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Wales Primary School Sprinkler Activation Save

January 8

Overview

When you read real life tangible examples of where fire sprinklers have actuated containing, controlling or even in some cases extinguishing school fires, you ask yourself why are sprinklers still not mandatory for newly constructed school buildings in England with the benefits they bring protecting: –

  • The school, in terms of life safety/property.
  • The environment reducing Co2 emissions.
  • Students course work, teachers teaching aids, resources
  • Vital local community resource.

In a recent article contained with in RICS Journal by Ian Cox,  Chairman of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, Ian references “when you consider the huge costs associated with school fires-such as rebuilding, temporary relocation, loss of equipment and pupils work, as well as the emotional and physical upheaval- we are still not learning the lessons about fire and its impact when schools are built without sprinkler systems.

It is a requirement in Scotland and a condition of government funding in Wales, but despite the rising number of school fires since the lockdowns of 2020/21 there is no requirement in England or Northern Ireland for the installation of sprinklers.

The National Fire Chiefs Council report that in May 2021, the government announced a proposal to make the installation of sprinklers mandatory in new schools over 11m in height, However, given that only a few schools currently meet this threshold, the benefits of this proposal are likely to be limited. When replying to the consultation on these proposals, NFCC was clear that their strongly held belief is that they constitute a lessening of standards from previous guidance.

The original guidance, when first released in 2007, acknowledged the important role of sprinklers and stated that “all new schools should have fire sprinklers installed except in a few low-risk schools.” The proposed changes in the guidance are a retrograde step and represent a real lessening of standards in this area.

Now approaching 4 years since the government first consulted on a revised version of Building Bulletin 100: design for fire safety in schools, we are still waiting for a decision to be announced.

Our thanks to Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council encouraging FRSs to collate report sprinkler activations to sprinkler saves uk.  In this case promoting a primary school fire which was extinguished by the activation of the premises fire sprinkler system.

If it was not for the decision by the Welsh government for sprinklers to be installed in schools, we could be discussing a different outcome for this incident.

The Incident

  • Date of incident; January 2025
  • Location; Wales
  • Use of building; Primary School
  • Number of floors; 2
  • Location of fire; Storeroom
  • Automatic fire suppression system; Sprinklers
  • Fire Rescue Service; Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service (MAWWFRS)

It is reported that following a malicious act, 5% of a classroom storeroom was damaged by fire which was successfully contained, controlled and extinguished within the room of origin by the activation of 1 sprinkler head with no injuries reported.

No further firefighting media was required by the fire service on arrival, the school was closed following the fire,  opening fully the following day with only minimal fire damage sustained to the classroom storeroom, with no impact on the student’s education.

The outcome of this fire could have been so much different if this incident had been in England. When you compare this to the three major school fires in Derbyshire that were all severely damaged by fire in May/October 2020, where sprinklers were not fitted.

  • Harrington Junior school fire 28 May 2020
  • Ravensdale Infant School, 5 October 2020
  • St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Darley Abbey, 3 October 2020

Credit image Derbyshire Fire Rescue Service Ravensdale Infant School

These fires have resulted in the agreement of a statement of intent, between Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, and Derbyshire County Council for sprinklers to be installed in new-build schools and those undergoing renovation, which should be applauded.

This incident clearly demonstrates the importance of protecting educational premises with sprinklers.

  • Minimal fire damage within the compartment of origin.
  • Business continuity, the school opened fully the following day.
  • Minimal impact on the students education.
  • No injuries reported.

Without the fire sprinkler system, there would have been significant damage to the school, potential risk of injury to members of staff, firefighters.

Further case studies where fire sprinklers were reported as present and having a impact in educational premises is referenced in the BAFSA report (link below) focusing on :-

  • 10 sprinkler saves involving schools between the period November 2021 to May 2023.
  • Compound fire data, identifying 65 educational activations for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22 where sprinklers were present, operated by floor, location identifying:
  1. Secondary schools accounted for the highest number of incidents.
  2. Half of the incidents were malicious acts involving toilets/changing rooms, reinforcing the problem of arson in schools.

Links

Details

Date:
January 8
Event Category: