Grenfell tragedy prompts call for DfE assurances on school fire safety
Joe Lepper
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Education Secretary Justine Greening has been asked to give urgent reassurances about fire safety in schools in light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy last week.
A total of 79 people died or are missing presumed dead after the blaze at the West London tower block, which began in the early hours of 14 June, with the Metropolitan Police warning the figure could rise.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) have written a joint letter to Greening calling for clarity on proposed changes to fire safety requirements in school buildings.
They are particularly concerned that the changes, put forward by the government last summer, could lead to the removal of an expectation that all new schools are fitted with sprinklers.
Mooted changes could also see the end of a requirement for each floor to be "compartmented", a measure designed to stop the spread of a fire.
In addition, the proposed changes to the Buildings Bulletin guidance, could see the removal of advice that discourages the use of combustible materials in building cladding.
"The government has behaved shamefully over this issue," NUT general secretary Kevin Courtney said.
"It is high time the health and safety of children and staff is prioritised. We call upon the government to make an immediate announcement that it will no longer proceed with down-grading fire safety in schools."
The NUT and FBU were among groups, which included the Association of British Insurers, that objected to the revisions during a consultation on the new guidance, which took place between July and August last year.
Both the NUT and FBU also wrote to Greening in October last year urging the government to ensure all new schools are fitted with sprinklers.
They are concerned that the government has still not revealed the findings of the consultation and question whether the controversial changes garnered any support.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "It is staggering we still have to have this debate with the government in the current circumstances. It highlights the endless problems we have faced when raising fire safety issues over several years."
Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, added: "The government - now more than ever - needs to make assurances that they will prioritise the health and safety of pupils and staff in school buildings and implement the changes required to keep them safe."
A Department for Education spokeswoman said that sprinklers must be installed in a new school building if a risk assessment recommends it.
She said: "There will be no change to the fire safety laws for schools, nor our determination to protect children's safety. It has always been the case, and will remain the case, that where the risk assessment required for any new building recommends sprinklers are installed to keep children safe, they must be fitted."
