§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the continuing adequacy of the current regulations made under the Education Act 1944 for ensuring the safety of schools and their occupants in case of fire. [37761]
§ Mrs. GillanA number of requirements relating to fire safety in school buildings are set out in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981, which are made under section 10 of the Education Act 1944. These requirements have been retained and repeated in the366W revised version of those regulations, which subject to the approval of Parliament, will enter into force from next January. Buildings which comply with the requirements will provide an adequate level of protection against fire.
Detailed guidance about fire and the design of educational buildings appears in the Department's "Building Bulletin 7."