HARDWARE & SECURITY
Paving a Safe Path for Students
Sue Corrick of Allegion UK reviews the critical nature of escape routes in school buildings and how fire door hardware plays a role in keeping students safe and emergency exits functional.
» WHETHER IT’ S THE END OF THE DAY or end of term, when schools close, it’ s not unusual to see children and staff alike scrambling out the doors as they head for a much needed period of relaxation. Though, more vital than finding an exit for a break is the need to safely and swiftly evacuate school premises when an emergency situation arises.
When fire breaks out in a school building, every second counts. Panic and emergency escape routes provide a direct path to safety and are critical in minimising risk and the time spent evacuating, and as a result, are highly regulated in educational facilities as
per the Regulatory Reform( Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Building Bulletin 100( BB100). Accordingly, designated panic and emergency routes must be highlighted with concise signage, remain clear at all times and contain fully compliant and operational fire exit doors- which are recognised as the final point of escape.
During term time, when a school is at its busiest, staff, students and visitors must be confident in locating and traversing their nearest emergency exit route at any given time.
Regular fire drills, evacuation plans and staff training can play a critical part in ensuring the effective use of escape routes in schools, though, often overlooked is the important detail of exit hardware. Where neglected routes can turn a manageable emergency into a potentially dangerous situation, duty holders are urged to recognise the importance of functional fire exits and how exit hardware keeps them operational.
Unique challenges and solutions
School buildings are often more complex than they first appear. Between sprawling corridors, high-traffic communal areas and frequent transitions between classrooms, halls and outdoor areas, there are various challenges and vulnerabilities to consider when it comes to fire safety and the accessibility of escape routes.
Fire is an unpredictable danger for any facility, made more apparent in school buildings by the presence of flammable materials- such as art supplies, paper and chemical substances in science labs, for example. In some schools, arson also remains a real concern, further elevating the chance of fire and reinforcing the need for effective emergency escape routes and operational fire exit doors. In any case, escape routes must not only be compliant but robust enough to support an orderly evacuation under duress, and for that, correctly specified, installed and maintained fire exit hardware is key.
Sources: https:// www. legislation. gov. uk / uksi / 2005 / 1541 / contents, https:// www. gov. uk / government / consultations / building-bulletin-100-fire-safety-design-for-schools,
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SEPTEMBER 2025
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