A STUDENT is using his university know-how to help keep local firefighters safe.

Graham Olorenshaw teamed up with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to help construct a special building to test sprinkler systems as part of his Fire Safety Management degree course at Preston's University of Central Lancashire.

And grafting Graham, 43, of School Lane, Longton, single-handedly managed to raise more than £20,000 worth of building materials and supplies for the project in just under five months!

The hard-working mature student is set to finish the project next week ahead of its official unveiling at Washington Hall Fire Training Centre, in Euxton, near Leyland, in mid-March by Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland.

As part of his final year of studies Graham and the fire-fighting force put their heads together and came up with a building design to simulate the conditions of a real house fire, showing what effects different sprinkler systems could have on putting out the fire.

And the student's ideas have been praised by the fire service for their life-saving benefits.

Graham said: "This is something completely new for me and I have been designing the building from scratch.

"I have always been interested in fire. I saw one many years ago and it was quite fascinating to watch. Then I worked for seven years at a local construction company and saw a few safety videos which were horrific.

"So I got in touch with the university to ask about fire degrees.

"It's been hard and there have been occasions when I thought, why am I doing this? Then I remember why."

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue service said: "Graham has picked an area of vital importance.

"We recommend the fitting of smoke detectors but there are people who still do not fit them, or leave the batteries out.

"So the ultimate protection would be provided by a sprinkler system in domestic properties.

"Any research into into that would be a major contribution to fire safety.

"Sprinklers will reduce the impact of a fire and contributes to the safety of fire officers. If a sprinkler is triggered it will be a much smaller fire and their lives wouldn't be on the line."