Labour Research March 2018

Health & Safety Matters

Schools fire risk


The NEU teachers’ and FBU firefighters’ unions have accused the government of allowing its own advice on fire protection “to be routinely flouted in the rush to build new schools as cheaply as possible”. 


Government guidance makes clear that all new schools, with the exception of a few that are “low risk”, should have sprinklers fitted. 


But the unions point out that the list of schools built, or due to be built, without sprinkler systems include the school at the base of the Grenfell Tower, built in 2014; all 35 Croydon schools built since 2012; and 32 new schools due to be constructed in Northamptonshire. 


Since 2010, the unions say, only 35% of new schools have been fitted with sprinklers.


https://neu.org.uk/latest/government-jeopardising-fire-safety-schools