Safely back to school with Spire

It’s a new term, a new year, and a good time as a head teacher or business manager to review your school fire safety and security systems. In 2026, the latest technology systems can offer more options beyond legal compliance, to make your school safer than ever before.

Fire safety compliance: the legal requirements

Schools have a responsibility to make sure everyone in the building is kept safe, including pupils, teachers, and support staff. School fire safety systems and equipment need to comply with under the Regulatory Reform; Fire Safety Order (FSO) 2005. 

The Fire Safety Act 2021 further amended that Order such that: 

Fire safety compliance and your school budget

Fire safety compliance is a school’s number one priority, but so is your budget. At Spire, we work with our school clients to help them get the maximum from their money. We work with their suppliers, and their caretaker / maintenance team, and offer our fixed priced contract, fixed for three years with no price increases. We also schedule all our planned maintenance visits (PPM) to suit your timetable and minimise disruption

Want to discuss your fire safety and security systems with a company that understands the challenges of school environments?

Contact us at Spire

• Call us
• Email us
• Request a quote

 

Better security for all schools

Security is an important part of everyday life for schools, including protecting the school property and buildings, and all those within. Our team combine expertise on comprehensive fire safety systems with years of experience installing access control systems and other security technologies, including CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and 24/7/365 remote monitoring. We can maintain and update both types of existing systems for your school under a single contract.

No time for fighting

With our experience and expertise in monitoring and surveillance for commercial premises, we can integrate the latest technology into your school premises to tackle three major concerns: 

• Valuable Digital Equipment

The increasing quantity and value of technology used in school, such as iPads, smart boards and servers makes any school an attractive place for thieves.

• Building Security:

Smart digital/electronic entry systems with integrated data security, for secure yet straightforward access. By carefully configuring these as wired systems, we can also help keep security systems protected from external hackers. 

• Vaping and Violent Behaviour

Monitoring non-teaching or secluded areas, including toilets, for anti-social behaviour such as fighting and banned activities such as vaping. 

Vaping in the toilets: the Halo system

For one headteacher we worked with, their school was facing a particular challenge with the pupils using vapes in the toilets. There were also rising numbers of concerning incidents taking place including bullying, fighting and verbal abuse.

Their main concern was that their staff could not patrol or monitor the toilets all the time, and they did not want to resort to locking facilities during or in between lessons. After talking through their concerns, and conducting a site survey of their school, we recommended the Halo smart sensor system.

The Halo smart sensor comprises multiple sensors in one, capable of:

• Detecting vape, smoke, THC and likenicotine.
• Detecting and alert staff to abnormal noise levels whether loud bullying, fighting or gun shots. 
• Alerts can be triggered by specific words such as “help”. 
• Critical events can trigger video alongside an alert, ideal for places where continuous video surveillance is not permitted. 
• The Halo system can also monitor environmental conditions including air quality, temperature, CO2 levels and more. 

Cloud data storage retained valuable data and insights into reports and trends, that helped all staff improve the school’s responses for the future. 

The school head was pleased to report that once pupils understood that their vaping was detectible, incidents of smoking and vaping inside the school premises markedly decreased. The swift response to aggressive behaviour by staff also created a growing pupil awareness of just how ‘smart’ the new sensors were, including potential video surveillance that could identify perpetrators, This reduced the number of incidents and restored the toilets to their proper function, with no need for locking or closure. 

How Spire can help your school today

Our focus is always on making fire and building security for your school straightforward yet effective in as many difference scenarios as possible, from a small fire in a lab to a major school-wide incident. 

To discuss your fire and security requirements:

• Call us
• Email us
• Book your free no obligation site survey

School fire safety and security FAQs

About the author

David Whiteside is both Founder and Managing Director of Spire. David has been involved in the Fire & Security industry for over 15 years, experiencing the services at all technical and project levels. With a keen eye for detail, a passion for quality of work and unparalleled customer service, David ensures Spire F&D delivers a service that meets and exceeds to the demands of any industry and sector.

SOURCES:

(1)
Noble, J. (2023, May 9). Do the fire doors in your school meet the required safety standards? UK Government Department for Education. https://buyingforschools.blog.gov.uk/2023/05/09/do-the-fire-doors-in-your-school-meet-the-required-safety-standards/

(2)
HALO Smart Sensors. (n.d.). About the HALO 3C/3C-PC smart sensor. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from https://halodetect.com/halo-3c-pc/