Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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32. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing legislation to ensure the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in public places, such as in hotels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9100/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The recent Building Regulations (Part J Amendment) Regulations 2014 and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document J – Heat Producing Appliances (2014), which came into effect on 1 September 2014, include new requirements in relation to the detection and warning of carbon monoxide in new dwellings, and in existing dwellings where the replacement of certain heat producing appliances is proposed. These requirements are in line with best practice in other countries and Ireland is one of the first countries to have such a broad requirement for carbon monoxide alarms.

From the evidence of carbon monoxide incidents in the UK and abroad, the majority appear to occur with solid fuel and gas appliances, with oil being the safest. Open flue or flueless appliances, because they take the combustion air from a room, have a potentially greater risk than a balanced flue scenario. In addition, Part L of the Building Regulations, which deals with the conservation of fuel and energy, has required all new and replacement boilers in dwellings to have an efficiency of 86% since 31 March 2008 and an efficiency of 90% since 1 December 2011. This promotes the installation of room sealed boilers, which have a lower risk of the escape of carbon monoxide due to balanced flues.

From an analysis of the incidents that have occurred in the UK, the predominant area for carbon monoxide fatalities is in dwellings. This analysis would appear to suggest that non-domestic buildings would not be considered high risk category having regard to the number of carbon monoxide incidences involved.

In light of the above factors, the latest requirements under Part J provide for the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in:

- new dwellings where open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed,

- existing dwellings where replacement open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed,

- habitable rooms where a system chimney attached to a heat producing appliance passes within or over such rooms.

While the new regulations will give added protection to new dwelling owners, and to the owners of existing dwellings when heat producing appliances are being replaced, it is important to note that the key actions required to prevent carbon monoxide incidences are and continue to be:

(1) the proper installation and commissioning of heat producing appliances and flues/chimneys,

(2) proper air supply is maintained to combustion devices, and

(3) the proper maintenance and inspection of combustion appliances on a regular basis.