Inspections and Enforcement
While the "duty of care" in respect to Fire Safety in Buildings rests with the Owner/Occupier under the Fire Service Acts 1981 and 2003, the Fire Authorities have various powers of inspection and enforcement for fire prevention / safety measures in existing buildings.
Mayo Fire Service has an ongoing campaign of building inspections to check buildings for compliance with the relevant fire safety requirements. These inspections are carried out under either the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, or the Building Control Act 1990 (as amended).
Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 is quoted as follows: -
“It shall be the duty of every person having control over premises to which this section applies to –
- Take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on such premises;
- Provide reasonable fire safety measures for such premises and prepare and provide appropriate fire safety procedures for ensuring the safety of persons on such premises;
- Ensure that the fire safety measures and procedures referred to in paragraph (b) are applied at all times; and
- Ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire whether such outbreak has occurred or not.”
A person convicted for an offence under the above may be liable to a maximum fine of €12,697.38 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.