Firebar

Photograph Album, Actual Fire / Fire Spread, examples only

Timber Frame Construction

Newcastle, Co. Dublin	Athy, Co. Kildare	Airside, Swords, Co. Dublin



Timber Frame Under Construction
Colindale, London	Hawkhill Close, Scotland	Lifford, Donegal



Talbot Road, Blackpool	Kilfinan Street, Glasgow	Burnage, Manchester



Glen Ellen Grove, Swords	West Wycombe Road, UK



Masonry Construction
Ramblers Court, Ireland	Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford	Bolbrook Grove, Co Dublin



St Clements House, Uk

PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM, OF ACTUAL FIRES / FIRE SPREAD

Whilst the following pictures are examples only, the resulting levels of fire spread as witnessed shows clearly, that these relatively new apartment buildings were and are not in compliance with our National Mandatory Building and Fire Regulations !

Should someone out there wish to argue to the contrary, i.e. that these buildings are in compliance, I would say, prove it.

PURCHASERS HAVE BEEN CONNED

As referenced, pictures speak louder than words. Purchasers have been conned. Accordingly the building industry and indeed the State as a whole, has a major national problem coming their way, who knows at what cost.

These apartment buildings as referenced and pictured are primarily required to have Fire Safety Certificates, whereby compliance with our National Mandatory Building and Fire Regulations is a prerequisite prior to the commencement of works.

Accordingly one has to ask, who is approving these buildings ? Who are the Architects / Engineers and or Designers responsible for the signing off these buildings as being in compliance, where it is blatantly obvious that no such compliance exists ?

PEOPLE AND PROPERTY AT RISK / BLATANT NON-COMPLIANCE

More importantly, who issued the Fire Safety Certificates on these buildings on behalf of the designated Building Control and or Fire Authorities, thereby putting people and property at risk, and knowingly so, as they are supposed to know what it is they are doing ?

Were these buildings on completion or otherwise inspected for compliance by the designated authorities prior to occupation resulting from the sale or lease of same, if so, who inspected them?

Were the owners / landlords put on notice by the relevant certifiers, statutory authorities or otherwise, that these buildings were blatantly and obviously not in compliance, and therefore unsafe ?

10 YEAR STRUCTURAL GUARANTEES AND OR INSURANCE, CONDITIONAL

Whilst there are numerous companies offering 10 year structural guarantees on new homes, i.e. semi detached, terrace type housing, and or apartments, there are conditions attached to same. For example: The National House Building Guarantee Company t/a HomeBond (Private Company), state clearly, on their website, and I quote “If HomeBond is satisfied that the dwelling complies with the required standards we will issue the Final Notice HB11” this of course enables the structural guarantee as offered by them to be activated.

BUILDING AND FIRE REGULATIONS MINIMUM STANDARDS

Note the required standards as referred to by HomeBond (Precondition), of course must primarily meet the minimum standards of our National Mandatory Building and Fire Regulations. Such minimum standards apply to all such companies offering such guarantees and or insurance cover.

OUR NON-COMPLIANT BUILDING INDUSTRY IS LIKE A SHIP WITHOUT A RUDDER

To-date the as referenced pictures of fires refer to residential buildings only, i.e. semi detached, terrace type housing, and or apartments. However, such blatant non-compliance with Regulations resulting in such unnecessary destruction of property is also inherent in our Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Schools, Hotels, and indeed in the Building Industry in general.

THE PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM BELOW IS BEING CONTINUALLY UPDATED FEATURING SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS FIRES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THESE ISLANDS IN RECENT TIMES. “HAVE YOU GOT PHOTOGRAPHS THAT YOU THINK WE COULD USE”. IF YOU HAVE PLEASE SEND THEM TO OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, manningn@indigo.ie

HISTORIC COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DROGHEDA, IRELAND. 26 January 2009

PICTURE 15