Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss Review of Part B (Fire Safety) of Building Regulations

The meeting at 3pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and representatives from Dublin City Council and Dublin Fire Brigade.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Steven Matthews said: “Last year the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage launched a comprehensive review of Part B of the Building Regulations 1997 to update fire safety requirements for buildings other than houses, such as apartment and office complexes.

“This review took into account issues including common and emerging building trends, global developments and events, matters relating to fire spread and fire resistance, cladding systems and sprinklers, and the review into the Grenfell Tower fire in London.

“Following completion of this review, the Minister signed the Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations 2024 on 26 March 2024, which update the 1997 Regulations and will apply from 1 May 2025.

“The Committee welcomes this engagement on the new, updated regulations and looks forward to discussing their application and related matters with representatives of the Department, and Dublin City Council and Dublin Fire Brigade to ensure fire safety compliance through good building design in in both new and existing buildings.”

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.