Today’s Education in the Media blog clarifies the use of sprinklers in schools.
Sprinklers in schools
Today, 20 June, there have been reports about the installation of sprinklers in schools relating to guidance set out in 2007.
Last year we consulted on changing the wording of our guidance but this would have no effect on the rules themselves – which clearly set out that if it is deemed necessary by a risk assessment for a school building to have sprinklers then they must be installed. This was the case in 2007 and will remain the case.
Like all public buildings, schools must be built to meet some of the strictest fire safety rules in the world. This is combined with schools carrying out regular fire drills and being designed to help make sure people can escape quickly and safely.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
There will be no change to the fire safety laws for schools or our determination to protect children’s safety. It has always been the case, and will remain the case, that where the risk assessment required for any new building recommends sprinklers are installed to keep children safe, they must be fitted.
Alongside the rest of Government, we will take forward any findings from the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.
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