Keeping our children safe from harm guarantees their future, as well as ours. Schools play a major role in education, another key factor in everyone’s future.
Yet we continue to send our children to schools unprotected by fire sprinkler systems. It’s obvious that we still have a lot to learn.
Here are some sobering facts:
On 7 August, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) announced that the London Fire Brigade had attended 57 fires in schools to date in 2019 – and that none of those schools were outfitted with sprinkler systems.
On that same date, BAFSA reported that GMB – the union representing school staff – had joined the long-running campaign to be fitted in all schools in England.
On 28 October, PBC Today reported in an article, The case for sprinkler systems in schools, that there are approximately 1,000 fires in school premises throughout the UK annually, with a larger firers costing more than £3m, and in some cases more than £20m. There were 244 casualties in the eight years leading up to 2017-18. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Where do We Stand on Sprinkler Systems in Schools?
On 14 April, The Guardian reported that of the 673 new schools built under the government’s flagship building scheme and free school programmes, only 105 were fitted with sprinkler systems – fewer than one in six – despite government guidance that all new schools should have sprinklers.
The sobering facts are that new build schools and major school remodels in Scotland and Wales mandate sprinkler systems. Such is not the case with England and Northern Ireland, despite government recommendations.
Certainly, cost is a factor. That of course reflects not only the cost of the sprinkler systems, but design thereof, as well as the installation.
Time is another factor. Certainly, it will take time to install a fire sprinkler system in a large school building, and classrooms will have to be removed from service for a time. Given an average six-week summer holiday, there are no guarantees that a project retrofit can take place prior to the beginning of autumn term. Every project is different. The need to relocate or displace students is naturally a major concern.
Best Case Scenario: Safety from Fire for All Students
It’s a fact. Sprinklers work. They protect people and property.
BAFSA explains it well: when buildings are protected with a properly designed and maintained sprinkler system about 99% of fires are controlled by the sprinklers.
There are two types of fire sprinkler systems – metallic and non-metallic. Most non-metallic systems are CPVC-based, and BlazeMaster® CPVC is the most specified non-metallic system.
CPVC is always a less expensive install than traditional steel systems. The material costs for CPVC are more stable compared with steel prices, which have fluctuated significantly in recent years. CPVC installation also offers lower labour costs. Crews need special equipment and additional manpower to move steel around the job site. The work crew requires a power source, open-flame torches and noisy threading machines. Fabrication often must be done off-site, adding to the cost.
CPVC fire sprinkler system installation requires fewer labourers. job that can be completed with basic hand tools using a quick, one-step solvent cement process. In addition to lower labor costs, there’s no need for costly equipment rentals. Because CPVC is lighter and more flexible than steel, it’s easier to install in tight spaces. That can be especially important in retrofits.
This simpler process also translates to speed of installation – a bonus to retrofitting school buildings. Installation is much less disruptive for building occupants, who must typically vacate the premises when steel fire protection systems are specified. CPVC installation, by contrast, is much faster and presents minimal disruptions.
Assuming that at some point in hopefully the very near future decisions are made to make all school buildings – new and existing – safe from fire, there are things about CPVC fire sprinkler systems that will address both the cost and time constraints that will likely always be present to some extent.
To learn more about how you can support the effort to ensure school fire safety throughout the nation or on a local or regional level, please contact BAFSA.
To learn more about the benefits of CPVC, please contact BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems.
