Schools are among the safest public buildings, but fires still happen.
NFPA estimates U.S. fire departments responded to about 3,230 school structure fires per year (2014–2018), causing injuries and millions in damage.
The leading sources are intentionally set fires and cooking equipment in cafeterias and home-economics areas.
Intentional fires account for roughly two in five school fires, while cooking is the top unintentional cause.
The good news: when schools follow clear plans, practice regular drills, and keep systems maintained, risk drops sharply.
Build And Use A Strong Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
Every school should have a living Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that is reviewed and trained on, not just filed away.
Federal school-safety experts recommend a six-step planning process: form a team, understand risks, set goals, develop/implement, train/exercise, and evaluate/improve.
This process was reaffirmed in 2024–2025 by the U.S. Department of Education’s REMS TA Center.
The plan must also spell out how the school will communicate with and assist students with disabilities and other access/functional needs during a fire or drill.
Several states now require this in school EOPs.
Key EOP must-haves (make these bold in your checklist):
- Clear evacuation routes posted in every room, with primary and secondary exits.
- Accountability procedures (roll call, buddy system).
- Roles for teachers, aides, administrators, custodial staff, and student leaders.
- Family reunification steps after evacuation.
- Training calendar and after-action reviews to update the plan.
Make Fire Drills Count: Frequency, Quality, Inclusivity
Most jurisdictions based on model codes require monthly fire drills while school is in session.
Some require two drills in the first 30 days of the school year to build muscle memory early.
Better drills, simple rules:
- Announce the purpose to reduce anxiety, but vary the scenario (blocked exit, different routes).
- Time and track the evacuation, then walk back through choke points.
- Include everyone—students with mobility, sensory, or cognitive disabilities must have individualized supports and practice them.
- Debrief immediately; log improvements for the next drill.
Classroom Controls That Prevent Fires
Most classroom incidents are preventable with day-to-day housekeeping:
- Keep exits and aisles clear—nothing blocking doorways or corridor paths.
- Limit combustible decorations in the corridors. Many codes, including NFPA 1/IFC-based rules adopted locally, cap artwork/teaching materials to no more than 20% of corridor wall area in unsprinklered schools (higher allowances in fully sprinklered buildings).
- Use power safely: avoid daisy-chaining power strips, check cords, unplug hot plates/toasters after use.
- Store flammables (e.g., solvents in labs) in approved cabinets; no open flames without explicit controls.
- Kitchen vigilance: because cooking equipment is a top unintentional cause, keep hoods, suppression, and staff training current.
Fire Protection Systems: What Staff Must Know
Fire extinguishers (NFPA 10 basics)
- Monthly visual inspections are required: is the extinguisher present, charged, unobstructed, and sealed? Schools should document these checks.
- Annual maintenance by a qualified technician is standard, with deeper 6- and 12-year service on many units.
- Training: Teach adults the PASS method—Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep—and stress only for small, incipient fires with a clear exit. Evacuate first if in doubt.
Alarms and education
Use age-appropriate lessons, drills, and tools. U.S. Fire Administration and partners provide free curricula (including fire-safety trailer modules) to make learning hands-on and memorable.
Student Skills That Save Lives
Teach simple, sticky behaviors and practice them often:
- Get low and go: smoke rises; crawl under smoke to the exit.
- Know two ways out of every room.
- Go to the meeting spot and never re-enter a building.
- Stop, Drop, and Roll is only for when clothes catch fire—it’s not a general fire response. This is the current emphasis in NFPA’s Learn Not to Burn curriculum.
High-Risk Areas: Labs, Kitchens, Theaters And Buses
- Science labs: enforce goggles, flame-proof coats when required, safe chemical storage, and teacher-controlled ignition sources.
- Cafeterias & culinary rooms: clean hoods/ducts, maintain suppression, train staff, and keep combustibles away from heat—because cooking equipment is a common unintentional cause.
- Theaters & stages: check drapes for flame resistance, keep exits marked and clear during performances.
- School buses: teach quick evacuation from multiple doors; drivers practice shut-off and radio protocols.
Quick-Reference-Daily To-Do For Fire-Safe Schools
| Area | What to do | Who’s responsible | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routes & maps | Post updated evacuation maps in every room; highlight two exits | Admin + Teachers | Each term / after changes |
| Drills | Conduct fire drills; vary routes; include all students | Admin + All staff | Monthly in session; 2 in first 30 days where required |
| Extinguishers | Monthly visual check (present, charged, accessible); record it | Facilities / Trained staff | Monthly; Annual service by technician |
| Corridor decor | Keep decorations within code limits; maintain clear egress | Teachers + Admin | Ongoing; before events |
| Kitchens | Clean hoods; test suppression; keep combustibles from heat | Food services + Facilities | Weekly checks; service per schedule |
| Lab safety | Secure chemicals; control ignition; PPE ready | Science staff | Daily + after labs |
| Student training | Teach Get low and go; Stop, Drop & Roll (clothing fire only) | Teachers | Age-appropriate lessons each term |
| After-action | Debrief after drills; update the EOP | Admin + Safety team | After every drill/exercise |
Roles And Responsibilities: Who Does What
Teachers
- Lead your class to the nearest safe exit, bring roster/roll-book, account for every student.
- Keep doors closed (but not locked from inside) after evacuation to slow smoke spread.
- Keep aisles and exits clear, limit combustibles, and report hazards quickly.
Students
- Follow directions, move calmly and quickly, and stay with your group.
- Learn the meeting spot and never return inside for belongings.
Administrators & Facilities
- Keep the EOP updated, schedule drills/training, ensure inspections (extinguishers, alarms, hoods), and coordinate with local fire departments for walkthroughs and education support.
Prepared schools are safer schools.
A current EOP, monthly drills, vigilant housekeeping, and consistent system maintenance keep students and staff out of harm’s way.
When adults model calm, practiced behavior and students learn age-appropriate skills—from “get low and go” to PASS and Stop, Drop, and Roll—the entire community becomes more resilient.
Make these practices part of everyday school culture, and you’ll protect lives when seconds count.
