COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, January 28, 2013

QUESTION NO. 12

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

"To ask the Manager if there are Council supports in place in the area under the remit of this Committee for (a) Council tenants and (b) other residents for radon testing, carbon monoxide monitors/alarms, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, personal alarms and other alarms or detection devices; to provide details on any such supports or schemes run or supported by the Council; and to make a statement on the matter?"

REPLY:

The Council is legally required to install mains-powered smoke detectors in each of its dwellings.  The installation / checking of smoke detectors was carried out as a joint-programme with the installation of a fire-blanket in each dwelling.  All Council dwellings are in compliance with this requirement.  All apartments owned by the Council are equipped with smoke detectors and heat detectors connected to fire-alarm systems as required for compliance with the Fire Safety section of the Building Regulations.  Burglar / intruder alarms are provided by the Council only in the case of sheltered housingfor older tenants.  Individual older tenants outside sheltered schemes are provided with alarm-pendants for their safety.  Carbon monoxide detectors are not required by law / Building Regulations and are not fitted as standard in Council dwellings.  They are optional for both Council tenants and other residents.

South Dublin is in an area with one of the lowest risks of radon in Ireland.  Tests carried out over the years by the Council have not identified any instances of radon infiltritation in Council stock.  Testing will be carried out as spot checks or in the case of specific problems identified.

Overall, there are currently no Council supports for residents other than Council tenants in the area of radon, carbon monoxide, intruder or fire alarms.