Education: Compliance equirements for schools

Fire Safety & Electrical Compliance Services for Schools, Academies and Educational Premises

PAT-iT Ltd has supported schools, academies and educational establishments throughout Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands for many years. We understand the unique challenges of working within educational environments and always plan our work to minimise disruption to pupils, teaching staff and visitors.

Our engineers regularly work within nurseries, infant schools, primary schools, secondary schools, academies, colleges, universities, training centres and private education facilities. We are happy to comply with DBS requirements where needed and work closely with site managers, estates teams, business managers and Health & Safety representatives.

Education Compliance Services

Educational establishments have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for pupils, staff and visitors. PAT-iT Ltd provides a full range of compliance services including:

PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing)
Electrical Equipment Testing
Fire Extinguisher Servicing & Supply
Emergency Lighting Testing
Fire Alarm Inspection & Maintenance
Fire Door Inspections
Fire Risk Assessment Support (via trusted partners)
Microwave Leakage Testing

Working Around the School Calendar

We plan all works around the school calendar to minimise disruption. Most schools prefer visits during half-term breaks, inset days or summer holidays. Larger academies and trusts may require phased or scheduled programmes throughout the year.

Risk-Based Compliance Approach

We support a risk-based approach to testing and inspection. Not all equipment requires annual testing. Using your risk assessment and relevant guidance, we help determine appropriate inspection frequencies to avoid unnecessary cost while maintaining safety compliance.

Relevant guidance may include the IET Code of Practice, HSG107, BS 50699, BS 5306, BS 5266, BS 5839, BS EN 671 and other applicable British Standards depending on the service.

Why Schools Choose PAT-iT Ltd

Established in 2010
Three-time British Standards Institution (BSI) Award Winner
DBS-aware working practices
Digital certification and reporting
Online customer portal access
Experience across schools, academies and colleges
Multi-service compliance provider
Risk-based recommendations rather than unnecessary testing

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should fire extinguishers be serviced in schools?

Fire extinguishers should typically be serviced annually in accordance with BS 5306. Schools may also require regular visual inspections to ensure equipment remains accessible, undamaged and correctly mounted.

How often should emergency lighting be tested in educational buildings?

Emergency lighting should undergo a monthly functional test and an annual full discharge test, typically lasting 3 hours, in line with BS 5266 requirements.

How often should PAT Testing be carried out in schools?

PAT Testing frequencies should be based on risk assessment rather than a fixed legal interval. Many schools choose annual testing for operational convenience, but requirements may vary depending on equipment type and usage.

Do fire alarms in schools need regular testing?

Yes. Fire alarm systems require weekly testing of manual call points and regular inspection and servicing in accordance with BS 5839 to ensure full system reliability.

Can multiple fire and electrical compliance services be completed in one visit?

Yes. Combining PAT Testing with fire extinguisher servicing, emergency lighting testing and fire alarm inspections reduces disruption to the school day and improves efficiency.

Do schools need to consider fire door inspections?

Yes. Fire doors should be regularly inspected to ensure they close correctly, maintain integrity and comply with fire safety requirements, particularly in corridors and high-risk areas.