COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, July 10, 2017
QUESTION NO.4
QUESTION: Councillor E. Fanning
To ask the Chief Executive if, in the light of the Grenfell Tower Fire tragedy, South Dublin County Council has taken any actions to investigate the existing fire standards of properties within the ownership of the Council, properties being rented out by the Council or properties being rented from other parties by the Council and if so, to identify any such actions.
REPLY:
All local authorities are currently conducting a fire safety review of their multi-storey social housing buildings. The review is concentrating specifically on common areas with a primary focus of ensuring that all early warning systems, including fire alarm and detection systems, emergency lighting and means of escape including corridors, stairways and emergency exits are in place and are fully functional.
The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has requested that this review is completed by 19th July 2017.
Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, the duty of care in respect to fire safety in buildings is with the person(s) having control over the premises (e.g. the owner/occupier). The Fire authorities have a range of powers of inspection and enforcement for fire prevention/safety measures in existing buildings.
Multi-storey social housing buildings for the purpose of this review include local authority owned stock, multi-storey housing buildings leased in full by local authorities, together with multi-storey housing buildings fully tenanted by social housing tenants under agreements with Approved Housing Bodies. In situations where local authority accommodation is provided within a privately owned, multi-storey development, the local authority is required to contact in writing the relevant management company to remind them of their obligations.
In this regard the Council carries out quarterly checks on units and currently carrying out the 2nd Quarter inspections. For those units in multi-storey developments either leased or owned by the Council and managed by an Approved Housing Body all have been communicated with in writing and are required to carry out the necessary checks as set out above. In addition the council is writing to all management companies of multi storey developments within the county where the council has units of social housing to remind them of their obligations.
An alert has also been issued to all registered users of the Building Control Management System (owners, developers, assigned certifiers) with respect to compliance with the Building Regulations and in particular Part B of Fire Safety which governs:
- Means of escape in case of fire
- Internal fire spread (linings and structure)
- External fire spread
- Access and facilities for the fire service
DHPCLG’s “Guide to Fire Safety in Flats, Bedsits and Apartments” addresses the protection of life from fire in existing flats and buildings containing flats and provides guidance for a person having control of a building.
In terms of raising awareness with landlords, including landlords of households in receipt of social housing supports and rental assistance, the Residential Tenancies Board have been asked to notify all landlords of their responsibilities and obligations as landlords in terms of ensuring that their properties fully comply with fire safety requirements.
Local authorities and the Fire Service are continuously promoting awareness of measures which provide protection from fire dangers. In particular:
- The vital importance of smoke alarms to give early warning of fire
- Regular testing of smoke alarms
- Prevention of fire through control of ignition sources, for example unplugging electrical appliances, including phone chargers at night, extinguishing fires and candles
- Having a plan in place for evacuation in the event of a fire alarm
- Practicing putting the evacuation plan into action
Fire prevention campaigns such as Community Fire Safety initiatives and Pre-Incident Planning have been key contributors in reducing the number of fire fatalities in recent years. Local level initiatives such as the Primary Schools Programme, the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme and the dissemination of fire safety messaging through social media and advertising campaigns have been particularly effective in this regard and will continue. Useful information on fire safety in the home is available at: http://www.housing.gov.ie/community/fire-and-emergency-management/fire-safety/fire-safety-your-home
Further information on fire safety is also available at the Health and Safety Authority website: http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Fire/
Anyone with queries in relation to fire safety is encouraged to contact their local authority.