COUNTY Durham and Darlington's fire chief wants new schools to have sprinkler systems incorporated into their designs.

George Herbert told yesterday's fire authority meeting that school fires cost the nation about £100m each year and 70pc were caused by arson.

"This is the equivalent to the cost of building 100 new primary schools or employing over 5,000 teachers."

The impact on the children's education could not be ignored, following the destruction of books, course work, examination paperwork and personal belongings.

The chief fire officer said he would also like sprinklers installed where buildings were undergoing major refurbishment or were thought to be a high risk. They reduced the amount of heat, fire and smoke damage and the dangers to pupils, staff and indeed firefighters.

"The installation of a sprinkler system, which can cost less than 2pc of a buildings capital cost, also allows for greater flexibility in design and layout, which can result in a reduction in construction costs.

"Similarly, insurers look very favourably on the use of sprinkler systems in schools and often give discounts on buildings and contents premiums as a result."

He said the brigade was working closely with Durham County Council in an effort to promote the use of sprinklers and it would be approaching Darlington Borough Council in a similar vein.

A spokesman for the council said there were no sprinklers in Darlington schools and so far it had not been decided whether to include them in the new Firthmoor Primary School.