Vote on fire sprinklers at schools

Councillor Chris Goodwin.

COUNCILLORS will vote on fire safety measures in schools after requirements to install sprinklers were removed by government.

Labour councillor Chris Goodwin will ask fellow representatives to support the reversal of national guidance to building regulations on sprinkler systems.

It comes after the government recently removed the requirement from Build Regulations guidance to install Fire Suppression Systems in new schools.

Oldham Council will vote on the proposal at a full council meeting tomorrow.

The Labour motion put forward by Councillor Goodwin said: "This council believes that this is a retrograde step that does not make sense.

"Sprinklers do not just save lives, they prevent fires from spreading and causing significant disruption to children's education.

"This change of policy is a false economy as the cost of increased insurance premiums and the damage caused by fire outweighs that of the installation of sprinklers.

"This is also remarkably out of step with the rest of Great Britain."

Strong rejections have also been raised by the fire sector, Fire Sector Federation, Fire Protection Association and Arson Prevention Burea.

New schools in Scotland and Wales continue to have automatic sprinklers installed at the premises.

There were more than 600 fires in Britain's schools last year each causing an estimated £1.5million in damage, according to insurers.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service previously called on the government to reconsider its position and re-introduce the guidance to install sprinklers in all new schools.

Councillor Goodwin added: "This council resolves to call on the government to reconsider their position and re-introduce the guidance to building regulations with regard the installation of fire sprinkler systems into new school buildings.

"The council also calls on other local authorities to consider requesting that the government reconsiders this matter."