asked the Minister for Local Government if he has yet received the report of the expert committee set up in 1960 to revise fire protection standards; and, if so, when he intends to publish it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Protection Standards.
30.
I have not yet received the report of the Committee. I understand, however, that it has been completed and will be submitted to me very shortly. Revised standards based on the Committee's recommendations will be published as soon as possible.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government if there is any national standard with which owners of buildings must comply in regard to fire hazards; or if British standards are applied here; and if he will expedite the provision of such adequate standards as will alleviate public uneasiness caused by recent outbreaks.
In the case of public buildings and institutions the Department published fire protection standards in 1950. It is hoped to issue an up-to-date version of these standards for more general application in the immediate future. In the case of existing potentially dangerous buildings control is exercised by fire brigade authorities under the Fire Brigades Act, 1940.
Fire resisting construction and other precautions in new buildings can be required at present by local authorities in exercise of powers under building bye-laws and the Town Planning Acts where they are in force. The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, empowers me to make building regulations prescribing standards, including fire precaution standards, which will have general application and which will replace the various codes of bye-laws now in force in a number of areas.