Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that sprinkler systems are installed in all schools.

Nick Gibb

The proper standard of fire safety, to protect life and property, is essential in our schools. All schools must comply with building and fire safety regulations.

All new schools are assessed on a case-by-case basis for fire safety and, where it is concluded that sprinklers must be fitted to protect property or keep children safe, they will be. This is consistent with the position set out in our Fire Safety Design for Schools – Building Bulletin 100 (BB100) guidance for schools in England and Wales.

Schools in Northern Ireland are required to comply with the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 which reinforces a risk based approach to fire prevention.