Refuge Areas

An area identified as a 'safe refuge' must be located within an identified fire-protected area and must be clearly signed.  If you are unsure whether the area is fire-protected, then you must presume that it is not and other advice must be sought from the provider of your fire risk assessment.

The Refuge Area is only to be used as a meeting point until sufficient help from trained staff arrives to ensure the pupil's safe evacuation.  This is not the responsibility of the fire service.  Under no circumstances should a pupil be left unattended in this area.

The staff involved in supporting a disabled pupil to evacuate the building in an emergency will usually be the pupil’s support staff and others who work in the curriculum areas in the pupil’s timetable.  Schools should not plan for staff to re-enter a building to assist in an evacuation.