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

Ahead of the much anticipated review of BB100 for England, British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd’s (BAFSA) sprinkler ambassador and the driving force behind the website, Sprinkler Saves UK, has compiled a report for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to form part of the industry’s case to Government to make sprinklers mandatory in all new schools in England as they are in Scotland and Wales. The report details case studies where sprinklers have actuated having an impact involving educational premises. Sprinkler Saves The report covers 10 sprinkler saves reported to Sprinkler Saves UK, involving schools between the period - November 2021 to May 2023, viewers can click on each activation and read more about the incident. Half of the incidents were malicious with the location involving toilets or a changing room – which highlights the problem of arson in schools. Nick then details several incidents in depth to demonstrate how effective sprinklers have been in school fires. Nick says: “School fires have a devastating impact on both a school and a community. Every year many schools are damaged or destroyed by fires, affecting the education of pupils across the country causing millions of pounds worth of damage."

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).