'SPRINKLERS IN SCHOOLS ARE ESSENTIAL' - MULHOLLAND

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 18th Jan 2007

Leeds MP and Lib Dem Schools spokesperson, Greg Mulholland has again joined with Fire Officers, teachers and councillors across the country in calling on Government to require that all new school builds and refurbishment include fire sprinklers as standard.

Schools in the UK are at greater risk from fire than any other major building category and more than 2,000 schools are damaged by fire each year. This was seen recently in West Yorkshire when a fire at Castleford High School caused over £1m of damage.

As well as providing primary life-saving potential, sprinklers can reduce the damage and associated cost of school fires and minimise the impact on children's education.

Commenting, Leeds MP Greg Mulholland said:

"Once again this Government has failed to act despite the recommendations of the fire service and the public. How many more schools need to burn down before sprinklers are made mandatory?

"With heavy investment in secondary schools planned for the next 10 to 15 years, it is the ideal time to introduce legislation for sprinklers in new and refurbished schools.

Also commenting, Acting Chief Fire Officer, Simon Pilling said:

"At a time when Government is investing significant sums in a major build and refurbishment programme of schools buildings we have the chance to leave a legacy for future generations and to safeguard the education of young people; it is an opportunity that should not be allowed to pass."

Also commenting Cllr Graham Kirkland of Leeds City Council said:

"Sprinklers stop a fire before it causes major damage, with such negligible maintenance costs they ought to be standard for every school in the UK."