Code of Practice for Fire Safety in New and Existing Community Dwelling Houses www.eoba.ie Eamon O’ Boyle

CODE STRUCTURE Legal provisions Fire Safety Management Fire Safety Measures Appendices

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP The committee was selected from the following disciplines: HSE Estates Department HIQA Representative External Fire Safety Consultants Architects Department of the Environment Chief Fire Officers Association Service Users Private Providers

Guidance on Fire Safety in Community Dwellings Currently 3 categories PURPOSE OF CODE Guidance on Fire Safety in Community Dwellings Currently 3 categories Residential (Dwellings);Purpose Group 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) Residential (Institutional) ; Purpose Group 2(a) Other Residential; Purpose Group 2 (b) Purpose groups not suitable for providers of Community Buildings Create domestic atmosphere Need for new purpose group

SCOPE OF PROPOSED NEW CODE OF PRACTICE Dwellings covered by code: These dwellings would normally be served by a single staircase Maximum number of bedrooms: 8 (6 residents – 2 carers). Dwelling Type (Existing and new buildings) 1 2 3 Single storey community dwelling Two storey community dwelling (ground and first floor level) Three storey community dwelling (ground, first and second floor level) Buildings with basements are not included under this Code of Practice.

BUILDING USERS DEFINED Typical users: Children with disabilities People with mental health issues People with intellectual disability People with physical disability Residents professionally assessed

INTERPRETATION OF CODE OF PRACTICE Guide for new and existing premises /low/medium support Code flexible and adaptable to variety of situations Professional judgement + common sense assumed

LEGAL PROVISIONS A. Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003; B. Technical Guidance Document B (Fire Safety) to the Building Regulations, 1997-2016 – Volume 2; C. Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; D. Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013.

APPLICATION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE Premises must be suitable with appropriate features Guidance has two main areas: Fire Safety Management Fire Safety Measures

MANAGEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY Fire Services Act Duty of Care (Section 18 FSA) by owners and occupants; The guide provides for a standardisation of fire safety programme and day-to-day management.

MANAGEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY FIRE SAFETY PROGRAMME Monitored on a day to day basis Good Housekeeping Striving for continued improvement

MANAGEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY Fire Prevention Staff Training Emergency Procedures and Evacuation Drills Equipment Testing and Maintenance Maintenance of Escape Routes Fire Brigade Liaison Records (See Appendices)

BUILDING REGULATIONS Principle of fire safety measures: Smoke travel Building Services Furniture + Fittings Emergency Services

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Guidance on the principal fire safety measures are outlined as: Horizontal Escape Routes Vertical Escape Routes General Provisions for Means of Escape Internal Fire Spread (Linings) Internal Fire Spread (Structure) External Fire Spread Access and Facilities for the Fire Service.

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Travel distance < 10m in a bedroom Protection of escape routes Corridors / walls / door / ceilings Fire doors Self closing except bathrooms and service ducts (locked)

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Windows and Rooflights Windows required for new adaptions i.e. TGD- B compliant Replacement windows should be suitable for escape Door and escape routes Simple fastenings (no key) Minimum 750mm Secure doors override in direction of escape Electrical powered doors return to unlock position

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Portable Fire Extinguishers First Aid Fire Fighting Located appropriately Need for training Fire Blankets 1x heavy duty fire blankets 2x heavy duty heat protective blankets Hose Reels – Not necessary

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Internal fire spread (linings) Linings do not start fire but can contribute; Limit by proper selection of linings. Thermoplastic materials Significant hazard; Limited provision. General Provisions Room Type Class of Lining National European Circulation spaces Toilets /Bathrooms All other rooms Class 1 Class 3  Class 1 Class C – s3, d2 Class D – s3, d2  Class C – s3, d2

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Structural fire precautions Requirements: Structural elements capable of withstanding fire impact Subdivision of building Openings protected Voids subdivided

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES External fire spread External wall need to have resistance to fire spread Spread of fire from one building to another needs to be restricted Permitted unprotected areas in small residential buildings Min. distance between side of building and relevant/notional boundary Maximum total area of unprotected areas (m2) 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 5.6 12 18 24 30 No limit

ACCESS AND FACILITIES FOR THE FIRE BRIGADE Requirements Enable fire appliance access near the building Provide access into the building Water supply Fire Mains Building < 1000m² no internal mains Vehicle access within 45m

DIRECT COMPARISON OF MINIMUM STANDARDS BY BUILDING TYPE ELEMENT INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING DOMESTIC DWELLING HOUSE COMMUNITY DWELLING Fire Resistance of Floors 60/60/60 mins non-combustible compartment construction 30/30/30 mins [3 storey dwelling] 30/15/15 mins [2 storey dwelling] 30/30/30 mins. [all new builds and existing 3 storey dwellings] Enclosure of Escape Stairs 60/60/60 min. protected shaft 30/30/30 mins [uncontrolled fire load in stair enclosure] 30/30/30mins [No unprotected storage cupboards allowed in stair] Separating Walls 60/60/60 mins. Fire Detection and Alarm System Category L1 System Grade D Category LD1 System [toilets/en-suites subject to risk assessment] Emergency Lighting Maintained/Sustained System in accordance with IS 3217:2013 No requirement Non-Maintained/Switch-Maintained in accordance with IS 3217:2013 Management Strictly regulated Up to individual Buildings with the height of top storey not more than 20m [3 storey maximum - Table A2 – of Technical Guidance Document B]

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? Able to accommodate people in a domestic setting to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes Provides a framework to use domestic dwellings that achieve the requirements of the second schedule of the building regulations for accommodating people with disabilities Provides a framework for demonstrating compliance with the Fire Services Act