Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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232. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide details of the proposed amendments to building regulations regarding fire safety and proposals in relation to smoke toxicity and building materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3864/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Building Regulations relating to fire safety. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the re-use of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying and rationalising fire safety requirements. The review is also a key action of the government’s Housing for All plan, which commits to an ongoing review of Building Regulations to drive compliance and standards through regulatory reform. Fire safety regulations for dwelling houses were updated in 2017. The regulations currently out for public consultation relate to fire safety requirements in all other buildings.

Changes in the design and construction of buildings, with taller and larger, more complex layouts; the use of new and innovative building systems and materials; changes in the provision of heating, ventilation, and access for the health and safety of occupants; and improvements in energy performance, have necessitated a review of Part B – Fire Safety and the associated Technical Guidance Document B (TGD B). The review has also taken into account common and emerging building trends; developments and events from a global perspective; matters relating to external fire spread; external fire resistance; internal fire resistance; cladding systems, sprinklers; and the review into the Grenfell fire.

The proposed TGD B, across the entirety of its guidance, provides a means of limiting fire growth and spread via elements of construction - in relation to building materials there is specific guidance in respect of the classification of internal and external linings that restricts fire propagation, and in some cases, limits smoke and flaming droplet production in a manner that is adequate to ensure the health and safety of people in and about buildings.

In carrying out the review, specific regard was given to the holistic requirements of the Building Regulations in Ireland; the framework of administration set out under the Building Control Regulations; fire safety; planning, and Irish health and safety laws; and Irish policy documents outlining national strategy and objectives, such as Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland; and Fire Safety in Ireland – The Report of the Fire Safety Task Force 2018.

The proposed amendments to the Building Regulations in respect of fire safety include updates to means of alert in case of fire, an inhibition to the spread of fire over the face of the building, and the provision of information to building owners in respect of fire safety systems installed in the building.

Details of the public consultation page can be found at www.gov.ie/en/consultation/1ed7c-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-part-b-fire-safety-of-the-building-regulations/. I encourage all interested parties to make a submission to partbconsultation@housing.gov.ieby 5pm on 21 April 2023.