A number of MPs have called for a tougher approach to sprinkler systems being fitted in schools after hearing that in spite of the government’s presumption that all new and refurbished schools should be fitted with them, implementation of the policy is varied and inconsistent.
The comments were made last month during a Westminster Hall debate, a non-binding, consensual forum for MPs.
Ian McCartney MP, who secured the debate, said that in spite of the schools’ minister’s previous comments which virtually gave an instruction to local authorities to install sprinklers, this was not happening across the board. “We have already built hundreds of millions of pounds’ worth of new schools in the programme, and perhaps only one or two have been fitted with a sprinkler system.”
Mr McCartney urged the government to find a way to regulate so that no local authority is able to sign a contract, unless it precisely and clearly includes an instruction that sprinkler systems be fitted in all refurbished and new build schools.
While welcoming the increased emphasis on sprinklers in the schools’ fire safety document, Building Bulletin 100, the shadow minister for schools, Nick Gibb, said other measures were also needed. These included good security, better education programmes and a stronger sense of discipline in pupils.
Replying to the debate, schools’ minister Jim Knight pointed to a slight reduction since 2003 in the number of arson attacks and fires in schools. He said that the current version of the risk analysis tool in Building Bulletin 100 is more heavily weighted towards sprinklers, as the vast majority of schools will now be assessed as ‘average’ or ‘high’ risk. “The [government’s] position is now that sprinklers should always be installed in all new schools, except the very few schools if any that are assessed to be of ‘low’ risk and for which there is also no whole-life cost benefit.”
He said although it was difficult to judge impact of the new guidance as it was only introduced in 2007, the early indications were that whereas previously less than 10% of new schools had sprinklers installed, as many as 75% may now have them. “I would like to see the figure higher still, but it is clear that some progress is being made,” he added.
