MEMBERS of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority will urge local education and environmental leaders to continue with school sprinkler installations, against proposed new Government advice.

A Government document currently out for consultation proposed that it no longer includes an expectation that most new school buildings be fitted with sprinklers.

"Clearly this does not recognise the catastrophic impact a fire in a school can have on pupils, education and on the communities that schools serve," said Coun Rebecca Knox, who chairs Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

“The fire authority is extremely disappointed that the Government is considering removing the expectation of sprinklers being installed in new school buildings. Since the policy was introduced, sprinklers have been credited with saving 17 schools from huge fire damage.

"Fires in schools damage children’s education through loss of resources or coursework and can mean longer travelling times, disrupted social groups and poorer facilities.

"There are significant societal costs including the loss of jobs and the loss of building facilities to the community.”

She added: “Members of the fire authority and I feel that the removal of this expectation is wrong and the logic behind the decision is flawed. We see no reason to change the current policy of a risk based approach.”

Chief Fire Officer Darran Gunter said: "Sprinklers within a school building limit the spread and growth of fire and allow for quick evacuation of children and staff. I support the fire authority’s letter to our education and environmental leaders encouraging them to think about the safety of young people across Dorset and Wiltshire.”