
A Fire Risk Assessment required in a Nursery or Creche in the United Kingdom
Yes. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for a nursery or crèche in the United Kingdom.
Nurseries and crèches are non-domestic premises. The “responsible person” (usually the employer, owner, registered provider or person with control of the premises) must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and put in place the necessary fire precautions.England and WalesThe main law is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It applies to all nurseries and crèches.
Since 1 October 2023 the recording exemption for small employers was removed by the Building Safety Act 2022. Every responsible person must now record the fire risk assessment and the fire safety arrangements, regardless of how few staff are employed.
In England the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework adds specific requirements:
Official guidance that explicitly includes crèches is the Home Office document Fire safety risk assessment: educational premises. Many assessors also use the Small and Medium Places of Assembly guide.
ScotlandThe Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require a fire safety risk assessment of relevant premises, which includes childcare and educational settings. Recording of significant findings is required where there are Zero or more employees, the premises are licensed or registered, or an alterations notice is in force In Northern Ireland .The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 impose equivalent duties on the appropriate person for non-domestic premises. A written record is required if there are Zero or more employees or the premises are licensed or registered.What the assessment must consider in a nursery or crècheChildren (especially babies and toddlers) cannot evacuate themselves. The assessment must therefore be based on realistic staffing ratios rather than best-case numbers, and must address:
- An emergency evacuation procedure
- Appropriate fire detection and control equipment that is in working order
- Clearly identifiable fire exits
- Fire doors that are free of obstruction and can be opened easily from the inside
- Sleep rooms and nap times
- Evacuation equipment (cots, slings, etc.) and whether it will actually fit through routes
- Staffing levels at the lowest permitted ratio
- Security measures (keypads, magnetic locks, gates) that must release immediately without a code
- Children with additional needs (individual evacuation plans)
- Parents and visitors at handover times
- Shared premises (co-operation with other responsible persons)
CALL 0800 776 5018 to obtain a price for a Fire Risk Assessment ot to book an appointment . Email : sales@fireinspector.co.uk
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