Why Should A Fire Sprinkler System Be A Requirement In UK Schools?
The fire safety regulations differ between the nations of the UK. Though Scotland and Wales have made sprinklers mandatory in all new and refurbished schools, in England it is very much different. In 2019, only 15% of new schools have a fire sprinkler system installed and this was when it was “considered necessary”. This figure has since increased, yet it is still not law to have fire sprinklers in educational buildings.
Over the years, fire outbreaks in schools have cultivated millions of pounds of damage. Ranging from the building’s damage, its resources and the education for children of all ages. Yet, fire sprinkler systems are still not mandatory, even though they have been proven to save lives. Most recently, no new schools built in Sheffield, South Yorkshire have been built with a fire sprinkler system installed, despite fire safety guidance. However, with the installation of fire sprinklers, this could be avoided.
RAD Fire Sprinklers have been installing residential fire sprinkler systems in homes covering London and the South East. We understand fully why sprinklers should be always considered in any building and the number of lives they save each year. There are many reasons why a fire sprinkler system should be a legal requirement in schools across the UK and not just for when it’s too late.
Fire Sprinkler System Decreases Education Disruption
In 2020, within 48 hours, two schools in Derby were engulfed in flames, requiring a combined 18 fire engines. Neither school had a fire protection system in place and cost the Council cabinet millions of damage. But it wasn’t just the building that suffered. All the pupils originally were sent to work from home, then moved between temporary schools and accommodations, including a three-floor office block.
The school was unusable. However, with automatic fire sprinkler systems in place, the damage could have been avoided and children would still have been able to attend education. Following a fire, pupils are forced to relocate until the building is habitable again. Yet, a sprinkler system in place, decreases the amount of damage the building has.
Saves Resources
Having a safer sprinkler system can also save precious educational resources from fire damage. These supplies could have been built up over years and years; some irreplaceable of a pupil and staff’s original work.
The fitting of a common sprinkler system type can avoid this situation of losing vital pieces of work needed for assessments. The sprinkler head releases just the right amount of water to deal with the matter at hand. It saves the water supply, as fire engines use gallons to put out the fire. It also saves time as the sprinkler is automatic, putting out the blaze as quickly as possible and not having to wait for the emergency services.
Saves Lives
But, most importantly, a reliable sprinkler protects both the pupils and staff members in case of a fire emergency. In the case of the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, a fire safety expert has stated that if there was a sprinkler system in place, there would have been a 99% chance of survival.
Fire sprinkler systems control the blaze automatically and without the need for assistance from anyone around. Services across the UK have reported that there has been no casualties or injuries in fires that were dealt with a sprinkler system. Therefore, why shouldn’t they be in schools?
Here at RAD Fire Sprinklers, we make it our goal to promote and advise fire safety through automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings across the UK. Though our expertise lies in residential sprinkler systems, we understand the importance of having a fire protection system in educational and commercial buildings.
For more information, or to receive a quote, fill out our online contact form. Or, call us on 01892 680090 and speak to a member of our team.
