Legislation

Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972

This Statutory Instrument consolidated and amended previous regulations prescribing the standards to which the premises of schools maintained by local education authorities were to conform. It also substituted metric units for the imperial measures used in previous regulations.

The text of the Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972 was prepared by Derek Gillard and uploaded on 3 March 2021.


Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972

© Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.


[page 1]

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

1972 No. 2051

EDUCATION, ENGLAND AND WALES

The Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972

Made      -     28th December 1972

Laid before Parliament      -     10th January 1973

Coming into operation      -     1st February 1973



ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS


PART I

GENERAL

1 Citation, commencement and interpretation
2 Application of regulations and revocations

PART II

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

3 Sites
4 Playing Fields
5 Teaching Accommodation
6 Storage of Teaching Apparatus, Equipment and Materials
7 Storage of Pupils' Outdoor Clothing
8 Sanitary Accommodation for Pupils
9 Washing Accommodation for Pupils
10 Staff Rooms
11 Cloakroom, Sanitary and Washing Accommodation for Adults
12 Facilities for Medical Inspection and Treatment
13 Storage Facilities for School Stocks, Maintenance Equipment, Furniture and Fuel
14 Accommodation for Meals

PART III

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

15 Sites
16 Playing Fields
17 Teaching Accommodation
18 Storage of Teaching Apparatus, Equipment and Materials


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19 Storage of Pupils' Outdoor Clothing and Belongings
20 Sanitary Accommodation for Pupils
21 Washing Accommodation for Pupils
22 Changing Rooms and Showers
23 Staff Rooms
24 Cloakroom, Washing and Sanitary Accommodation for Adults
25 Facilities for Medical Inspection and Treatment
26 Storage Facilities for School Stocks, Maintenance Equipment, Furniture and Fuel
27 Accommodation for Meals

PART IV

NURSERY SCHOOLS AND NURSERY CLASSES

28 Sites
29 Garden Playing Space
30 Playroom Accommodation
31 Storage of Children's Outdoor Clothing
32 Washing and Sanitary Accommodation for Children
33 Staff Room
34 Storage of Apparatus, Equipment and Fuel
35 Kitchen

PART V

SPECIAL SCHOOLS

36 Sites
37 Playing Fields
38 Teaching Accommodation
39 Sanitary and Washing Accommodation for Pupils
40 Other Accommodation

PART VI

BOARDING ACCOMMODATION

41 Sites
42 Dormitories and Cubicles
43 Washing and Sanitary Accommodation
44 Accommodation for Meals
45 Day Room Space
46 Sick Rooms
47 Staff Accommodation
48 Other Accommodation


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PART VII

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS AND BOARDING ACCOMMODATION

49 Structural Loadings
50 Protection against the Weather
51 Precautions for Health and Safety
52 Lighting
53 Ventilation and Heating
54 Acoustics
55 Water Supply
56 Gas and Electric Power
57 Washing and Sanitary Accommodation
58 Drainage and Sewage Disposal

SCHEDULE - Revocations

The Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Wales, in joint exercise of the powers conferred by section 10 of the Education Act 1944 (c. 31) and vested in them (S.I. 1964/490; 1970/1536 (1964 I, p. 800; 1970 III, p. 5289), hereby make the following regulations:-

PART I

GENERAL

1 Citation, commencement and interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972 and shall come into operation on 1st February 1973.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -

"approved" means approved by the Secretary of State;

"boarding accommodation" means any premises provided solely for the use of boarding pupils attending a school other than a nursery school;

"daylight factor" means the ratio of the illumination, including light reflected from interior and exterior surfaces, at a given point inside a building when measured on a horizontal plane at that point, to the illumination simultaneously existing on a horizontal plane under an unobstructed sky of uniform luminance;

"fittings" includes closets and urinal stalls;

"hard porous surface" means a loosely compacted surface, consisting of cinder-ash, brick dust, blaes or similar material or a bitumen bound surface, through which water can penetrate;


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"infant" means a child who has attained the age of five but has not attained the age of eight;

"infant school" means a school wholly or mainly for infants;

"internal area" means the area calculated by measuring from the internal faces of external walls to the centre line of internal walls and partitions;

"junior" means a child who has attained the age of eight but has not attained the age of twelve;

"junior school" means a school wholly or mainly for juniors;

"middle school" means a school in respect of which the Secretary of State has given a direction under section 1(2) of the Education Act 1964 (c. 82);

"nursery class" means a class in a primary school wholly or mainly for children who 'have attained the age of three but have not attained the age of five;

"paved area" means an area of land having a hard impervious surface constructed of materials such as tarmacadam or concrete ;

"primary school" includes a middle school to which children under the age of ten are admitted but does not include a special school;

"school" means a school maintained by a local education authority and a department of a school having a separate head teacher shall be treated as a school;

"secondary school" includes a middle school to which children under the age of ten are not admitted but does not include a special school;

"teaching accommodation" means all the internal space in a school so designed and equipped as to be suitable for teaching.

(3) References to the number of pupils are, as regards any school, references to the number of pupils for whom the school is designed; and where the context so requires "unit", in the expression "unit of pupils", includes part of a unit.

(4) In these regulations the abbreviations in the first column below are used to denote the expressions in the second column:-

hahectare
mmmillimetre
mmetre
square metre
cubic metre
cd/m²candela per square metre
CCelsius

(5) The Interpretation Act 1889 (c. 63) shall apply for the interpretation of these regulations as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.


[page 5]

2 Application of regulations and revocations

(1) Subject to these regulations -

(a) Part II applies to primary schools;

(b) Part III applies to secondary schools;

(c) Part IV applies to nursery schools and nursery classes;

(d) Part V applies to special schools;

(e) Part VI applies to boarding accommodation;

(f) Part VII applies to all schools and all boarding accommodation.

(2) The Standards for School Premises Regulations 1959 to 1972 (S.I. 1959/890, 1969/433, 1971/1553, 1972/1255 (1959 I, p. 1006; 1969 I, p. 1271; 1971 III, p. 4364; 1972 II, p. 3765) shall cease to have effect and accordingly the regulations specified in the schedule are hereby revoked.

PART II

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

3 Sites

(1)(a) Subject to sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) below the minimum area of the site shall be -

Number of pupilsha
Not more than 250.2
26-500.25
51-800.3

and for every additional unit of 40 pupils the minimum area shall be increased by 0.05 ha.

(b) In its application to a middle school to which children under the age of ten are admitted sub-paragraph (a) shall have effect subject to the addition to the minimum area of 0.05 ha for every unit of 60 pupils over the age of eleven.

(c) In its application to a primary school which contains a nursery class sub-paragraph (a) shall have effect subject to the addition to the minimum area of 0.1 ha and a further 0.05 ha for every unit of 20 pupils in excess of 40 in the class.

(2)(a) The site shall include a paved area, laid on suitable foundations, properly graded and drained.

(b) The minimum area of the paved area shall be -

(i) Infant schools

Number of pupils
Not more than 100300
101-280612
281-4001,032
401-4801,224


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(ii) Infant and Junior schools

Not more than 25300
26-80420
81-170612
171-2801,122
281-4401,734
441-4802,244

(iii) Junior schools

Not more than 140612
141-2801,122
281-3601,734
361-4802,244

(iv) Middle schools to which pupils under the age of ten are admitted

Not more than 140612
141-2801,122
281-3601,734
361-4202,244
421-6003,180
More than 6003,180
plus 465 for each unit of 150 pupils in excess of 600.

4 Playing Fields

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) below every school except an infant school shall have a playing field of the following minimum area -

(i) Junior Schools and Infant and Junior Schools

Number of junior pupilsha
Not more than 500.2
51-1200.4
121-2000.6
201-2800.9
More than 2801.2

(ii) Middle schools to which pupils under the age of ten are admitted

Number of pupils aged 8 and over
Not more than 1500.6
151-2000.9
201-2801.4
281-3201.8
321-4802.4
481-6002.8
More than 6003.4

(2) The minimum area of the playing fields may be reduced to such extent as may be approved for any school in whose case -

(a) the teaching accommodation includes an area designed for the playing of indoor games;

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(b) facilities for physical training and recreation elsewhere are made available.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation a field with a hard porous surface large enough for the playing of team games shall be reckoned as twice its area.

5 Teaching Accommodation

(1) The minimum internal area of the teaching accommodation shall be -

Number of pupils
Not more than 253.7 per pupil.
26-7593, plus 2.1 for each pupil in excess of 25
76-119227, plus 2 for each pupil in excess of 75
More than 119312, plus 1.575 for each pupil in excess of 120
plus 1.575 for each pupil in excess of 120

(2) This regulation does not apply to a middle school.

(3) Any part of the dining accommodation provided under regulation 14 which is designed also for teaching may be treated as forming part of the teaching accommodation for the purposes of this regulation.

6 Storage of Teaching Apparatus, Equipment and Materials

Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided, in or near the teaching accommodation, for the storage of apparatus, equipment and materials required for teaching.

7 Storage of Pupils' Outdoor Clothing

Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided for storing and drying pupils' outdoor clothing and for storing pupils' other belongings.

8 Sanitary Accommodation for Pupils

(1)(a) Closets shall be provided.

(b) Urinal stalls may be provided in a school attended by boys under 8 and shall be provided in a school attended by boys of 8 and over.

(2) The minimum number of fittings shall be -

(a) not more than 50 pupils: 2, and 2 for every unit of 40 pupils;

(b) more than 50 pupils: 4, and 2 for every unit of 40 pupils;

and in a school attended by boys not less than one-third of the number of fittings provided for them shall be closets.

9 Washing Accommodation for Pupils

The number of washbasins shall be not less than the number of fittings specified in regulation 8.


[page 8]

10 Staff Rooms

(1) A common room shall be provided for the teaching staff.

(2) In a school for more than 120 pupils a separate room shall be provided for the head teacher.

(3) A separate room shall be provided -

(a) in a school for 280 or more infants and juniors, for the teacher in charge of the infants;

(b) in a school for 320 or more juniors of both sexes, for the senior assistant teacher.

11 Cloakroom, Sanitary and Washing Accommodation for Adults

Sufficient and suitable cloakroom, washing and sanitary accommodation, separate from the accommodation provided for the pupils, shall be provided for the teaching staff and the staff engaged in the provision of milk, meals and other refreshments.

12 Facilities for Medical Inspection and Treatment

(1) Suitable accommodation shall be provided so as to be immediately available at any time during school hours for the inspection and treatment of pupils by doctors, dentists and nurses.

(2) Effective provision shall be made for securing sufficient and suitable lighting and heating.

(3) The accommodation shall be conveniently accessible to a closet, and every room shall include a washbasin with a supply of hot and cold water.

13 Storage Facilities for School Stocks, Maintenance Equipment, Furniture and Fuel

(1) Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided for the storage of stationery, materials, maintenance equipment and furniture.

(2) Separate and conveniently situated accommodation shall where necessary be provided for the storage of fuel.

14 Accommodation for Meals

(1) Accommodation designed for dining and available for so long as is necessary to prepare and serve the meal and clear up afterwards shall be provided.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the minimum area of the accommodation provided under paragraph (1) above shall be -

(a) where there are two sittings, 0.4m² per person; and

(b) where there is one sitting, 0.8m² per person.

(3) In its application to a middle school to which children under the age of ten are admitted paragraph (2) shall have effect subject to the substitution, in respect of each senior pupil, of references to 0.5m² and 1.0m² respectively for the references to 0.4m² and 0.8m².


[page 9]

(4) Sufficient and suitable kitchens shall be provided.

(5) If the meals are cooked off the school premises, sufficient accommodation shall be provided for receiving and serving the meals and for washing up.

PART III

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

15 Sites

(1) The minimum area of the site shall be -

Number of pupilsha
Not more than 1500.6
151-2100.7
211-3000.8
301-3600.9
361-4201.0
421-4501.2

and for every additional unit of 50 pupils the minimum area shall be increased by 0.1 ha.

(2)(a) The site shall include a paved or hard porous area, suitable for lawn tennis, net ball, basket ball or other appropriate games, laid on suitable foundations and properly graded and drained.

(b) The minimum area of the paved or hard porous area of a school for either boys or girls of not more than 180 pupils shall be 970m² and of any other school as follows:-

Number of pupils
Not more than 4201,850
421-6003,180
More than 6003,180,
plus 465 for every additional unit of 150 pupils

16 Playing Fields

(1) Every school shall have a playing field either separately or jointly with another school or schools.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this regulation the minimum area of the playing field under paragraph (1) above for any school or schools shall be as follows:-

Total Number of pupils ha

(a) Boys

Total number of pupilsha
Not more than 1501.8
151-3003.0

and for every additional unit of 150 pupils the area shall be increased 0.6 ha.


[page 10]

(b) Girls

Not more than 1501.6
151-3002.6
300-4503.4

and for every additional unit of 300 pupils the area shall be increased 1.2 ha.

(c) Boys and Girls

Not more than 1501.8
151-3002.8
300-6004.0

and for every additional unit of 300 pupils the area shall be increased 1.2 ha.

(3) The minimum area of the playing field may be reduced to such extent as may be approved for any school in whose case -

(i) approved facilities for regular instruction in swimming are provided;

(ii) buildings are provided for instruction in outdoor sports;

(iii) facilities for physical training and recreation elsewhere are made available.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation accommodation with a hard porous surface large enough for the playing of team games shall be reckoned as three times its area.

17 Teaching Accommodation

(1) The minimum internal area of the teaching accommodation shall be determined in accordance with the following table:-

Number of pupils under 16Area per pupil in m²
Under 1111 and 1213 and 1415 and over
Not more than 1503.724.655.20
151-3002.143.624.555.11
301-4502.04
451-5201.95
521-7001.863.534.465.02
701-8003.484.414.97
801-9003.394.324.88
901-1,0503.254.184.74
1,051-1,2003.214.134.69
1,201-1,3503.164.094.65
1,351-1,5003.104.024.58
1,501-1,6503.073.994.55
1,651-1,8003.043.974.52
1,801-1,9502.993.924.48
1,951-2,1002.973.904.46

Notes:

1. In the application of this table to a school wholly or mainly for pupils who have attained the age of sixteen the heading to the first column is to be read without the words "aged under 16".

2. The reference to the ages of the pupils is a reference to their ages on 1st September.


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(2) This regulation applies to all middle schools.

(3) Any part of the dining accommodation provided under regulation 27 which is designed also for teaching may be treated as forming part of the teaching accommodation for the purposes of this regulation.

18 Storage of Teaching Apparatus, Equipment and Materials

Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided in or near the teaching accommodation, for the storage of apparatus, equipment and materials required for teaching.

19 Storage of Pupils' Outdoor Clothing and Belongings

Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided for storing and drying pupils' outdoor clothing, and for storing pupils' other belongings.

20 Sanitary Accommodation for Pupils

(1) Closets and, in any school attended by boys, urinal stalls shall be provided.

(2)(a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b) below, the number of fittings shall be not less than two for every unit of 30 pupils.

(b) The number of fittings in a school for more than 1,000 pupils shall be such as may be approved in each case.

(3) In a school attended by boys, not less than one third of the number of fittings provided for their use shall be closets.

21 Washing Accommodation for Pupils

The number of washbasins shall be not less than the number of fittings specified or approved under regulation 20 above.

22 Changing Rooms and Showers

Sufficient and suitable changing rooms and showers shall be provided near the gymnasium or other space used for physical education.

23 Staff Rooms

(1) A common room shall be provided for the teaching staff and a separate room shall be provided for the head teacher.

(2) A separate room shall be provided for the senior assistant teacher in any school for 450 or more pupils and in any school for pupils of both sexes.

24 Cloakroom, Washing and Sanitary Accommodation for Adults

Sufficient and suitable cloakroom, washing and sanitary accommodation, separate from the accommodation provided for the pupils, shall be provided for the teaching staff and the staff engaged in the provision of milk, meals and other refreshments.


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25 Facilities for Medical Inspection and Treatment

(1) Suitable accommodation shall be provided so as to be immediately available at any time during school hours for the inspection and treatment of pupils by doctors, dentists and nurses.

(2) Effective provision shall be made for securing sufficient and suitable lighting and heating.

(3) The accommodation shall be conveniently accessible to a closet, and every room shall include a washbasin with a supply of hot and cold water.

26 Storage Facilities for School Stocks, Maintenance Equipment, Furniture and Fuel

(1) Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided for the storage of stationery, materials, maintenance equipment and furniture.

(2) Separate and conveniently situated accommodation shall where necessary be provided for the storage of fuel.

27 Accommodation for Meals

(1) Accommodation designed for dining and available for so long as is necessary to prepare and serve the meal and clear up afterwards shall be provided.

(2) The minimum area of the accommodation provided under paragraph (1) above shall be -

(a) where there are two sittings, 0.5m² per person;

(b) where there is one sitting, 1m² per person.

(3) The accommodation provided under paragraph (1) above shall be separate from any gymnasium or combined hall and gymnasium.

(4) If the meals are cooked off the school premises, sufficient accommodation shall be provided for receiving and serving the meals and for washing up.

PART IV

NURSERY SCHOOLS AND NURSERY CLASSES

28 Sites

The minimum area of the site shall be 0.1 ha for a school of not more than 40 pupils; and for every unit of 20 pupils above 40 the area shall be increased by 0.05 ha.

29 Garden Playing Space

The site of a nursery school shall include, and there shall be available to a nursery class, a garden playing space of a minimum area of 9.3m² per pupil of which not less than 3.7m² per pupil shall be paved.

30 Playroom Accommodation

(1) Playroom accommodation of a minimum internal area of 2.3m² per pupil shall be provided.


[page 13]

(2) Teaching accommodation shall be provided for the pupils over the age of five in accordance with regulation 5 above.

31 Storage of Children's Outdoor Clothing

Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided for storing and drying pupils' outdoor clothing.

32 Washing and Sanitary Accommodation for Children

(1) At least one washbasin shall be provided for every five pupils under the age of five where more than half the pupils regularly stay for a midday meal and for every ten pupils in any other case, and at least one closet shall be provided for every ten pupils under the age of five.

(2) One deep sink shall be provided for every 40 pupils under five years of age.

33 Staff Room

(1) In a nursery school one room shall be provided for the superintendent and one room for the remainder of the teaching staff, together with cloakroom, washing and sanitary accommodation suitable for adults.

(2) One of the rooms provided under paragraph (1) shall be available for use also as a medical inspection and isolation room.

34 Storage of Apparatus, Equipment and Fuel

(1) Sufficient and suitable facilities shall be provided for the storage of apparatus and equipment including in particular the storage of beds and large toys.

(2) In a nursery school separate and conveniently situated storage accommodation shall where necessary be provided for fuel.

35 Kitchen

(1) Sufficient and suitable kitchens shall be provided for cooking a midday meal for pupils attending full time.

(2) A sink and a means of heating drinks shall be available in a school wholly for pupils attending part time and in a nursery class.

PART V

SPECIAL SCHOOLS

36 Sites

(1)(a) Subject to sub-paragraphs (b) and (c), the minimum area of the site shall be -

Number of pupilsha
Not more than 250.2
26-500.25
51-800.3

and for every additional unit of 40 pupils, the minimum area shall be increased by 0.05 ha.


[page 14]

(b) The minimum area prescribed by sub-paragraph (a) above shall, in the case of a school for senior pupils, be increased as follows:-

Number of pupilsha
Not more than 500.05
51-1200.1
121-1600.15
More than 1600.2

(c) The minimum area of the site of any school for some or all of whose pupils boarding accommodation is provided shall be such as may be approved in each case.

(2)(a) The site shall include a paved area, laid on suitable foundations and properly graded and drained:

provided that in a school for more than 120 senior pupils this requirement may be satisfied by the provision of a hard porous area suitable for team games, laid on suitable foundations and properly graded and drained, or partly by the provision of such a paved area and partly by the provision of such a hard porous area.

(b) The minimum area of the area provided under sub-paragraph (2)(a) shall be -

(i) Schools for infants and juniors
Number of pupils
Not more than 105612
More than 105910
(ii) All-age schools and schools for seniors
Number of senior pupils
Not more than 50910
51-1201,122
More than 1201,850

37 Playing Fields

(1) Every school for educationally sub-normal day pupils of both sexes and all ages shall have a playing field, which shall unless otherwise approved adjoin the site.

(2) The minimum area of the playing field provided under paragraph (1) shall be -

Number of pupilsha
Not more than 1200.5
or such smaller area as may for special reasons be approved in the case of any school.
121-2001.0

Number of pupils Not more than 120

(3) In the case of any other school the area of the playing field shall be such as may be approved in each case.

38 Teaching Accommodation

(1) In a school for not more than 200 educationally sub-normal pupils -

(a) the minimum internal area of the teaching accommodation shall be 520m² for the first unit of 100 pupils plus 56m² for each additional unit of 20 pupils or such smaller area as may for special reasons be approved in the case of any school; and

[page 15]

(b) there shall be a hall, and for each class a room of an area of not less than 28m² for the first unit of ten pupils plus 2.2m² for each additional pupil.
(2) In the case of any other school the teaching accommodation shall be such as may be approved in each case.

39 Sanitary and Washing Accommodation for Pupils

(1)(a) Closets shall be provided.

(b) Urinal stalls may be provided in a school attended by boys under 8 and shall be provided in a school attended by boys of 8 and over.

(2) The minimum number of fittings shall be one for every ten pupils; and in a school attended by boys not less than one third of the fittings provided for them shall be closets.

(3) At least one washbasin shall be provided for every ten pupils.

40 Other Accommodation

Every school shall conform to the standards prescribed in the following regulations -

14 (accommodation for meals)

18 (storage of teaching apparatus, equipment and materials)

19 (storage of pupils' outdoor clothing and belongings)

23(1) (staff room)

24 (cloakroom, washing and sanitary accommodation for adults)

25 (facilities for medical inspection and treatment)

26 (storage facilities for school stocks, maintenance equipment, furniture and fuel) -

and regulation 22 (changing rooms and showers) shall apply to any school for senior pupils.

PART VI

BOARDING ACCOMMODATION

41 Sites

The area of the site shall be such as may be approved in each case.

42 Dormitories and Cubicles

(1) The floor area of any dormitory shall be not less than 5m² for each of the first two beds plus not less than 4.2m² for each additional bed; and the area shall be sufficient to permit a space of 900mm between any two beds.

(2) Where a separate cubicle is provided for a pupil, the cubicle shall have a window and its floor area shall be not less than 5m².

(3) Where a separate bedroom is provided for a pupil, its floor area shall be not less than 6m².


[page 16]

(4) Separate dormitories shall be provided for boys and girls respectively over the age of eight.

43 Washing and Sanitary Accommodation

(1) There shall be provided not less than -

for every ten pupils1 slipper bath or shower bath
for the first 60 pupils1 washbasin to every 3 pupils
for the next 40 pupils1 washbasin to every 4 pupils
for every additional 5 pupils1 washbasin
for every 5 pupils1 closet

Provided that -

(i) at least half the baths shall be slipper baths; and

(ii) in any case where any of the washing or sanitary accommodation for the day pupils in the school is both accessible to and suitable for the boarders the requirements of this paragraph may be reduced to such extent as may be approved.

(2) Baths, showers, washbasins and closets shall be suitably dispersed throughout the building, regard being had in particular to their accessibility from the dormitories.

44 Accommodation for Meals

Sufficient accommodation shall be provided for the cooking and serving of meals for the boarders.

45 Day Room Space

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) day room space of an internal area of not less than 2.3m² for each pupil shall be provided.

(2) The requirements of this regulation may be reduced to such extent as may be approved in each case: -

(a) where all or part of the day school accommodation is adjacent to the boarding accommodation and is suitable for use as day room space;

(b) where the boarding accommodation is provided in some manner other than dormitories and common rooms;

(c) where the boarding accommodation is for weekly boarders only.

46 Sick Rooms

(1)(a) All boarding accommodation shall include a sick room and, where the total number of boarders exceeds 40, a separate isolation room;

(b) The total number of beds in the sick room and isolation room shall be on the scale of one bed for every unit of 20 boarders.

(2) Separate sick room accommodation shall be provided for boys and for girls.

(3) Suitable and sufficient bathing, washing and sanitary accommodation shall be provided for use in connection with the sick room accommodation.


[page 17]

(4) In every sick room adequate cross ventilation shall be provided, and any cubicle provided shall have a window.

(5) The floor area shall be not less than 7'4m² for each bed and shall be sufficient to allow a space of 1.8m between any two beds.

(6) Sufficient bedrooms, baths and washing and sanitary accommodation shall be provided for the use of the nursing staff.

47 Staff Accommodation

Such residential accommodation, including sufficient dining, washing and sanitary accommodation, for the teaching and domestic staff shall be provided as may be approved in each case.

48 Other Accommodation

A sewing room, an airing room and sufficient and suitable storage space for bedding, equipment and pupils' personal belongings shall be provided.

PART VII

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS AND BOARDING ACCOMMODATION

49 Structural Loadings

The load bearing structure shall be such as to be capable of safely sustaining and transmitting dead load and imposed loads and the horizontal and inclined forces to which it is likely to be subjected.

50 Protection against the Weather

The building shall be so designed and constructed as adequately to resist the penetration of rain, snow, wind and moisture rising from the ground.

51 Precautions for Health and Safety

In all parts of the buildings the design, the construction, the limitation of the surface flame spread, the fire resistance of the elements of the structure and the properties of the materials shall be such that the health and safety of the occupants, and in particular their safe escape in the event of fire, shall be reasonably assured.

52 Lighting

(1) The lighting, both natural and artificial, of each room or other space shall be appropriate to the normal use for which the room or other space is designed.

(2) In teaching accommodation and kitchens the lowest level of maintained illumination and the minimum daylight factor, on the appropriate plane in the area of normal use, shall be 110 lux and 2 per cent respectively:

provided that if in the case of any particular teaching room or space the Secretary of State is satisfied that, regard being had to its proposed use, sufficient lighting can be provided by a combination of permanent supplementary artificial lighting and daylight at less than a 2 per cent daylight factor, the minimum daylight factor shall be such lower percentage as may be approved.


[page 18]

(3) In teaching accommodation and kitchens no luminous part of any lighting unit, or mirrored image thereof, having a maximum brightness greater than 5100 cd/m² or an average brightness greater than 3400 cd/m², shall be visible to any occupant in a normal position within an angle at the eye of 135 degrees from the perpendicular from the eye to the floor.

(4) A sufficient part of the light emitted from the lighting fittings shall illuminate the ceiling and upper parts of the walls so as to prevent excessive contrast between the fittings and their background.

53 Ventilation and Heating

(1) Every room shall be provided with means of ventilation capable of securing that the fresh air available shall be as follows:-

Cubic space per person for whom the room is designedAppropriate number of air changes per hour
Not more than 5.06
5.0-5.75
5.8-7.04
7.1-8.53
More than 8.5

(2) Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent condensation in, and to expel noxious fumes from, every kitchen and other room in which there may be steam or fumes.

(3) The heating system shall be such as to secure that, when the outside temperature is 0°C. and the heating system is heating air at the rates specified below, the temperature at a height of not more than three feet from the floor in any room or space specified below shall be as so specified or as near as may be thereto:-

Type of room or spaceNumber of air changes per hour to be heated by the heating systemTemperatures C.
Convalescent sitting rooms318.5
Medical inspection rooms318.5
Changing rooms, bathrooms and shower rooms318.5
Teaching rooms217
Nursery playrooms217
Common rooms217
Staff rooms217
Sanatoriums and sickrooms314.5
Halls14
Dining rooms214
Gymnasiums214
Cloakrooms213
Corridors13
Dormitories211


[page 19]

54 Acoustics

In every part of a school building the acoustic conditions and the insulation against disturbance by noise shall be appropriate to the use of that part.

55 Water Supply

(1) Sufficient and wholesome water shall be provided.

(2) The premises shall, where reasonably practicable, be connected to a supply of water in pipes.

(3) Where a supply of water under pressure is available, running water shall be laid on to the washbasins, baths and showers.

(4) Sufficient warmed and cold water shall be available to satisfy the following requirements:-

(a) every washbasin shall have an adequate supply of warmed water; and

(b) all baths and showers shall have a supply of water warmed on emission to a temperature of not less than 38°C and not more than 43.5°C.

56 Gas and Electric Power

The premises shall, where reasonably practicable, be connected to gas and electricity supplies and, where they are so connected, sufficient and suitable gas and electric power points shall be provided.

57 Washing and Sanitary Accommodation

(1) The washing and sanitary accommodation shall be soundly designed and constructed, and shall be reasonably accessible to the persons for whose use it is provided.

(2) All urinal stalls shall be constructed of glazed material and shall be fitted with a flushing apparatus.

(3) Each closet shall be provided with a door and with a partition so constructed as to secure privacy.

(4) Each water closet provided shall be capable of being flushed separately.

(5) The surfaces of the floors of washing and sanitary accommodation, including bath and shower compartments, and of the walls to a height of not less than 1.8m shall be finished with a material which resists the penetration of water and which can be easily cleaned.

58 Drainage and Sewage Disposal

(1) Where a system of public sewers and a constant water supply under pressure are available, water closets shall be provided and the waste matter ("sewage"), together with the liquid waste ("drainage") from urinals, baths, showers, washbasins and sinks shall be conveyed into the public sewer by means of drains.

(2) Where a supply of water under pressure is available but no public sewers are available, closets shall be provided and the sewage and drainage shall be discharged either into a cesspool or into a treatment plant comprising a settlement tank and either a filter or surface land irrigation.


[page 20]

(3) Where public sewers are available but no water supply under pressure is available, the drainage shall be discharged into the public sewer and earth or chemical closets shall be provided.

(4) Where neither public sewers nor a water supply under pressure are available, the drainage shall be discharged either into a cesspool or into a treatment plant comprising a settlement tank and either a filter or surface land irrigation, and earth or chemical closets shall be provided.

(5) Adequate provision shall be made for the disposal of rain water.

SCHEDULE

Regulation 2(2)

REVOCATIONS

Regulations RevokedReferences
The Standards for School Premises Regulations 1959S.I. 1959/890 (1959 I, p.1006)
The Standards for School Premises (Middle Schools and Minor Amendments) Regulations 1969S.I. 1969/433 (1969 I, p. 1271)
The Standards for School Premises (Amendment) Regulations 1971S.I. 1971/1553 (1971 III, p. 4364)
The Standards for School Premises (Amendment) Regulations 1972S.I. 1972/1255 (1972 II, p. 3765)


Given under the Official Seal of the Secretary of State for Education and Science on 12th December 1972.

Margaret H. Thatcher,
Secretary of State for Education and Science.

Given under my hand on 28th December 1972.

Peter Thomas,
Secretary of State for Wales.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This Note is not part of the Regulations)

These regulations consolidate with amendments the regulations which prescribe the standards to which the premises of schools maintained by local education authorities are to conform. The regulations substitute metric units for the imperial measures in the Standards for School Premises Regulations 1959 to 1972 and make other amendments of a minor or drafting character.