Schools MUST get sprinklers
Fire chief’s call after second devastating blaze in 3 days
TWO Derby schools that were destroyed by fire in the space of three days did not have sprinklers fitted, it has been revealed.
And Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson has called on the Government to make it law to have sprinklers fitted to all new or refurbished schools to prevent further “heartbreak and devastation”.
TWO Derby schools which were hit by devastating fires in the space of three days did not have sprinkler systems fitted.
St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Darley Abbey, caught fire on Saturday and Ravensdale Infant and Nursery School, in Mickleover, went up in flames yesterday.
It has been revealed by fire chiefs that neither school had sprinkler systems in place to prevent or slow the spread flames.
Parents and teachers at both schools have been left distraught at the events, which have left buildings with such substantial damage that children can no longer return to the classroom only weeks into the new school year.
Although investigations into the cause of both of this week’s fires are still ongoing, the National Fire Chiefs Council has said sprinklers were not present in the buildings that burned down.
The two recent fires also came months after a serious blaze gutted buildings at Harrington Junior School in Long Eaton, which also did not have sprinklers in place.
Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson, said not having sprinklers has had huge consequences and is calling on the Government to make it the law to have them installed.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by fire at two Derbyshire schools over the last 48 hours,” he said.
“The effect that losing a school has on the community is huge. A school is right in the heart of a community, providing our children with the education they need, so to see this taken away at a time when schools are just starting to recover following Covid lockdown restrictions is both a huge shock and totally unacceptable when there are fire safety measures that can prevent such devastation.
“Over the last few years, through the National Fire Chiefs Council, we have been calling for Government to make changes to fire safety legislation that would see sprinklers fitted as mandatory in all new-build and refurbished schools. “Sprinklers are one of a range of fire safety measures that would not only protect our schools from fire and prevent injuries, but they would also protect against costly rebuilds and, of course, protect against the stress and anxiety caused to the children who need their education.”
Mr Tomlinson, who is also the National Fire Chief Council lead for sprinklers, said it is not good enough that schools in other parts of the UK have to install sprinklers by law, while English ones do not.
He said: “I am not sure what more evidence is needed to bring legislation in line with Scotland and Wales where it is mandatory for sprinklers to be fitted and for the Government here in England to take notice and, more importantly, to take action – we have a responsibility to build safer schools.”
Sean McClafferty, CEO of St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, which runs St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, said there had been no legal requirements for sprinklers when the school was built. He said: “There is currently no legal requirement for existing schools to have sprinkler systems and St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy was built before 2007, when there were some changes to Government guidance around sprinkler systems.”
Derby City Council has been contacted for comment.
The effect that losing a school has on the community is huge.
Derbyshire Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson