Please can you advise me, we are a small GP surgery. We need a fire bell to warn doctors and patients in the event of a fire. Can we use a 'school bell' or is it legislation that we need a fixed bell?

All fire safety equipment need to be ready and available when require for use. How do you guarantee the school bell hasn't gone on walkies when required, it is my experience when you require something you can never find it no matter how careful you are. I would suggest you use a fixed bell or gong providing it is suitable for purpose and provides an acceptable fire alarm.

Check out DCLG guide http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firesafetyrisk2 step 3. (3.4.1.) and section 2

Would it not be better to have a fire alarm? (category M) Heaven forbid there is a real fire, but would you want to find a bell and ring it, or would you prefer to just "press hard"

I most probably agree with you green_foam but without a physical survey who can tell what is needed, that is why I added " a fixed bell or gong providing it is suitable for purpose and provides an acceptable fire alarm". I was thinking about a ships watch bell maybe in a glass fronted box to prevent tampering or a rotary fire alarm gong.