Education
Education DSEAR risk assessment expertise
We have provided DSEAR risk assessments for a wide range of education settings, including universities, schools, museums, specialist teaching facilities and wider estates operations across the UK.
These environments often involve flammable liquids, gases, compressed gas systems, combustible dusts and specialist storage areas, particularly within science departments, workshops, collections, arts facilities and maintenance operations. Our work focuses on identifying where hazardous zones may arise, confirming appropriate controls and helping education providers maintain safe, compliant environments.
University of Birmingham
The challengeBirmingham university has a number of areas on campus that routinely use and store hazardous substances; these include mechanical and chemical engineering and science departments. Some liquids and gases used are classified as flammable …
The Manchester Grammar School (MGS)
The challengeThe Manchester Grammar School has built an international reputation as one of the country’s leading schools. This DSEAR survey focusses on the areas and activities in the school where flammable substances and gases are …
Royal Holloway University of London
The challengeRoyal Holloway University of London campus at Egham, Surrey incorporates a range of science based courses; these include Bio Science, Geo Science, Physics and Earth Sciences. All are based on the main campus at …
National Museums Scotland
The challengeA visit was made to the Collections Centre of the National Museum of Scotland to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). These regulations came into force …
Bath Spa University
The challengeBath Spa University is relocating its School of Art and Design, and required advice around DSEAR for the planned move, along with input into the RIBA design stage. We were able to offer a …
The Highland Council
The challengeThe Highland Council is responsible for hundreds of commercial locations across the North of Scotland, and DSEAR RA was contacted in order to provide an external DSEAR audit at 9 of their most significant …
DSEAR risk assessments for schools, universities and specialist education environments
Education environments can present a surprisingly varied DSEAR risk profile. While many risks are associated with science teaching and research, they may also arise in workshops, grounds maintenance, specimen storage areas, arts facilities, plant rooms and estate-wide operational activities.
Typical risk areas include:
- Science laboratories and chemical stores
- Flammable gas and fuel storage
- Compressed gas systems and cylinders
- Workshops and fabrication areas
- Grounds maintenance and outdoor equipment storage
- Specialist arts and design studios
- Preserved specimen collections and alcohol storage
- Biomass systems, pellet handling and dust-producing processes
In these environments, flammable liquids, gases, mists and dusts may all create fire and explosion risks if storage, handling, ventilation and ignition controls are not adequate.
For many schools, colleges and universities, the issue is not the constant presence of large-scale hazardous operations, but the fact that dangerous substances may be used across multiple locations in smaller quantities, often with different users, procedures and levels of supervision. This makes clear risk assessment, suitable storage arrangements and practical procedural controls especially important.
Our DSEAR assessments consider how substances are used and stored across the site, where hazardous atmospheres may arise, whether ventilation and gas monitoring are sufficient, and where hazardous area classification is required. Where improvements are needed, these are set out in a clear, prioritised action plan to support safe ongoing use of the facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, where dangerous substances are used or stored and there is potential for fire or explosion risk. This commonly applies in science departments, workshops, maintenance areas and specialist teaching or research facilities.
No. DSEAR may also apply in grounds maintenance, boiler and plant areas, art and design spaces, specimen storage, workshops and other locations where flammable liquids, gases, dusts or mists are present.
Typical examples include flammable solvents, ethanol, laboratory gases, fuels, compressed gases, mists, combustible dusts and, in some specialist areas, preserved materials stored in alcohol or formalin-based systems.
It usually includes review of hazardous substances, storage arrangements, ventilation, gas controls, hazardous area classification where needed, and practical recommendations to improve safety and compliance.