Sprinkler decision '˜not yet finalised' for new Selsey Academy
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It follows BBC South Today reporting that TKAT had chosen not to fit a sprinkler system in the new school, which will be built on the site where a major fire destroyed the old secondary school in August 2016.
In a statement to the Observer, Karen Roberts, chief executive of TKAT, said: “All building work is subject to both our internal stringent regulations and those of the Department for Education and local authority.
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Hide Ad“The decision on whether to install sprinklers in the new build at The Academy Selsey has not yet been finalised, as it will be based on the requirements of the Education Funding Agency.
“Our fire safety standards are subject to regular review, and this ensures we can be confident we have all the necessary precautions in place.”
The devastating fire almost a year ago destroyed most of the school buildings.
The school did not have a sprinkler system fitted, though a fire service spokesman said at the time there was no evidence to suggest it would have prevented the rapid spread of the flames.
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Hide AdThe Government’s Design in Fire Safety in Schools guidelines, updated in August last year shortly after the Selsey fire, ‘no longer include an expectation that most new school buildings will be fitted with them (sprinklers)’.
However, Tony Morris, a retired former firefighter of 32 years, said: “Reports that the trust running the Selsey Academy do not intend to fit sprinklers in the rebuilt school are beyond belief.
“Professional advice and common sense say that sprinklers should be fitted, but TKAT say they won’t, because they are ‘not a requirement’.
“Well it is not a requirement to look for traffic before crossing the road, it is just a recommendation, but only a fool does not do so.”
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Hide AdMr Morris said fires also pose a danger to firefighters and to nearby properties, adding that ‘all these negative effects and risks can be removed by fitting sprinklers, which is relatively inexpensive in new buildings’.
He added: “TKAT must reconsider and do the right thing for pupils, staff, local residents and firefighters.”
The 400 pupils are currently being taught in temporary classrooms on the school grounds ahead of the new ‘state-of-the-art’ school being built.
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