Regulations and Guidance Documents
The Fire Services Act, 1981
The Fire Services Act, 1981 is the principal legislation that governs how the fire services operate.
Licensing of Indoor Events Act, 2003
The Licensing of Indoor Events Act, 2003 – S.I. No. 15 provides for the licensing of indoor events and includes an amendment to the Fire Services Act 1981.
Fire Safety in Places of Assembly Regulations, 1985
The Fire Safety in Places of Assembly (Ease of Escape) Regulations, 1985 – SI No. 249 provide for specified places of assembly, that certain fire safety precautions related to escape routes and exit doors should be taken by every person having control over a place of assembly and that a person in a place of assembly shall not prevent or obstruct the person in control from complying with the Regulations.
Planning and Development Act, 2000
Planning and Development Act, 2000 – SI No. 30 revise and consolidate the law relating to planning and development by repealing and reenacting with amendments the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1999. The Act provide for proper planning and sustainable development, including the provision of housing. It also provides for the licensing of events and control of funfairs, among other items.
Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations, 2001 – SI No. 154 set out the type of events needing a licence and procedure and administration for applications and the grant of licences for events and related information for events to be held by the local authority.
Building Control Act, 1990 and 2007
Building Control Act, 1990 establishes building control authorities and the making of building regulations and building control regulations. It also provides for matters relating to the construction of buildings and other connected matters.
Building Control Act, 2007 amends and extends the Building Control Act, 1990.
Technical Guidance Documents
Technical Guidance Documents are published to accompany each part of the Building Regulations indicating how the requirements of that part can be achieved in practice.
Adherence to the approach outlined in a Technical Guidance Document is regarded, as evidence of compliance with the requirements of the relevant part of the Building Regulations.
Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings.
Technical Guidance Document Part B - Fire Safety offers guidelines on the design and report that is part of the fire safety certificate application. Along with Part B, the following Technical Guidance Documents are most applicable to fire safety and fire safety certificate applications: Part J - Heat Producing Appliances, Part K - Stairways Ladders Ramps and Guards and Part M - Access and Use. Read these, as well as all other Technical Guidance Documents on Gov.ie.
An approach different to the Technical Guidance Documents or the use of fire safety engineering is not prohibited, provided that approach meets the requirements of the Building Regulations. In this case, the Building Control Authority may require evidence that the building does comply with the Regulations.
Codes of Practice
Codes of Practice are sets of written rules which define how persons or bodies must act in given situations. Codes of Practice related to fire safety are on the Housing, Local Government and Heritage website, with links below:
Disclaimer
The above information is intended to facilitate your understanding of the main provisions of the regulations and should not be taken as a legal interpretation.
