Guidelines & Codes of Practice
DCFS 'Sprinklers in Schools
This guidance is one of a series of Standard Specifications, Layouts and Dimensions (SSLD) notes produced to inform the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The guidance in this document will also have direct
application to other state-funded school buildings.
Policy on sprinklers in schools following the introduction of a new policy on sprinkler systems in March 2007, the
Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) now expects the majority of new state-funded schools to be fitted with sprinkler systems. However, the decision should be based on a risk analysis of the particular school concerned. To help clients, local authorities and design teams assess the level of risk and make the right decisions, DCSF has developed two new practical aids: a simple fire risk assessment tool to assess the need for sprinklers in the proposed school building; and a spreadsheet-based
cost benefit analysis tool to help users decide whether sprinklers represent good value for money.
This document should be read in conjunction with DCSF's Building Bulletin 100 Design for fire safety in schools (BB 100)3. BB 100 shows how the requirements for life safety contained in the Building Regulations can be met in the
design of a new or refurbished school. As well as covering life safety, BB 100 emphasises the importance of protecting school buildings from
Who is this guidance for?
• Teachers and governors acting as clients for school capital projects.
• Local authority officers responsible for procuring school capital projects.
• Diocesan building officers.
• Local authority and private sector school designers and specifiers.
• Building control officers (or equivalent) and fire safety officers.
• Manufacturers and suppliers.
• Contractors
Posted on: Sunday 9 August 2009
Updated on: Thursday 17 June 2010
BAFSA Publishes Technical Guidance Note No 1: Residential and Domestic Sprinklers
BAFSA has published its first Technical Guidance Note. This covers issues arising from installers' practical experience of designing and installing residential and domestic sprinkler systems using BS 9251: 2005.
All BAFSA members will be receiving a complimentary copy of the document
Copies are available (up to five) at no cost for fore and rescue service and building control departments. Pdf of the document can be downloaded below.
Posted on: Monday 7 July 2008
Code of Practice: Sprinklers in Schools
A pre-publication draft of the CP can be downloaded here. Printed copies are available at a cost of £6 inlusive of post and packing from: info@basa.org.uk
Posted on: Monday 20 June 2005
Guidelines for the supply of Water to Fire Sprinkler Systems
You can download a copy of the publication in pdf format here.
Posted on: Saturday 29 May 2004