FIRE ALERT AT NEW HOSPITAL

Oct 17 2007 By, Stirling Observer

FAILURE to fit sprinklers into Forth Valley’s new multi-million pound hospital will be a disgrace, say firefighters.

The Fire Brigades Union says it believes a decision has been made not to fit sprinklers in the new acute hospital in Larbert, which is currently under construction.

And it adds that such a decision must be based on saving money and therefore can only be described as “disgraceful”.

The FBU says there is a mass of evidence showing that sprinklers kill fires in their early stages, preventing large-scale damage and also greatly reducing the threat to life.

All new covered shopping centres, care homes and sheltered housing must now be fitted with sprinklers, yet new hospitals and schools are not covered by the legislation and so it can only be advisable.

The union’s local secretary Gordon McQuade said: “Everybody in the British fire service, including the chief fire officers, knows the value of fitting sprinklers and are strongly advising that they are fitted in all new builds. Put simply they are a terrific fire-fighting tool.

“A fire in this hospital would be easily put out in its early stages by the use of sprinklers, thus massively reducing damage and any threat to life. This has been recognised by the people behind the building of secondary schools in Central Scotland.

“Because of the decision not to fit sprinklers, our members will probably be met with a developing fire where non-ambulant patients may require to be rescued.

“This greatly increases the risk, not only to firefighters but also to the patients and staff within the hospital.

“When you think that the total repayable for this hospital is nearly £1.2 billion of taxpayers money, the decision not to fit sprinklers is not only staggering but also absolutely disgraceful.

“There will also only be one major hospital in Forth Valley after 2009, which means that should a serious fire hit A and E or intensive care then Forth Valley will be without these departments and will need to ask other health service trusts to take Forth Valley patients while rebuilding work goes on.

“For the relatively small initial investment compared to the total cost of this project, sprinklers are a must and everyone who knows anything about the fire industry will confirm they are worth their weight in gold.”

The health board had been approached but had not responded as the Observer went to press.