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Why Do Schools Need Both Escape and Lockdown Plans in Place?
Written 26th September 2025.
Fire escape plans have long been a familiar and essential feature in schools, showing students and staff how to leave the building safely in the event of a fire. At QDOS, we have been providing these trusted maps for years, ensuring schools are equipped with clear, compliant evacuation guidance.
But in today’s evolving world, fire safety alone is no longer enough. Schools need to be prepared for a wider range of threats, and that’s where lockdown plans come in.
Beyond Fire Safety
Evacuation maps are vital in the event of a fire alarm activation, where getting out quickly is the safest option. But not every emergency calls for leaving the building. In some cases, the safest response is to stay inside and secure the premises.
Lockdown maps can be integrated into existing fire escape plans, so all eventualities are covered. The addition of a lockdown plan may be represented through a different colour code, defined iconography or room specific instructions to show:
The Introduction of Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is new legislation named after Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. The law requires public venues, including schools, with a capacity of 200 or more people to have clear procedures in place for both evacuation and lockdown. This makes establishing lockdown plans not only best practice, but also a legal obligation.
As a result of Martyn’s Law, schools need to have a lockdown procedure. At QDOS, we can customise the standard escape plan to identify doors that are secured during a lockdown procedure and specific instructions as to what you should do in a lockdown in the particular room you are in.
How QDOS Helps Schools to Upgrade Their Safety Plans
At QDOS, we continue to provide high-quality, customised fire escape maps – and now help schools strengthen these with integrated lockdown plans. This means:
With both escape and lockdown maps in place, schools can be confident that they are safeguarding students and staff in every possible scenario.
Keeping Schools Ready For Any Threat
Fire escape maps remain a cornerstone of school safety – and with QDOS, they always will be. But today’s challenges require going a step further. By adding lockdown plans alongside their trusted escape maps, schools can meet their legal obligations under Martyn’s Law and give staff and pupils the confidence of knowing they are prepared for any emergency.
At QDOS, we help schools upgrade their escape maps with clear, practical, and fully customised solutions. Contact us today to add lockdown plans to your fire escape maps.
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