Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2017
634. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the requirements that are imposed on hotels and other accommodation providers in relation to the installation and upkeep of carbon monoxide alarms on their premises; if there is a requirement for such an alarm to be provided in each bedroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49206/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations (Part J Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 133 of 2014) and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document J – Heat Producing Appliances (2014), which came into effect on 1 September 2014, include requirements in relation to the detection and warning of carbon monoxide in new dwellings, and in existing dwellings where the replacement of certain heat producing appliances is proposed. These requirements are in line with best practice in other countries and Ireland is one of the first countries to have such a broad requirement for carbon monoxide alarms.
The requirements under Part J provide for the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in:
- new dwellings where open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed,
- existing dwellings where replacement open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed,
- habitable rooms where a system chimney attached to a heat producing appliance passes within or over such rooms.
While these regulations will give added protection to new dwelling owners, and to the owners of existing dwellings when heat producing appliances are being replaced, it is important to note that the key actions required to prevent carbon monoxide incidences are and continue to be:
(1) the proper installation and commissioning of heat producing appliances and flues/chimneys,
(2) proper air supply is maintained to combustion devices, and
(3) the proper maintenance and inspection of combustion appliances on a regular basis.
In this regard, an analysis of the incidents that have occurred in the UK [Part J 2014 RIA] indicate that the predominant area for carbon monoxide fatalities is in dwellings. This analysis would appear to suggest that non-domestic buildings would not be considered a high risk category having regard to the number of carbon monoxide incidences involved. Accordingly, the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in buildings other than dwellings is not required under the Building Regulations, either here or in the UK.
From the evidence of carbon monoxide incidents in the UK and abroad, the majority appear to occur with solid fuel and gas appliances, and the least with oil fuelled appliances. Open flue or flueless appliances, because they take the combustion air from a room, have a potentially greater risk than a balanced flue scenario.
In addition, Part L of the Building Regulations, which deals with the conservation of fuel and energy, has required all new and replacement boilers in dwellings to have an efficiency of 90% since 1 December 2011. This promotes the installation of room sealed boilers, which have a lower risk of the escape of carbon monoxide due to balanced flues.
