To  ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations  currently  in  place regarding the safety of hot water storage and  piping  systems;  his  views on whether these could be strengthened in view  of  recent  moves in the UK to improve safety standards following the death  of  a baby girl from scalding as a result of faults in the hot water system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
                                                         
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Gormley):

Part  G  of  the  Building Regulations sets requirements for Hygiene. Among these  is  the requirement for a suitable installation for the provision of hot  and  cold  water  to  baths  or  shower baths, washbasins and sinks in dwellings  and  to  washbasins  associated  with  sanitary  conveniences in buildings. Technical Guidance Document G refers to standards that cover the design,  installation,  testing and maintenance of services supplying water for use within buildings, as well as specifications for individual products
associated  with hot water storage and piping.  Where works are carried out in  accordance  with  this  guidance,  this  will,  prima  facie,  indicate compliance with the Regulations.

Part D of the Building Regulations deals with Materials and Workmanship. It stipulates  that  all works are to be carried out with proper materials and in  a  workmanlike  manner.  It defines proper materials as those materials which  are  fit  for  the  use  for  which  they  are  intended and for the conditions  in  which  they  are  to be used. This can be demonstrated by a product  bearing CE Marking in accordance with the EU Construction Products Directive;  complying  with  an appropriate harmonised standard; a European
Technical approval or a national technical specification; or complying with an  appropriate  Irish Standard, an Irish Agrement Board Certificate, or an alternative   national  technical  specification  of  another  State  which provides an equivalent level of safety and suitability.

I  understand  that  the  National Standards Authority of Ireland, which is  under  the  remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, set up  an Expert Group to examine the area of heating and plumbing in December 2006.  On  foot of this, work has advanced on a Standard Recommendation for
Heating  and  Plumbing,  SR50.  This  will  cover  all  types  of hot water  services. It is also intended that a registration/certification system will be set up for installers of heating and plumbing systems.