Call for sprinklers in new schools as study reveals true cost of fires
A new report commissioned by the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN) has warned that school fires are costing more than £126 million a year and causing widespread disruption to children’s education, with six incidents every week damaging at least one classroom.
The report, which was announced at an event at the House of Lords yesterday (February 26th) builds on the NFSN's 2017 research concluding that sprinkler systems are both highly reliable and effective across all building types. However, the latest study highlights growing concern over a decline in the number of newly built schools fitted with sprinklers, as some developers move away from guidance set out in BB100, citing perceived cost pressures.
The independent analysis, carried out by Optimal Economics, examined fire reports from across England between 2010/11 and 2023/24. While the overall number of school fires has fallen over the past decade, the report found there are still an average of 350 school fires per year - the equivalent of six to seven each week.
On average, each blaze causes damage equivalent to the loss of one classroom. In more serious cases, particularly fires that break out in the evening or overnight, multiple classrooms can be destroyed. The study found that one fire per week results in several classrooms being affected.
Researchers concluded that the financial impact is significant. Direct and consequential costs, including property damage, emergency response, temporary accommodation and transport to alternative schools amount to an estimated £282,200 per fire, or more than £126 million annually. This figure does not include harder-to-quantify impacts such as stress, disruption to learning, and effects on vulnerable pupils.
The Government has previously estimated that a single missed day of school equates to £750 in lost lifetime earnings per pupil. Factoring this into the economic assessment, the report found that if the non-monetised benefits of installing sprinklers in new secondary schools amount to £460 per pupil per year, the cost of installation would be fully offset. That figure is lower than the projected lifetime earnings lost from just one day of absence.
For primary schools, the report suggests that the equivalent of three missed days would justify sprinkler installation on economic grounds. Given that major school fires typically cause far longer disruption, the case for sprinklers in new school buildings “would seem self-evident,” the authors state.
The research also found that more than 97% of school fires over the past 14 years occurred in buildings without sprinkler protection. In cases where sprinklers were installed and activated, they extinguished the fire in 71% of incidents and successfully contained or controlled it in a further 27% - an overall effectiveness rate of 98%.
Beyond the financial losses, the study highlights the broader social consequences of school fires. Schools are described as critical local infrastructure, providing not only education but also community services, support networks and spaces for local groups. When a school is lost to fire, families can face upheaval, staff face job insecurity, and children may experience stress and reduced wellbeing.
A case study of Ravensdale Infants School in Derby, which was destroyed by fire in 2020, illustrates the far-reaching effects on pupils, parents and staff. The report credits Head Teacher Lorna Blanchenot and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager Adam Bleakman for helping document the impact. Watch a short video on this effects of this fire here
Download a copy of the report here