A new study conducted by Zurich Municipal has found that an alarming 480 primary and secondary schools experienced fire incidents in 2019 – translating to an average of 40 incidents each month.
The insurer noted that as a result of the fires, nearly 20,000 school children had their education impacted, or were displaced.
Zurich’s study was compiled using data from the UK Fire and Rescue Services. According to 41 out of 54 total Fire and Rescue Service and Authorities in the UK, more than 15,000m² of school spaces were burned down by fires in 2019, across 271 primary and 209 secondary schools.
The study found that of the schools that suffered fire incidents, only seven schools – about 2% – had sprinkler protection in place. It also found that only 15% of all new schools built and open in the UK since 2011 have been fitted with sprinklers.
Although sprinklers are compulsory in all new or major refurbished school buildings in Scotland and Wales, Zurich noted that the same cannot be said in England.
Zurich also revealed in its report that firefighters have responded to almost 2,000 school fires in England alone in the last three years. The leading causes of school fires include malfunctioning appliances or equipment, faulty electrics, arson and kitchen blazes. The report also noted that larger fires in schools cost £2.8 million on average to repair, and can go as high as £20 million.
Many schools lack adequate fire protection and equipment to prevent small fires from becoming larger blazes, Zurich said. Of the over 1,000 school inspections Zurich carried out, 66% of the schools were rated as having “poor” fixed fire protection systems; only 14% were rated as “good” or “excellent.” Another 24% were determined to be “poor” for their lack of fire detection measures.
“With children’s education already severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing we need is further disruption as a result of preventable school fires. As insurers, we work closely with schools to help them manage their fire risks but a simple solution such as the installation of sprinklers could minimise the dangers from the outset, avoiding months or even years of upheaval while the repairs are being carried out,” said Zurich Municipal head of education Tilden Watson.
The report’s findings have led Zurich to launch a parliamentary petition to convince MPs to change the law on sprinklers in schools.
