Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are specific fire safety regulations for nursing homes; and if he will give details of same. [9746/04]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has published a number of codes of practice providing advice on fire safety in specific groups of premises. A guide entitled Fire Safety in Nursing Homes — A Guide to Fire Safety in Existing Nursing Homes and Similar Type Premises, published in 1996, provides comprehensive practical guidance to proprietors of such premises on the fire safety measures they should take. It provides that a proactive fire safety management policy should be in place to minimise the risk of fire occurring and to ensure the safety of any persons on the premises. Section 18A(4) of the Fire Services Act 1981, as amended, provides statutory backing for this guide.

The fire safety of the design, construction, material alteration or extension of new nursing homes is governed by Part B — fire safety — of the national building regulations made under the Building Control Act 1990. Guidance on how to comply with Part B for nursing homes is set out in Technical Guidance Document B (TGD-B) published by my Department. My Department has published a draft revised edition of TGB B, primarily to implement EU fire performance standards for construction products. This will not have any significant impact on nursing home accommodation.