Sprinkler system needed at school

Published on 22nd November 2007 in Letters

Sir - The Goole branch of the GMB is part of the country's largest trade union and, at its meeting on November 12, called for a review of whether new buildings should have sprinkler systems installed .

Following the recent devastating warehouse fire which claimed the lives of four fire-fighters in Warwickshire, Goole Branch Secretary Keith Wilson reported "We are, through our local MP Ian Cawsey, urging the Government to look at existing regulations which currently do not require an assessment to whether fire-suppression systems are needed in new developments. We believe ministers should now instigate an urgent review of building regulations to ensure these tragic events are not repeated."

The Union, which has thousands of members in both the public and private sectors, is also concerned that despite there being around 1,500 fires in our schools each year - a third of which are in termtime - many schools lack this basic protection. It is estimated sprinkler systems could cut losses by up to 90 per cent when the real cost of fires affecting schools is in the order of £115 million.

The Union is also to press for sprinklers to be included in the new build that is commencing on the Vermuyden School site .

Keith Wilson

(Goole Branch Secretary, GMB)

Buttfield Road, Howden