Sprinklers Save Schools

8.53.00am GMT Tue 19th Jan 2010

A motion by LibDem councillor Jeff Osborn to have fire sprinklers built into all new school buildings in Wiltshire has been approved by Wiltshire councillors. The topic was introduced at the last council meeting and deferred for officers to look at the implications. The report to the council meeting on November 10th concluded that it would be a good investment to install sprinklers wherever possible.

Most school fires involve arson and happen when the buildings are unoccupied. So although a fire in a Wiltshire School would be unlikely to involve loss of life the damage to property and to people's education could be huge.

The new secondary school in Melksham is having sprinklers fitted but other recent school building projects have not included them. Unfortunately the new Wellington Academy is too far advanced for the new policy to benefit it.

The proposed new policy would also include new extensions, though it wouldn't involve fitting sprinklers to existing buildings as this would be too expensive.

Following the success of this campaign the final decision to approve the policy will be made by the WC cabinet next Tuesday January 26.

WC PR dept said, "Although the council has had very few instances of fire damage in its schools, installing fire sprinklers could save a school from significant and lasting damage if there were a fire.

Sprinklers are currently being installed at the new Melksham Oak Community School and the new Shrewton Primary School.

The policy applies to all new-build schools and significant extensions or refurbishment projects. It does not include the retrospective installation of sprinklers to existing school buildings where no major building project is planned.

The policy also recommends that budget provision for sprinkler systems is made at the start of a project and included in any bids. "