The Department of Home Affairs is inviting feedback on proposals aimed at improving key aspects of fire safety in the Isle of Man.

A public consultation was yesterday, Monday 25th April 2016, launched on the Fire Precautions (Houses in Multiple Occupation and Flats) Regulations 2016.

The intention is to update existing regulations, which were introduced in 1996, to put in place modern and appropriate fire prevention measures for flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMO). There are currently no fire safety standards specified for HMO, which present similar fire safety risks as flats.

The draft regulations will complement building control legislation and cover a range of important issues, such as the provision of escape routes and fire safety equipment.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The core purpose of the Department is to keep people safe. As part of this commitment, the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service has identified the need to update the regulations relating to fire safety in flats and to introduce similar standards for houses in multiple occupation.’

He added: ‘The social and financial impact of a fire in a flat can be devastating. Fortunately incidents of this nature are rare in the Isle of Man and the proposed new regulations will further reduce the risks and, most importantly, save lives.’

A copy of the Fire Precautions (Houses in Multiple Occupation and Flats) Regulations 2016 and associated appendices is available on the Government website at www.gov.im/dha/consultations.gov. 

Submissions can be made by emailing dhaconsultation@gov.im or in writing to Karl Cubbon, Legislation and Policy Officer, Department of Home Affairs, Tromode Road, Douglas, IM2 5PA.

In addition to providing general comments about the proposed regulations, members of the public are invited to respond to a series of questions posed in the consultation document.

The deadline for submissions to the public consultation is Monday 6 June 2016.