Sprinklers to be fitted in London schools

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is calling for sprinkler systems to be fitted in all of the capital's schools after new statistics revealed the huge number of blazes in institutions last year. Figures from the brigade show that 113 accidental fires and 36 arson attacks occurred in schools, colleges and nurseries in London in 2011. This is the equivalent of one fire every three days. Nationally, one in eight schools suffered an arson attack last year at a cost of approximately £65 million, with a third of this amount accounted for by London-based educational institutions.

Councillor Susan Hall, chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority's community safety committee, urged local authorities to stop ignoring the huge benefits of sprinklers.

"As well as making sure the children in their care are protected, those responsible for our schools should recognise that sprinklers can dramatically reduce damage by stopping fires from spreading so quickly," she said. "This would help to protect the significant amount of public money invested in our school buildings."