Dáil debates

Thursday, 6 November 2008

Adjournment Debate

Fire Safety Standards.

2:00 pm

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me the opportunity to raise this serious issue. Inspections of apartment complexes should be made on a regular basis to ensure they meet fire safety standards.

At 4.30 a.m. last Saturday, a fire broke out in an apartment block on Main Street, Clongriffin, Dublin 13, in my constituency. The fire is believed to have been started by mindless thugs who threw bangers into an industrial bin in the apartment's car park. It is shocking that no fire alarm went off in the apartment complex. If it was not for the fact that several residents returning home at the time noticed smoke and alerted the other occupants of the complex, the outcome could have been far worse. The fire brigade encountered difficulties in entering the complex because a code was required to unlock the gate. It is unacceptable that the fire brigade is not given codes to enter apartment complexes.

I have been informed that the complex contains no fire extinguishers or fire fighting equipment and that the fire alarms were not working properly at the time of the fire. Having visited the location to see the damage first-hand, I can confirm the incident was a near miss. The outcome could have been tragic and I would be failing in my responsibilities as a Deputy if I did not raise this serious issue. In the aftermath of the fire, I wrote to the manager of Dublin City Council to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

I call on the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to instruct local authorities to send fire inspectors to apartment complexes on a quarterly basis, at the minimum, to ensure the law is not being breached. Heavy fines should be imposed on rogue management companies and agents which neglect their duties regarding fire safety. Inspectors must ensure that all apartment complexes have adequate fire safety procedures in place and that fire drills take place on a regular basis. Residents of the Clongriffin complex report that they never went through a fire drill in the two years they have lived there.

I ask that legislation be drafted to set out the responsibilities of management companies in respect of fire safety. It should be a legal requirement that apartments cannot be occupied until a fire officer has inspected the premises. Exactly one year ago, Dublin City Council produced a report entitled Successful Apartment Living. One of the most damning findings of this report was that 75% of private apartment complexes did not have proper fire safety provisions. This is a frightening revelation given the number of people who live in apartment complexes. What action has been taken by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the findings of this report? Have other local authorities carried out inspections to reassure public representatives that fire safety standards are not being breached?

The fire that occurred in Clongriffin is a wake up call to the Government. Approximately 500,000 people reside in apartments managed by approximately 4,600 management companies in Ireland, yet there is no legislation governing them. We want the Government to make these companies responsible for fire safety. The legislation is too loose at present and nobody is taking responsibility for this issue. I want an assurance that local authorities will take the issue more seriously by assigning sufficient staff so that regular inspections can be conducted.

5:00 pm

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Terence Flanagan for raising this matter. He gave us a timely reminder, as winter approaches, of the need to increase vigilance of fire safety and prevention.

The provision of a fire service, including giving advice regarding fire safety, is a matter in the first instance for fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting fire authorities in delivering fire services through the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme and by setting general policy. My Department has issued guidance to fire authorities and property owners and occupiers with a view to reducing fire risks in apartments and hostels. The relevant publications are A Guide to Fire Safety in Flats, Bedsitters and Apartments and Fire Safety in Hostels — A Guide to Fire Safety in Existing Hostels. In this regard, the 1981 Act provides that it is the duty of every person on a premises to conduct him or herself in such a way as to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practical, no person on the premises is exposed to danger from fire as a consequence of his or her actions.

Under the Fire Services Acts, fire authorities can pursue enforcement of fire safety matters, including the management of fire safety. Fire authorities can serve fire safety notices requiring certain works to be carried out and they also have the ultimate sanction of closing premises. They are conscious of their functions under the Fire Services Acts. While they do not require a specific instruction from the Minister in this matter, I agree it is necessary to maintain a constant focus on fire prevention. Deputies may be aware of the annual fire safety week which was organised by my Department last month. Television and other media campaigns will continue until the end of the year. I am sure they also noticed in the media a highly visible campaign entitled "Smoke Kills". It is critical to get the fire safety message across to the most vulnerable groups. Unfortunately, on average 46 people die in Ireland each year from fire. House fires account for the vast majority of fire fatalities. In most of these incidents, a basic level of fire safety education and awareness may have prevented the fire or limited the consequences.

I suggest that the community might assist elderly relatives or neighbours by visiting them regularly to help them carry out a very simple fire safety check on their homes. Overloaded sockets, candles burning unattended, smoking in bed or smoking while taking medication are potential hazards to watch out for. Other potential hazards include faulty electric blankets, frayed electrical leads and clothes or combustible materials kept too close to a fire or heater. If carried out on a regular basis, such checks will help prevent the devastation caused to people and property by fire.

It is important to get the correct balance between enforcement, engineering and education in tackling the danger posed by fire and I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know the House will join me in recognising the commitment of members of the fire service throughout the country. I commend the service, in particular, on its professional approach in dealing with the challenges posed by increased activity over the recent Hallowe'en period.