Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
308. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if appropriate measures are in place in publicly-owned houses, flats and apartments to prevent residential fires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14372/20]
View answer309. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the prevalence of combustible construction materials and non-fire retardant paint in publicly-owned houses, flats and apartments; the extent to which these materials pose a residential fire risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14373/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting national policy, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters, providing capital funding for priority infrastructure projects and overseeing and administering a central national training programme.
A Fire Safety Task Force was established by my Department in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. The Report of the Task Force, published in May 2018, highlights that in most buildings and circumstances the safest approach and the default option for all occupants of the building is to evacuate in the event of fire or alarm. Individual buildings should have fire safety strategies involving the in-built passive features, active fire protection systems (such as fire detection & alarm, and emergency lighting), and a complete building management approach, including management of fire safety to prevent fires occurring in the first place and maintenance of the building and its fire protection systems. In houses, flats and apartments, residents have a large part to play in prevention of fires, in particular through care with ignition sources.
In June 2017, as part of the Fire Safety Task Force Review, local authorities were asked by my Department to assess multi-storey, multi-unit social housings’ fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting systems and common escape routes, including corridors, stairways and emergency exits, and to ensure that such systems are in place and fully functional. The presence of fire detection and alarm systems was confirmed in 94% of these buildings with common escape routes. The presence of emergency lighting systems in common escape routes was confirmed in 93% of buildings, while 98% of buildings had unobstructed access/egress at the time of inspection. In those cases where deficiencies were found, housing authorities were requested to carry out repairs or remedial works as soon as practicable.
The design and construction of buildings, including standards of fire safety, is regulated under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014. The Acts provide for the making of Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations. One of the primary purposes for which the Building Regulations may be made is the health, safety and welfare of persons in and around buildings.
The Second Schedule of the Building Regulations 1997- 2017, sets out the statutory minimum performance requirements for the construction of new buildings (including dwellings) and extensions to existing buildings, as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. Part B of the Second Schedule of the Building Control Regulations and Technical Guidance Document B (of 2017 for dwelling houses, and of 2006 (reprint 2020) for other buildings) deal with fire safety – including provisions in respect of materials used in building construction.
The number of fire fatalities in buildings in Ireland has shown a welcome downward trend for a number of years. Provision of a working smoke alarm is the most important step people can take, to enhance fire safety in the home. My Department continues to emphasise this in its “STOP Fire” campaign which outlines that “Together we can STOP fire: Smoke alarms – Test alarms weekly – Obvious dangers – Plan your escape.”
The focus in Building Regulations is on protection of people rather than property, although fire safety measures designed to protect life may also have the benefit of protecting property. The Schedule of Building Regulations is comprised of twelve distinct parts, classified Parts A to M, each of which sets functional requirements for buildings or works e.g. structure, fire safety, energy conservation, accessibility etc. My Department publishes Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) in relation to each of the twelve parts. These guidance documents set out how the legal requirements can be achieved in practice.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations, including fire safety, rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Auditing and enforcement of the provisions of the Fire Services Act and Building Regulations is a function of the 31 local authorities, who have a suite of enabling and enforcement powers under both legislative codes.
