British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd (BAFSA) - Experts & Thought Leaders

With school exam season now in full swing, BAFSA (The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) is reminding the Government and education authorities, as part of this year’s Sprinkler Week (20-25th May), about the increased threat of fire to schools during the summer term – a time when pupils and staff are under most stress. According to the Government’s own data, less than 8.5% of new schools built since 2015 have automatic fire sprinklers fitted and yet there were around 300 fires in schools in 2023. However, schools fitted with sprinklers that experience a fire are often back in action the same day, as opposed to the two years that it typically takes to rebuild a school after a major fire. Automatic fire suppression systems Sprinklers dramatically reduce the effect a fire can have on a school, often limiting damage to one room Sprinklers dramatically reduce the effect a fire can have on a school, often limiting damage to one room. They prevent the loss of valuable student coursework and school children from having their studies disrupted due to their classrooms being destroyed or severely damaged. BAFSA has, along with several other fire safety organizations, including the NFSN and NFCC, taken this opportunity to write an open letter to the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, to urge the Government to press forward with its proposed revision of Building Bulletin 100, a design guide for fire safety in schools, to mandate the installation of automatic fire suppression systems in all new schools. Impact of School Fires The letter states: “It is deeply concerning that BB100 – which was necessary to provide fire safety measures specifically for schools, that were beyond Approved Document B and BS9999, to protect the continuity of education has become outdated and disregarded.” The Chief Executive of BAFSA, Ali Perry, added, putting sprinklers in schools makes economic sense. Ali Perry stated, “The impact of school fires is much greater than the financial cost of any rebuild. But there is the emotional cost too. Schools work hard to establish a positive culture and build relationships which are shattered when pupils and staff are displaced due to fire.” Increased risk Fires in education centers are a large and ongoing issue, and have been for some time According to Zurich Municipal, which is supporting BAFSA’s Sprinkler Week campaign, fires in education centers are a large and ongoing issue, and have been for some time. To prevent blazes from occurring, Governments in Scotland and Wales have already introduced rules to mandate the installation of sprinklers in all new-build and majorly refurbished schools. Paul Redington, Regional Major Loss Manager for Zurich, said: "For several years, Zurich has called on the Government to bring English schools into line with the rest of Britain, but so far, we have yet to see any movement." Paul Redington adds: "The traditional fire risks of arson, and “hot works” are supplemented by the increase in complex electronic equipment in schools, and the growing trend among young people to use disposable vapes which contain lithium-ion batteries that can ignite if damaged or disposed of incorrectly." Requirement for sprinklers Terry McDermott, Secretary of the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN), stated, "Any decision to remove the requirement for sprinklers in new schools would be a retrograde step." Terry McDermott adds, "Schools are critical buildings in local communities. While it is accepted that there has not been a loss of life in a school fire, the impact of the loss of a school is devastating for the children, parents, and the community."

BAFSA is delighted to announce the approval by OFQUAL, the Qualifications Regulator, of the ABBE Level 3 Award in Inspection and Commissioning of Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems. This new BAFSA qualification relates to the inspection, commissioning of commercial fire sprinkler systems design in accordance with the LPC Rules inc BS EN 12845. Those taking the course will gain the knowledge and skills required to determine sprinkler design in relation to storage configurations, inspection of the system during and at the end of the installation, commissioning of the system and an understanding of the required ongoing maintenance of the system. BAFSA’s Sprinkler Inspection & Commissioning course BAFSA’s Sprinkler Inspection & Commissioning course has been successfully approved by OFQUAL BAFSA’s Sprinkler Inspection & Commissioning course has been successfully approved by OFQUAL, the UK Qualifications Regulator. The qualification will now be named the ABBE Level 3 Award in Inspection & Commissioning of Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems. BAFSA’s Chief Executive, Ali Perry says: “I would like to congratulate BAFSA’s Ruth Oliver and Alan Crichton and our partners at ABBE for achieving this milestone in BAFAS’s ongoing commitment to further enhance the competence of those working within our life saving industry.” BAFSA aims for approved qualifications of new courses Ali Perry adds, “We will continue to work to deliver approved qualifications for the suite of new courses BAFSA is currently developing.” The qualification is one part of the requirement for applications for the Industry Skillcard Fire Sprinkler Engineer (Blue Skilled Worker card).

BAFSA has applauded Cheshire Fire Authority’s recent investment of £36,000 in sprinklers to help protect a newly renovated block of flats in Warrington, United Kingdom (UK). To date, Cheshire Fire Authority has invested over £200,000 in retrofitting sprinklers in high-rise blocks across the county and this most recent project is the 18th building they have helped protect from fire. Sprinkler retrofit work at Kingsway House The installation of the sprinkler system in the building will protect the 53 homes The eight-story Kingsway House on Kingsway South in Latchford was officially re-opened on Friday 8 March 2024, after an extensive £6.3 million refurbishment project managed by Torus Group. The installation of the sprinkler system in the building will protect the 53 homes, and the many people that will live there, from fire. BAFSA’s Chief Executive, Ali Perry, said “It’s fantastic to see such proactive work by Cheshire Fire Authority to complement the operational service they already provide to the community. This forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly save lives.” Need for sprinkler retrofits for old premises Steve McCormick, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Protection, commented: “We’re encouraging decision makers to consider fitting sprinkler systems in all new builds, as well as retrospective fitting in older premises. We want to dispel the myth that they are hugely expensive – the cost of installation and the benefits they bring far outweigh the cost of destruction and potential loss of life and livelihoods caused by fire.” Cllr Stef Nelson, the Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, stated, “We have all seen the total devastation a fire in a tower block can cause and we are committed to working with our social housing partners to provide the best possible protection for residents.” Retrofitting of sprinklers at the Callow Mount BAFSA lent its support to South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service’s retrofitting of sprinklers at the Callow Mount high-rise block in 2011. A report was compiled on the project outlining that fact that retro-fitting sprinklers in not cost-prohibited or disruptive to residents.