at how a school fire alarm system differs from other educational settings like universities.

Types of fire alarm systems for schools, universities and colleges

Fire alarms in schools and colleges tend to be simpler, standard addressable or conventional systems focused on clear, audible alerts for swift evacuation under the supervision of teachers and other staff members. These alarms rarely require advanced features like voice alarms, complex networking, or integration with mass notification systems.

Universities, on the other hand, generally operate larger, multi-building campuses with diverse spaces like residential halls, large lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries, and social venues. Therefore, a university fire alarm set-up necessitates the need for more sophisticated, networked systems, often with voice evacuation features, integration with security and communication systems, and compliance with additional standards like BS 5839-6 for student accommodation.

Fire alarm compliance standards for educational buildings

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is a law that governs fire safety. It applies to any non-domestic building, including those used for educational purposes. The order requires schools to have fire alarms, training, drills, etc.

The BS 5839 series is a set of British Standards that provide detailed guidance on the design, installation, and maintenance of fire alarm and voice alarm systems tailored to different building types.

In short, the law requires fire safety and effective fire alarm systems to protect people, while the standards focus on the best way to design, install, and maintain those systems to make sure they work properly.

Here’s how the standards differ according to the educational setting:

For ongoing compliance, schools, colleges, and universities should review their systems against the new requirements of BS 5839-1:2025, especially regarding sleeping areas, zone plans, and lockdown alarms.

Maintenance of fire alarms in schools

Schools, colleges and universities are considered ‘high-risk’ settings because of factors like high occupancy levels. In schools and colleges, there is also an aspect of vulnerability, given that the occupants are minors who may not respond quickly or appropriately in emergency situations.

It is considered best practice and forms part of legal compliance under broader UK fire safety legislation to conduct regular weekly tests of manual call points, with a full fire alarm system inspection and servicing by a competent engineer at least every six months, as guided by BS 5839-1.

Is your fire alarm system right for your setting?

Choosing the right system isn’t just a technical decision or legal responsibility; it can be a matter of life and death. Institutions should work with certified fire safety professionals to make sure that they choose a system that’s fit for purpose, compliant, and scalable.

At FireCare, we support schools, colleges, and universities with expert consultation and the installation and maintenance of fire alarm systems.

No matter where you are in Hampshire, one of our experts will come out and ensure you’re equipped with what you need to keep your setting safe and compliant. Get in touch.