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Sprinklers go in classroom
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| Lord Williams's School in Thame on fire after an arson attack |
A sprinkler system is being installed in a new £3m science block at an Oxfordshire secondary school after a policy shake-up in the light of several high-profile blazes.
It is the first time such a system has been approved by County Hall leaders after they agreed a new policy last year to improve fire protection.
Staff and pupils at the Marlborough Church of England School in Woodstock will be able to use the building from September next year after the project was approved.
The council's policy now says all new schools will have sprinklers fitted, unless they are considered a low risk - and the science block was considered a big enough investment to merit the sprinkler system.
Liberal Democrat county councillor Jean Fooks said she was "delighted" by the decision after demanding the council reviewed its fire protection measures.
Tory county councillor Michael Waine, cabinet member for schools improvement, said: "The sprinkler system is being installed as part of the new assessment policy, which is in operation.
"I believe this is the first time this has happened under the new policy, but this does not mean other sprinkler systems will be fitted.
"The reality is if you put these systems in every single piece of new work in the capital build programme, it would take out millions of pounds so sprinklers will have to be fitted on an assessed-risk basis."
In February, Thame arsonist Craig Ford, 23, was found guilty and jailed for five years for setting fire to a drama block at Lord Williams's School.
Ford, whose last known address was Seven Acres in Thame, lit the fire because he had cut his finger while ransacking a cupboard and wanted to destroy DNA evidence.
The fire caused up to £500,000 damage and 65 firefighters fought to stop 60ft flames spreading to the main school building.
Work on the new science block at the Marlborough School will start in October. The existing science laboratories will be converted into an ICT suite of four classrooms and two large general classrooms.
7:15am Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: DanOxford on 9:51am Thu 8 May 08
'Sprinkler system fitted to building!'
God only knows what stories were knocked off the top spot by the Oxford Mail when this story broke...
'Sprinkler system fitted to building!'
God only knows what stories were knocked off the top spot by the Oxford Mail when this story broke...
Posted by: Sid Hunt on 1:55pm Thu 8 May 08
It's a local paper reporting on local events. I'm sure those affected are interested to read the report. National news is available on other outlets.
It's a local paper reporting on local events. I'm sure those affected are interested to read the report. National news is available on other outlets.
Posted by: DanOxford on 2:55pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Sid Hunt[/bold] wrote:
It's a local paper reporting on local events. I'm sure those affected are interested to read the report. National news is available on other outlets.[/quote] Well Sid, if we take you as a benchmark, I I bet the inhabitants of Oxford(shire) are eagerly awaiting 'scoops' such as 'Man Sleeps Wih Wife!' and 'Extra Pint Left At Number 34!'
Fitting sprinklers is hardly an 'event' is it? Rather than having such mind- numbingly tedious 'news' on the Oxford Mail site, I would happily buy anyone who applies a subscription to 'Sprinkler News' with a bonus copy of 'What Fire Extinguisher?'
Sid Hunt wrote:
It's a local paper reporting on local events. I'm sure those affected are interested to read the report. National news is available on other outlets.
Well Sid, if we take you as a benchmark, I I bet the inhabitants of Oxford(shire) are eagerly awaiting 'scoops' such as 'Man Sleeps Wih Wife!' and 'Extra Pint Left At Number 34!'
Fitting sprinklers is hardly an 'event' is it? Rather than having such mind- numbingly tedious 'news' on the Oxford Mail site, I would happily buy anyone who applies a subscription to 'Sprinkler News' with a bonus copy of 'What Fire Extinguisher?'
Posted by: Sid Hunt on 3:41pm Thu 8 May 08
Why get personal? Just because an item does not interest you doesn't make it any less relevant to others in Oxon.
There are many reports in the OM that do not interest me but I don't see them as opportunities to criticise.
I, for one, like to know where my taxes are being spent. Improving the safety of school property and the school populus seems to be a worthwhile cause. If this wasn't 'reported'in the OM how else would the residents of Oxon find out? Do you suggest we all apply for copies of all council meetings' notes to study?
Why get personal? Just because an item does not interest you doesn't make it any less relevant to others in Oxon.
There are many reports in the OM that do not interest me but I don't see them as opportunities to criticise.
I, for one, like to know where my taxes are being spent. Improving the safety of school property and the school populus seems to be a worthwhile cause. If this wasn't 'reported'in the OM how else would the residents of Oxon find out? Do you suggest we all apply for copies of all council meetings' notes to study?
Posted by: DanOxford on 5:53pm Thu 8 May 08
[bold]Sid Wrote:[/bold] [italic]Do you suggest we all apply for copies of all council meetings' notes to study?[/italic]
I'll put them in with your copies of 'Sprinkler News' and 'What Fire Extinguisher?' I'll also include something a bit 'harder' with 'Euro Fire Escape Construction'- all delivered discretely in a plain brown package as usual Sid! :O)
Sid Wrote: Do you suggest we all apply for copies of all council meetings' notes to study?
I'll put them in with your copies of 'Sprinkler News' and 'What Fire Extinguisher?' I'll also include something a bit 'harder' with 'Euro Fire Escape Construction'- all delivered discretely in a plain brown package as usual Sid! :O)
Posted by: Patto army, oxfordshire on 7:21pm Thu 8 May 08
Well Sid, if we take you as a benchmark, I I bet the inhabitants of Oxford(shire) are eagerly awaiting 'scoops' such as 'Man Sleeps Wih Wife!' and 'Extra Pint Left At Number 34!'-Shut up- all you do is moan at otherpeople- dont like the story don't read the paper- OXFORD MAIL-its called that as its news about OXFORD and the surrounding areas.
I, for one, like to know where my taxes are being spent. Improving the safety of school property and the school populus seems to be a worthwhile cause. If this wasn't 'reported'in the OM how else would the residents of Oxon find out-WELL PUT Sid,
Well Sid, if we take you as a benchmark, I I bet the inhabitants of Oxford(shire) are eagerly awaiting 'scoops' such as 'Man Sleeps Wih Wife!' and 'Extra Pint Left At Number 34!'-Shut up- all you do is moan at otherpeople- dont like the story don't read the paper- OXFORD MAIL-its called that as its news about OXFORD and the surrounding areas.
I, for one, like to know where my taxes are being spent. Improving the safety of school property and the school populus seems to be a worthwhile cause. If this wasn't 'reported'in the OM how else would the residents of Oxon find out-WELL PUT Sid,
Posted by: Stewart Kidd, Ely on 5:57pm Mon 12 May 08
As the publisher of [italic]Sprinkler News[/italic] I was delighted to learn that Oxfordshire had at last decided to follow the 100 plus other education authorities who routinely fit sprinklers to new schools in deciding to protect the pupils, staff and visitors in this new school. (I'm sure the firefighters who will no longer have to risk their lives in entering unprotected schools will also be grateful). All praise to the Oxford Mail for informing those of in the rest of the country of this development.
As the publisher of
Sprinkler News I was delighted to learn that Oxfordshire had at last decided to follow the 100 plus other education authorities who routinely fit sprinklers to new schools in deciding to protect the pupils, staff and visitors in this new school. (I'm sure the firefighters who will no longer have to risk their lives in entering unprotected schools will also be grateful). All praise to the Oxford Mail for informing those of in the rest of the country of this development.
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