Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:202. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the fire safety part B regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26221/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 June 2024
Ceisteanna (202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:203. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of buildings 11 metres or above that have utilised any alternative routes to compliance with the part B fire safety regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26222/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:204. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will remove any alternative routes to compliance with the part B fire safety regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26223/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:205. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will remove the class 0 classification from the part B fire safety regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26224/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:206. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ban combustible materials on the façade of buildings 11 metres or above; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26225/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:207. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ban combustible materials on the roof of buildings 11 metres or above; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26226/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:209. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of buildings 11 metres or above across the State, by county, that are in breach of the fire safety regulations, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26228/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207 and 209 together.
The Building Regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment, and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
Following the completion of a comprehensive review of Part B of the Building Regulations dealing with fire safety, I signed the Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations 2024 on 26 March 2024. These Regulations amend Part B (Fire Safety) of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to update fire safety requirements for buildings other than dwelling houses and apply from 1 May 2025 subject to the transitional arrangements cited. To accompany the Regulations, I have published Technical Guidance Document B 2024 – Fire Safety - Volume 1: Buildings other than dwelling houses (TGD B 2024) on my Department’s website.
As part of the Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations 2024 and the associated TGD B 2024, the provisions relating to fire safety in buildings has been strengthened. In response to the question regarding classifications, the Class 0 fire safety classification has been removed for all new buildings, extensions, and new materials added to buildings. In addition, the provisions relating to external fire spread on façades for buildings greater than 15m to the topmost floor have been strengthened. The façade must be composed throughout of materials that meet a Class A2-s3,d2 material, or have passed a full scale test. Fire classifications for roofs have also been updated, with performance now aligned to the European classification method. Article 7(3) of the Building Regulations permits the application of alternative approaches, provided that the requirements of the Building Regulations (in this case, Part B4) has been met. In this regard, my Department has published an Information Note on Alternative Approaches to Demonstrate Compliance with the Building Regulations, which is available on my Department’s website.
In regard to the number of buildings 11 metres or above across the State that are in breach of the fire safety regulations, enforcement of the Building Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Acts 1990 – 2020 to the local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers.