Glasgow School of Art blaze: Sprinklers not fully fitted
THE sprinkler system at the art school had not been fully installed, it was claimed last night.
HUGE fire rips through Glasgow School of Art
The chief executive of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, Keith MacGillivray, said vital parts needed to make the system function were not even on site when the fire broke out.
He added: “I know that for a fact because I know that the pumps for it are still in the factory where they were manufactured. The pipework for supply of water is about 90 per cent complete but there are no tanks and no pumps.”
The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association said it was understood that automatic fire sprinklers had not been fully fitted because the building was still undergoing refurbishment after the first blaze in 2014.
But they added: “It should be realised that sprinklers can be fitted in buildings throughout construction on a temporary basis, as there is a considerable risk from fire during this period.”
The pipework for supply of water is about 90 per cent complete but there are no tanks and no pumps
Business leaders are worried that the fire could force shops, pubs and clubs near the scene to close down and leave their staff out of work.
The chairman of the National Licensed Trade Partnership, Donald MacLeod, who owns the Garage venue near the art school, said: “I fear this will put a number people in the area out of business.”
Mr MacLeod said major street refurbishment and partial pedestrianisation work in the area had already caused widespread disruption for the public.
He added: “I’d heard of some shops seeing turnover drop by as much as 70 per cent. It’s difficult to see how that situation will improve after this latest tragedy.
“Sauchiehall Street is the entertainment mile in Glasgow. I hope the aftermath of the fire won’t stop people coming, but businesses here will need help.
“Glasgow City Council could start by offering a rates discount – or not charging any at all for now.”
Mr MacLeod’s comments were echoed by Colin Borland of the Federation of Small Businesses.
He said: “I was down at that part of Sauchiehall Street earlier on and, for a Saturday lunch-time, there were a lot of closed businesses. If you’re in retail or the pub or restaurant business, things are already tough.
“Rising costs, wafer-thin margins and cautious consumers make it hard to keep your head above water.
“On top of all that, businesses at this end of town are already putting up with the extensive, long-term roadworks that have seen whole tracts of the street fenced off.
“We need to make sure that, while it’s a bitter blow for Glasgow and Scotland’s architectural and cultural heritage, this fire does not also claim good local businesses.”