IRELAND

CHANGING TIMES FOR PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION IN IRELAND

ASFP Operations Officer Ireland David O’Reilly FIFireE provides an update of the latest activities of ASFP Ireland. Core to implementing new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BCAR) in 2014 was the desire to change culture and practice in Irish construction. Irish Building Regulations recognised this need when referring to ASFP’s best practice guidance, Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in Buildings, in the 2006 revision of Technical Guidance B (Fire Safety). The ASFP guide calls for a more collaborative approach to fire protection than the existing confrontational one identified in 2003.

In addition to the introduction of BCAR, the 2012 public consultation document, Strengthening the Building Control System, heralded mandatory contractor registration. In May 2017, the Government approved the draft text of a Bill to place the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) on a statutory footing and the Bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHLGH) for pre-legislative scrutiny. The main objective is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice, and compliance with the building regulations within the builder community of the construction sector, which will benefit consumers and the public. The Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2021 can be viewed on the Oireachtas website. Once enacted, the Bill will provide consumers who engage a registered builder with the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. It will complement the reforms which have been made through the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and contribute to the development of a culture of competence and compliance within the construction sector.

The 2018 ASFP Ireland members’ agreement is designed to equip members in demonstrating knowledge-based competence in anticipation of the enactment of registration. The ASFP Foundation Course in Passive Fire Protection prepares candidates studying for Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) certificates in Passive Fire Protection. ASFP classroom training and e-learning programmes are ongoing with IFE examinations taking place in March and October, with members agreeing to educate employees as follows: • Project managers will achieve the IFE Level 3 Certificates in Passive Fire Protection, demonstrating the academic knowledge as Technician Grade members (TIFireE). • Supervisors will achieve IFE Level 2 Certificates in relevant passive fire protection disciplines. • Installers complete the ASFP Online Introduction to Passive Fire Protection and appropriate manufacturer’s training.

The Fire Safety Task Force looks beyond construction identifying the need to extend BCAR progress into improved fire safety standards in the built environment. Additional guidance is now available: • Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Buildings and Premises (published 2022). • Fire Safety Guide for Owners and Operators March 2022 - Guide for persons having control under Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 (Draft published for public consultation)

This will be achieved by the establishment of a mandatory statutory register on which a builder must be included to carry out works under the Building Control Acts. The CIRI register will be divided into different categories depending on the nature and complexity of the works involved. It is intended that specialist contractors, such as those who carry out specific fire safety works, for example firestopping, will have a specific category. ASFP Ireland offers a structured and professional approach to passive fire protection, working with Government and industry alike to improve the knowledge of all involved in the manufacture, approval, specification, installation, and management of passive fire protection.

The implementation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations in 2014 (BCAR) brought about a change of culture within the Irish Construction Industry. The 2018 Fire Safety Task Force report highlights the importance of demonstrating appropriate competence for all engaged in the management of fire safety in our buildings.