COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 10, 2017

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor M. Ward

Is the Chief Executive satisfied that due to an increase in combustible material that all part 8 builds will meet all fire safety regulations?

REPLY:

Council Question Q21 - Item ID: 54497

 

There is no evidence of an increase in the use of combustible materials in residential development in Ireland. All buildings must comply with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations. Multi-dwelling buildings including duplexes require a Fire Safety Certificate (including Local Authority properties since the Building Control Amendment Regulations were introduced in 2015). In the case of Grenfell Tower the fire spread along the façade of the building due to what appears to be the incorrect combination of cladding panels and flammable insulation behind. The vast majority of residential buildings in Ireland continue to have outer skin of rendered concrete or brick – including timber-framed structures – and it is unusual to encounter fully-clad buildings as at Grenfell Tower. Council projects avoid use of cladding as a general rule.

Part 8 schemes from the Council are designed to fully comply with Part B Building Regulations in terms of separation/compartmentation, safe escape routes, spread of flame, i.e., combustibility and fire/smoke detection, systems and alarms.

The Council has full confidence that houses to be built through the Part 8 process will be comfortable and safe for their tenants into the future.