In a year where compliance standards are tightening and funding windows are closing fast, fire safety and asbestos remain two of the most urgent—and consistently overlooked—priorities in school estates planning.
In Brief
- 62% of schools report fire safety or asbestos as unresolved risks
- Legal duties require schools to document and act on these hazards
- Funding is available via CIF, SCA, DFC—especially for bundled risk works
- Summer 2025 offers a vital window for works before next year’s inspections and audits
Why Fire Safety and Asbestos Now?
In our recent survey of over 4,500 schools and trusts, two issues emerged as the most commonly reported compliance concerns:
| Concern | % of Schools Flagging It |
| Fire safety systems overdue or under-resourced | 62% |
| Outdated or incomplete Asbestos Management Plans | 58% |
| Lack of staff confidence in emergency procedures | 47% |
| Uncertainty around funding eligibility | 41% |
These risks are rarely high on public agendas—but they sit at the core of school safety, compliance, and accountability.
Are You Inspection-Ready? (Quick Self-Check)
| Risk Area | Are You Compliant? |
| Fire risk assessment is less than 2 years old | ✅ / ❌ |
| Asbestos Register is updated, accessible, and used | ✅ / ❌ |
| All staff have received refresher training on fire/ACMs | ✅ / ❌ |
| You log drills, incidents, and inspections digitally | ✅ / ❌ |
| You have a 2025 capital plan for fire/asbestos risks | ✅ / ❌ |
Fire Safety in 2025: A Rising Risk Profile
Outdated or inconsistent systems persist across many school sites:
- Non-compliant or broken fire doors
- Alarms not connected across new blocks or mobile units
- Limited staff role clarity during evacuations
- Out-of-date Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
Legal Reminder:
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 mandate:
- Current fire risk assessments
- Clear mitigation logs and system checks
- Transparent documentation for inspection or insurance
Leadership alert:
“Inspectors, insurers, and HSE spot-check teams are flagging unlogged fire checks and outdated evacuation plans as leadership-level failures, not just facilities issues.”
Asbestos in 2025: A Quiet Threat That Still Exists
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) still exist in thousands of school sites—often out of sight, and out of mind. Common locations include:
- Pipe lagging in boiler rooms
- Ceiling voids, wall panels, and floor insulation
- Electrical risers and older window frames
Where schools fall short:
- Asbestos Registers are out of date, missing, or unused
- Cleaning/site staff unaware of ACM proximity
- Contractors work near risk zones without pre-task briefings
Legal Reminder:
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require:
- A current, visible Asbestos Management Plan
- Training for anyone who might disturb asbestos
- Logbooks and signage for all ACMs on site
What Schools Are Doing Now
- A Devon secondary migrated its asbestos register into a QR-scannable mobile app for all contractors.
- A Midlands MAT paired fire and asbestos re-surveys into one CIF bid, saving cost and increasing approval odds.
- A London primary began logging fire drill response times and using them to update pupil support plans.
Funding Routes to Act
| Fund | Supports | Applies To |
| Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) | Doors, alarms, asbestos removal | Eligible academies |
| School Condition Allocation (SCA) | Cross-site risk projects | MATs and LAs |
| Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) | Surveys, signage, minor works | All schools |
| Emergency Capital (LA/DfE) | Post-inspection urgent repairs | Case-by-case |
Funding tip:
Bundle fire + asbestos into a single risk-mitigation bid. Prioritise works tied to inspections or identified via audit.
Strategic Guidance for MATs and LAs
If you’re part of a trust or LA, ensure:
- Each site’s fire and asbestos compliance data is centrally visible
- Training schedules and assessment dates are tracked in one system
- Your capital planning includes a cross-site risk mitigation line, not just condition works
Trusts using live dashboards are reporting:
- Faster responses to flagged hazards
- Stronger CIF/SCA bids
- Improved confidence among governors and insurers
Leadership Briefing Line for Governors
“Our school’s current fire safety and asbestos status requires review. National guidance and funding routes are available, and summer 2025 offers a key window to close outstanding risks.”
Final Thought
Fire and asbestos risks don’t grab headlines—but they still pose real harm and real reputational liability.
The best schools in 2025 aren’t reacting—they’re planning:
- With up-to-date evidence
- With confident, trained staff
- With smart capital investment
This isn’t about paperwork. It’s about protection—for everyone who walks through your gates.