An approximate average of 500 fires occur in the educational buildings in the UK each year. Although most are extinguished before they cause widespread damage or harm to students and staff, schools and colleges can be more prone to fire risks than many other building types. With complex electrical networks, flammable materials in science labs (plus a complex gas supply network) and large open spaces for classrooms and communal areas, there is always a chance of fire incidents occurring. Furthermore, Martyn’s Law – the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – that was recently passed into law, requires schools to outline an emergency plan to take during a major incident to help save lives and minimise risk.
According to the Fire Industry Association, a series of risks in schools, such as a chemical spill or a potential attack, could require students and staff to lockdown rather than evacuate the building. However, while fire alarms are typically loud and recognisable, lockdown alerts are usually shorter and more discreet, so as to not trigger panic.
This is why Hyfire’s advanced wireless systems are an ideal choice to ensure the safety of educational buildings. Along with Hyfire’s Taurus wireless fire alarms, Hyfire now offers blue manual call points, especially designed to alert people in case of a non-fire related emergency.
Guidelines around Schools
Like all public buildings, educational facilities must undergo fire risk assessments that address potential fire hazards, risks to occupants, mitigation measures, emergency actions, and staff training requirements. What sets educational buildings apart are the specific regulations outlined in Building Bulletin 100: Design for Fire Safety in Schools. Published by the Department for Education, this document addresses the unique fire safety needs of educational settings.
Building Bulletin 100 applies to a wide range of institutions, including nurseries, primary and secondary schools, academies, free schools, special schools, and pupil referral units. It serves as an education-specific supplement to BS 5839 Part 1, the standard for designing and installing fire alarm systems. Recognising that schools are primarily occupied by children—who may need more guidance during emergencies—the document emphasizes that fire alarm systems should first alert staff, allowing them to assess the situation, contact emergency services, and decide whether to evacuate students. Audible and visual alarms are considered a last resort to prevent panic.
The bulletin also outlines different considerations for various educational settings. For example, the fire safety needs of a mainstream school differ from those of a special education facility or kindergarten. While protecting students is the top priority, the guidance also highlights the importance of safeguarding academic records and critical areas such as science laboratories.
The Benefits of Wireless Technology
While the majority of the UK’s educational buildings were constructed from the 1960s onwards, with infrastructure in place to support cable installations, a significant number of older buildings, some dating back to the Victorian era, remain in use. These historic structures are often poorly suited to modern wired fire alarm systems, especially where access to voids such as attics or false ceilings is limited. In such cases, cabling must run along corridor walls, which can be unsightly, difficult to install or replace, and prone to collecting dust, an important concern in educational settings.
In these environments, the benefits of wireless fire detection systems are clear. They minimise disruption to the building’s structure and day-to-day operations, while offering a more flexible and less invasive solution. Once system requirements are determined by specialists, using digital tools to identify the optimal placement of devices, installation can typically be completed in just minutes. This approach not only reduces downtime and inconvenience but also lowers installation and post-installation restoration costs.
Additionally, if temporary classroom spaces are introduced, for example, modular buildings placed in a car park, it is both practical and cost-effective to integrate them into the main fire alarm system. Wireless technology makes this possible quickly and easily, even when the primary system is hardwired.
Hyfire’s New Blue Call Points
The blue variant of the Taurus Wireless Manual Call Point – Type B (TAU-B-CP-RB-01/B and TAU-WCP-RB-01/B) offers a practical and effective solution for use in schools where a clear visual distinction is needed between emergency fire alarms and other critical alerts. In educational environments, this blue version can be used for non-fire-related emergencies such as lockdowns, medical incidents, or site-specific alerts that require immediate staff response without triggering full evacuation procedures.
Its wireless design ensures easy installation with minimal disruption to school operations, while the waterproof model enables reliable performance in outdoor areas such as playgrounds or temporary classrooms. With long battery life and compatibility across all Taurus Translator and Expander Modules, the blue manual call point provides a robust and versatile addition to a school’s safety infrastructure.
Wireless fire devices have evolved significantly since their early adoption in the 2000s, transitioning from a niche option to a widely accepted, cost-effective alternative to traditional wired systems. When factoring in installation and remedial costs, wireless solutions can often be more economical overall. For UK educational buildings—many of which face pressure to enhance fire safety without disrupting daily operations or straining already limited budgets—wireless systems offer a practical, efficient, and minimally disruptive approach to compliance and protection.