Toilet fire safety — the latest delay to National Children's Hospital

Multiple sources close to the project have said there are issues surrounding the fire safety certification of prefab ‘toilet pods’ inside the children’s hospital. Picture: NewChildrensHospital.ie

Concerns about the fire safety of toilets within the new National Children's Hospital have emerged, with further delays to the project now likely, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Multiple sources close to the project have said there are issues surrounding the fire safety certification of prefab ‘toilet pods’ inside the children’s hospital.

Further delays to the hospital are now likely, with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board seeking a revised handover date from developer Bam.

In a statement, the board confirmed there were compliance concerns with the bathroom pods.

“A potential Bam compliance issue with the certification of the Bam procured prefabricated bathroom pods in the NCHI [National Children's Hospital] has arisen,” a spokesperson for the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) said.

“Bam is now undertaking testing to demonstrate the compliance of the bathroom pods. If Bam is unable to demonstrate compliance with the standards set out in the works requirements, it will be required to submit and action appropriate remedial works.” 

They added that Bam is responsible for “ensuring that quality standards and compliance are met across all aspects” of the hospital.

If these standards are not met, Bam must undertake testing to demonstrate compliance, the spokesperson added.

One Government source said the issue with the toilet pods could delay the project further.

Bam: Project in final stages

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for developer Bam said the project was in the final stages of certification and commissioning.

“During this phase of a project of this scale and complexity, it is routine for contractors to work closely with the design team to address technical queries when they arise, including by providing additional documentation, evidence or testing to support the certification process where required,” the spokesperson said.

“The specification, selection, and approval of products and systems, including the bathroom pods, involves multiple parties throughout the project, including the NPHDB and their design team, and forms part of the overall design, review, and certification process.” 

Litany of snags and delays

The Bam spokesperson said they were working closely with the NPHDB and Children’s Health Ireland to deliver the hospital as quickly as possible.

Concerns about the toilet pods join a litany of other snags at the long-delayed and overbudget hospital, with the NPHDB saying they no longer expect the building to be handed over on August 31.

The NPHDB spokesperson said it continues to track key performance indicators against the previous work programme, delivered in May, which said substantial completion would be reached by the August deadline.

“Bam’s progress continues to lag behind its own programme timeline in several areas, including rooms completed to the contract standard and accepted; aspects of commissioning; and the documentation required for certification of substantial completion and compliance with building regulations,” the spokesperson said.

The board requested an updated work programme from Bam no later than 6 July, but it was received on 13 July.

The spokesperson said this updated work programme was under review by the employer’s representative, the independent party instructed to oversee the contract.

• Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter