Máirín Quill
Ceist:315 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment whether he intends to update the building regulations in 1996; and if he will be making it mandatory to install smoke alarms in all new public and private houses. [15003/96]
Written Answers. - Mandatory Smoke Alarms.
I intend to amend the building regulations later this year. Part B of the First Schedule to the Regulations sets out the requirements in relation to fire precautions to be provided for in the design and construction of new buildings. Guidance in relation to compliance with these requirements is contained in Technical Guidance Document B, published under article 5 of the regulations. Houses designed and constructed in accordance with this document must be fitted with smoke alarms. It is planned to publish a revised version of the document by the end of the year which will contain more explicit provisions in relation to the installation of smoke alarms.