Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations currently in place regarding the safety of hot water storage and piping systems; his views on whether these could be strengthened in view of recent moves in the UK to improve safety standards following the death of a baby girl from scalding as a result of faults in the hot water system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18051/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Part G of the Building Regulations sets requirements for Hygiene. Among these is the requirement for a suitable installation for the provision of hot and cold water to baths or shower baths, washbasins and sinks in dwellings and to washbasins associated with sanitary conveniences in buildings. Technical Guidance Document G refers to standards that cover the design, installation, testing and maintenance of services supplying water for use within buildings, as well as specifications for individual products associated with hot water storage and piping. Where works are carried out in accordance with this guidance, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with the Regulations.

Part D of the Building Regulations deals with Materials and Workmanship. It stipulates that all works are to be carried out with proper materials and in a workmanlike manner. It defines proper materials as those materials which are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are to be used. This can be demonstrated by a product bearing CE Marking in accordance with the EU Construction Products Directive; complying with an appropriate harmonised standard; a European Technical approval or a national technical specification; or complying with an appropriate Irish Standard, an Irish Agrement Board Certificate, or an alternative national technical specification of another State which provides an equivalent level of safety and suitability.

I understand that the National Standards Authority of Ireland, which is under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, set up an Expert Group to examine the area of heating and plumbing in December 2006. On foot of this, work has advanced on a Standard Recommendation for Heating and Plumbing, SR50. This will cover all types of hot water services. It is also intended that a registration/certification system will be set up for installers of heating and plumbing systems.