State backflips on school aircons

The state government says it will assume the risk of voiding building warranties and allow all school facilities built under the Building the Education Revolution program to have air conditioning installed.

Schools outside of the Department of Education's air cooling zone that received new buildings under the BER program were given the option of having evaporative air conditioning systems installed during construction, but at the school's expense.

But schools outside the zone have been unable to install their own air conditioning because the works could void the 12 month builders' warranty period.

Education Minister Liz Constable said the state government would assume that risk.

"Advice recently received from the State Solicitor's Office says provided the equipment and installation is in accordance with Building Management and Works standards, it is envisaged that the risk to buildings, and therefore warranties, will be mitigated," she said.

"It is prudent the State Government have these warranty periods on new buildings, to protect the taxpayer if anything goes wrong during the building process or faults are found while the building is new."

Of the 671 schools that received new buildings under BER, 368 were outside of the air cooling zone.

Ms Constable said is was important to protect taxpayers from any liability through the application of warranty periouds. .

"Notwithstanding this and with serious consideration together with legal advice, we have now found a way to help these schools to get their air-conditioning installed within these warranty periods."

Premier Colin Barnett said the Education Department was currently reviewing its air cooling zones.

"Obviously you do the schools that are in the hottest conditions first, they are the ones that will get priority," Mr Barnett said.

"In time, you will see all schools in this state air conditioned but that's going to take a number of years.