DARWEN Academy risks breaching government guidelines by not installing a sprinkler system in the new £48million building, it has been revealed.

Last year The Department for Children, Schools and Families announced a new policy on sprinklers stating that the government expected “all new schools” to have the safety system bar those classified as low-risk.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has been told that it is unlikely that a sprinkler system will be installed at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy new Redearth Triangle site, which is due to open in 2010.

And when asked by the Lancashire Telegraph whether they would be following the guidelines, the Academy refused to comment.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue’s chief fire officer, Peter Holland said: “We are disappointed that a sprinkler system is not likely to be installed.

“Sprinkler systems can extinguish a fire or limit the impact before fire officers arrive.

“But we are confident that a sophisticated alarm system will be installed in the new building, and that people’s safety will not be put at risk.

“However, there have been two arson fires on Moorland High School in the past, and believe that the disruption of a fire in the new academy building would be significant if sprinklers are not installed.”

Darwen councillor Paul Browne, a member of the Lancashire Fire Authority, said: “I am stunned that a building of that size with all those students and staff will not have a sprinkler system.

“And it’s also a hell of a lot of money if it goes up in smoke.

“People should be demanding that it gets sprinklers.

“I think it’s high time that the law was changed and it became compulsory for all new builds to have a system in place.”

Eight new schools in Burnley and Pendle will each have state-of-the-art fire suppression systems installed, and Lancashire County Council has confirmed its programme of secondary education improvement will include these systems.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has also stated that all newly-built schools should legally be obliged to have the systems to stop teachers and pupils being put at risk.