A Simple Guide to UK Fire Alarm Regulations

Published By Peter Davies - Friday 30th January- 2026 

A Simple Guide to UK Fire Alarm Regulations

What Schools, Academies & Community Venues Need to Know

UK fire alarm regulations can often feel complex — especially if you’re not a fire safety professional. With legislation, British Standards, contractors, and different responsibilities involved, it’s easy for confusion to creep in.

At Premises Management Group Surrey (PMGS), we believe fire safety should be clear, practical, and understood by the people responsible on site. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide to help schools, academies, MATs, and community venues understand the latest UK fire alarm legislation and what it means in practice.

The Legal Framework: The Fire Safety Order 2005

Fire alarm regulations in England and Wales sit within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO).

The RRO applies to almost all non-domestic premises, including:

• Schools and academies
• SEN bases and nurseries
• Community and leisure venues
• Offices and shared buildings
• Out-of-hours and hired spaces

Rather than being overly prescriptive, the RRO is risk-based. This means fire safety measures — including fire alarms — must be appropriate to the building, its use, and the people inside it.

Who Is the “Responsible Person”?

The RRO places legal responsibility on the Responsible Person.

This is typically:

• The employer
• The building owner
• The premises or estates manager
• The organisation in control of the building

In schools and academies, this responsibility is often shared across:

• The Headteacher or Trust
• The Premises / Estates Team
• Out-of-hours duty holders

⚠️ Crucially, this responsibility cannot be passed on.

Even if contractors are used for servicing or monitoring, accountability under the RRO remains with the premises.

What Does the Law Require for Fire Alarms?

Under the Fire Safety Order, the Responsible Person must ensure that:

🔔 A Suitable Fire Detection & Alarm System Is in Place

The system must be appropriate for:

• The building’s size and layout
• The level of risk
• The number and type of occupants

Its purpose is simple: detect fire early and warn people quickly so they can evacuate safely.

🛠 The Fire Alarm System Is Properly Maintained

This includes:

• Regular user testing (typically weekly)
• Planned servicing by a competent contractor
• Prompt investigation of faults
• Avoiding long-term silencing or “workarounds”

A fire alarm that frequently faults or is ignored becomes a risk, not a safeguard.

📘 Clear Procedures & Records Are in Place

Schools and venues should have:

• Clear procedures for activations and false alarms
• Out-of-hours response plans
• Trained staff or duty holders who know what to do
• Accurate records for audits and inspections

Fire safety is only effective when people understand the system, not just when paperwork exists.

Do Fire & Rescue Services Reset Fire Alarm Panels?

This is one of the most common misunderstandings we see.

🚒 Fire & Rescue Services attend to protect life and make a scene safe.

They do not normally reset fire alarm panels once the incident is over.

Why?

• Resetting may erase critical fault or activation data
• It could hide unresolved system issues
• Responsibility under the RRO remains with the premises

🔑 Resetting the panel should be carried out by:

• The Responsible Person
• A trained on-site duty holder
• Or the fire alarm maintenance contractor

Understanding this avoids confusion during incidents — particularly out of hours.

What About British Standards (BS 5839)?

While the RRO is the law, most fire alarm systems are designed and maintained in line with BS 5839.

This British Standard covers:

• System design
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Maintenance and testing

You don’t need to know the standard inside out — but you do need confidence that your system and contractors comply with it.

Why This Matters for Schools & Community Spaces

Schools are complex environments:

• Large numbers of occupants
• Changing daily routines
• After-hours lettings and events
• Shared responsibility across teams

Fire alarms are not just compliance tools — they are life-safety systems.

Poor understanding can lead to:

• Delayed responses
• Confusion during activations
• Repeated false alarms
• Increased risk and liability

Good fire alarm management creates:

• Clear accountability
• Confident staff responses
• Safer buildings
• A stronger safety culture

PMGS View: Simplicity Creates Safety

At Premises Management Group Surrey, we believe effective fire safety isn’t about complexity — it’s about clarity.

If your fire alarm system:

• Is appropriate for the building
• Is properly maintained
• Is understood by the people responsible

Then you are already doing the right thing.

Fire safety works best when it is practical, understood, and embedded into daily operations — not treated as a tick-box exercise.

Premises Management Group Surrey

Supporting schools, academies, and community venues with practical, people-focused fire safety and premises management.