Fire fighting in taller buildings

PRESS RELEASE

DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADES FIRE-FIGHTING CAPABILITIES IN TALLER BUILDINGS IN TALLAGHT/LUCAN/CLONDALKIN/WALKINSTOWN AREA

Press Statement issued in association with Dublin City Councils Chief Fire Officer in response to recent media coverage and concerns raised regarding fire safety requirements in residential apartment buildings.

Modern apartment buildings are provided with access which is built into the buildings in the form of protected shafts for egress by the occupants and access by the emergency services, thus rendering the use of external ladders unnecessary.

The Building Regulations require that all apartment buildings have protected stairs which would be available and separated by fire resistant construction from the living parts of the building. For lower buildings, up to and including four storeys, the ladders located at the local fire stations are capable of reaching all floors.

All residential buildings built under the current regulations are designed to have a higher requirement for compartmentation than non-residential buildings. They are designed so that a fire in any compartment should be contained in that compartment for a minimum time period.

Apartment buildings are now built using modern construction materials with high standards of design to the latest Building Regulations. When obtaining a fire safety certificate the applicant is required to demonstrate that the construction of the building meets the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations. These requirements cover such issues as protected means of escape (including fire alarm systems, emergency lighting etc.), fire rating of wall and ceiling linings, fire protection of the structure, fire spread to adjoining buildings and access and facilities for the fire services.

For further information:

Please contact Michael Coleman, Senior Executive Officer, Environmental Services Department at mcoleman@sdublincoco.ie