A new campaign to get more education authorities to insist on sprinklers in schools has been launched by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA). According to the campaign, Wise up to Fire, less than a quarter of 172 authorities have such a policy, and fewer than 1% of schools are protected in this way.
Fire sprinklers – common in many public buildings – are rarely installed in schools. In fact less than 200 schools have them. “Sprinklers can and do stop a fire in its tracks,” said Phil Toase, president of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association. “Not only does this considerably reduce the cost in terms of property damage and loss of facilities, but also helps ease the strain on our firefighters, and, most importantly, protect our children and those who work with them.’
The bid to install sprinklers in schools is supported by a range of groups including the National Governors’ Association representing school governors, the Arson Prevention Bureau, the Local Government Association and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.
The group has already written to all MPS in England and Wales and is asking professionals and parents alike to put pressure on education authorities to install sprinklers in schools. Details at: www.wiseuptofire.org
Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has launched a campaign to encourage the installation of sprinklers in schools throughout the county and has appointed a ‘sprinkler advocate’ to promote the measure. Five new schools in the Barnsley area being built under the private finance initiative will be fitted with sprinklers.
There are over 1000 fires a year in schools, of which around three quarters are started deliberately.
