Vol. 513 No. 6
330 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce regulations obliging property owners to install smoke alarms in their buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3021/00]
Part B of the building regulations, which came into effect on 1 June, 1992, sets out the requirements in relation to fire safety in the design and construction of new buildings and the extension of, material alteration or change of use to existing buildings. Buildings built and/or extended in accordance with the 1991 edition of technical guidance document B required that the buildings be fitted with battery operated smoke alarms.
I published a revised and upgraded technical guidance document B (fire safety) in December, 1997, which recommends that buildings built and/or extended on or after 1 July 1998 should be fitted with mains operated smoke alarms, rather than battery operated alarms.
The National Safety Council actively encourages fire safety in the home as part of its ongoing fire safety education and publicity campaigns. Particular stress has been placed in its campaigns on the value of smoke alarms which, if properly installed and maintained, can provide early warning of fire and save lives. These campaigns have stressed the need to check batteries in smoke alarms regularly. The council has also carried out a campaign in recent years to install smoke alarms in houses occupied by the elderly and other vulnerable persons. In addition, local authorities have been asked by my Department to consider the provision of smoke alarms in their rented dwellings.
I have no proposals to introduce legislation to provide for mandatory installation of smoke alarms in existing buildings generally. Fire safety is the responsibility of the individual property owners.
