FIRE REMEDIATION GRANT – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN 2024
As Ireland’s foremost passive fire protection company, Ashgrove Fire Proofing recognizes the paramount importance of robust fire safety measures in multi-unit residential buildings. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the new fire remediation grant and its implications for apartment and duplex owners.
WHAT IS THE FIRE REMEDIATION GRANT?
Introduced by the Irish government in 2023, the fire remediation grant is a scheme designed to finance the rectification of serious fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013. Many buildings from this period suffer from issues such as flammable cladding, inadequate fire stopping, and deficient fire compartments.
Administered by the Housing Agency, the grant provides direct funding to owners’ management companies (OMCs) to undertake necessary remediation work. This includes repairs to both common areas and individual units, with the funding amount contingent upon the extent of identified fire safety defects in each building.
WHY IS THE GRANT NEEDED?
The fire remediation grant aims to address systematic shortcomings in fire safety standards prevalent in multi-unit dwellings constructed over two decades ago. Common design and construction flaws during this period have compromised critical safety measures like fire containment, smoke extraction, and evacuation routes.
For instance, inappropriate exterior cladding materials have been implicated in the rapid spread of flames in high-rise fires globally. While Ireland has thus far avoided disasters akin to Grenfell Tower in London, a 2020 review identified hundreds of buildings in need of remediation solely due to dangerous cladding.
WHAT BUILDINGS WILL QUALIFY?
The fire remediation grant extends to all apartment and duplex buildings erected from 1991 to 2013, encompassing a period marked by flawed Building Regulation guidance leading to structural vulnerabilities.
To qualify, OMCs must demonstrate that fire safety defects arose from one of the following:
- Faulty or non-compliant design
- Incorrect materials selection
- Poor workmanship during construction
Pre-existing maintenance issues or problems arising from subsequent renovation work will not be covered under the grant scheme.
WHAT WORK WILL THE GRANT FUND?
The grant scheme focuses exclusively on fire safety matters, encompassing:
- Replacement of hazardous exterior cladding
- Upgrades to compartment walls and fire stops
- Improvements to escape routes and signage
- Installation of modern fire detection and alarm systems
- Enhanced smoke extraction equipment
Non-fire-related items such as structural repairs and water ingress fixes will be financed through a separate channel.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Individual apartment owners cannot directly apply for the fire remediation grant; applications must be coordinated through their respective OMCs.
The process involves:
- Contacting the OMC to request an inspection and assessment for potential fire safety defects.
- If issues are identified, the OMC should apply immediately to the interim scheme for emergency repairs. For all other matters, they should apply once the full scheme commences in 2024.
- The Housing Agency will evaluate applications and determine funding levels for required works.
- OMCs can then engage contractors such as Ashgrove fire proofing to execute the approved upgrades across the building.
Should assistance be required in liaising with the OMC or seeking professional advice on fire hazard mitigation, Ashgrove Fire proofing Ltd is readily available to provide support at any stage.
CAN I GET REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS WORK DONE?
A legacy defect scheme is also in the works to reimburse costs incurred by OMCs and owners for fire safety repairs completed before December 2023. While details are pending finalisation, it is anticipated that all qualifying remediation work undertaken since January 2023 will be covered.
This development is particularly welcome for those who have proactively undertaken measures to enhance building fire protection. Even minor upgrades like the installation of new fire doors or emergency lighting can represent a significant expense.
CONCLUSION
The introduction of the fire remediation grant presents an unparalleled opportunity to rectify longstanding fire safety issues and modernise ageing multi-unit dwellings into safe, contemporary structures. Ashgrove fire proofing commends the government’s proactive stance on this critical public safety matter and stands prepared to support OMCs and homeowners throughout the process.
With the imminent grant scheme, the cost should no longer serve as a deterrent to essential upgrades in fire protection. Reach out to Fire Proofing today for a no-obligation consultation on securing your property against the risk of fire.
Ashgrove Fire Proofing Limited has been Ireland’s trusted partner for passive fire protection services. Headquartered in Dublin, we specialise in fire-stopping, fireproofing, and fire safety solutions tailored to commercial, industrial, and residential properties across the country. Our team comprises certified fire engineers and technologists dedicated to delivering comprehensive fire risk assessments, targeted upgrades, and ongoing maintenance to ensure optimal protection over time.