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Fire Safety Standards In Ireland - How Safe Are We

By: Paul Leahy
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:27
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A leading Fire Safety expert has recently queried the soundness of statutory fire safety regulations. Lack of enforcement of Fire Safety regulations exposes the consumer to the consequences of outbreaks of fire in domestic and other buildings in this country.

Norman Campbell, resident of Wicklow town and Fire Safety Consultant with extensive experience in The Mainland U.K, Northern Ireland and The Republic made these frightening claims to Wicklow-Online recently.

Responding to a Press Release by Minister for Heritage, Environment and Local Government, Mr. Dick Roche. TD in which the minister calls for more active enforcement of the building relations and seeks co-operation from individual county managers in enforcing regulations. The minister justifies his concern for such action with the news that 90% of local authorities inspect 12/15% buildings of which 66% reach minimum standards.

Referring to his own experience in dealing with county managers, Mr Campbell advises the Minister not to hold his breath in expecting a reply. He responds to Ministers admonition that there is ‘no room for complacency’ with ‘ I can see complacency at every level… right up to the Taoiseach…no matter how many times I write that I can prove something, one ever asks to see the evidence’.

The Press Release concludes with reference to ‘the Prohibition of the occupation, opening or operation of any new non-domestic building or apartment block without a FSC [Fire Safety Certificate] or DAC.[Disability Access Certificate]. Norman says ‘this is quite a serious matter as every day, buildings are opened with no or fraudulent FSC’s. He ends by citing the example of crossfire between three government departments over the opening by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD OF Griffith College, College Centre and Halls of Reference.

This is a building where the architect and builder have done everything possible to ensure the building is safe. However a visit was made by the Department of Education official who asked for some work to be done in line with the regulations and left out other works which also had to be done [they decided]. The Department of Heritage, Environment and Local Government then passed this decision.

The Department of the Taoiseach however telephoned the other two departments insisting the building had to be right or the Taoiseach would not be able to open it. This building is now fully occupied with children from all over the world and still unfinished fire protection works.”

Norman Campbell concludes;"if your Government cannot do their job properly in this building, then how on earth can you state your FSC works anywhere in Ireland".

Wicklow
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