Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether compliance with the building regulations relating to fire safety cannot be delivered in the case of timber-frame housing unless construction is monitored at all crucial stages by building inspectors competent in fire safety inspection; and if he will indicate when he will introduce such a necessary system of monitoring fire safety compliance during construction. [5926/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Since 1 June 1992, all new, extended or materially altered buildings, including those which have timber frame structures, must be built in compliance with the requirements of the national Building Regulations. Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Implementation and enforcement of the building control system is a matter for the local building control authority.

An Irish standard for Timber Frame Dwellings, I.S 440, was published in June 2009 by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) which specifies the requirements for timber frame construction for dwelling houses and apartment blocks. It specifies all the requirements which must be adhered to for materials, design, manufacture, construction details, site work and quality control.

A full review of Part A (Structure) of the Building Regulations, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document A, has recently been completed by my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Body. The revised Part A /TGD A will, among other things, refer to I.S. 440. Where works are carried out in accordance with this guidance, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with the Regulations. The amended Part A regulations will be signed into law in the coming weeks.

A review of Part B (Fire Safety) /Technical Guidance Document B is currently under way.