Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on children's safety of changes to Building Bulletin 100 guidance relating to sprinkler systems in school buildings.

The requirement for a proper fire risk assessment to determine the need for sprinklers in new schools has not changed. We are currently consulting on updating the Fire Safety Design for Schools – Building Bulletin 100 (BB100) guidance as it is nearly 10 years old.

It remains the case that all new schools are assessed on a case-by-case basis for fire safety and, where it is concluded that sprinklers must be fitted to protect property or keep children safe, they will be. The proper standard of fire safety, to protect life and property, is essential in our schools. All schools must comply with building and fire safety regulations.