The government has been accused of “complacency” when it comes to fire safety, after it was revealed that only 15% of new schools are fitted with sprinklers.
Schools minister Nick Gibb revealed in answer to a question in Parliament by Labour MP and former teacher Stephanie Peacock that 105 of the 673 schools built and open by February were fitted with sprinklers.
The news drew criticism from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “We’ve made it clear that newly built schools and other high-risk buildings should have sprinkler systems. Sprinklers can assist in the control of a fire in its early stages, limiting damage and giving occupants additional time to escape, as well as reducing the risks faced by firefighters attending the incident.
Register for free and continue reading
This is not a paywall. Registration allows us to enhance your experience across Construction Management and ensure we deliver you quality editorial content.
Registering also means you can manage your own CPDs, comments, newsletter sign-ups and privacy settings.
