Vol. 428 No. 1
238 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by both landlord and tenants as a result of the absence of any guidelines/regulations covering fire safety of listed or period buildings in multi-occupation; if he will introduce any guidelines/regulations; if so, when he envisages they may be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
241 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to fire safety, he has considered, the guidelines contained in Circular 12/92 Houses in Multiple Occupation, Guidance to local housing authorities on standards of fitness under Section 352 of the Housing Act, 1985, which was issued to local authorities in England by the Department of the Environment in London; if, pending the introduction of such guidelines in Ireland, he considers it appropriate that local authorities, landlords and tenants should, in the interim, rely on Circular 12/92; if he will direct local authorities to adopt Circular 12/92; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 241 together.
Statutory responsibility for taking all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire in a building to which the Fire Services Act, 1981 applies, and for ensuring as far as is reasonably practicable the safety of persons in the building in the event of an outbreak of fire rests with the person having control over the premises.
My Department has published a number of documents giving advice and guidance on fire safety. These include a Code of Practice for the Management of Fire Safety in Places of Assembly; a Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Furnishing and Fittings in Places of Assembly; and a Guide to Fire Precautions in Hotels, Guesthouses and Similar Premises. In addition, Technical Guidance Document B (Fire) published under the Building Regulations, 1991, gives guidance on compliance with the relevant requirements of the Regulations where a material alteration or extension, or a material change of use, of an existing building is being undertaken.
