Control of Major Accident Hazards
Dublin Fire Brigade ensures that Seveso sites, which hold dangerous substances, are safe for the people of Dublin by ensuring regulatory standards are met and emergency plans are in place.
Seveso sites are defined as industrial sites that, because of the presence of dangerous substances in sufficient quantities, are regulated under the EU's Seveso III Directive. These sites are considered major accident hazards.
If you are wondering whether your business falls under this regulation, you'll find an up-to-date list of substances which trigger requirements under the Seveso Directive on the European Chemicals Agency's website.
Dublin Fire Brigade supports Dublin's four local authorities in fulfilling their obligations under the Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 and the Seveso III Directive.
How Dublin Fire Brigade Makes Seveso Sites Safe
Dublin Fire Brigade's Major Emergency Planning team ensures that Seveso sites are safe for the people of Dublin by ensuring that regulatory standards are adhered to on these sites. This reduces the risk of an incident happening.
Alongside other agencies, Dublin Fire Brigade also ensures that adequate and up-to-date emergency plans are in place for Seveso sites in the Dublin area. This means the emergency services are well prepared if an incident does occur.
As well as leading emergency plan development, Dublin Fire Brigade also runs the public consultation process and testing exercises at all upper tier Seveso sites in Dublin.
Seveso Sites in Dublin
Seveso sites are categorised as lower tier or upper tier, depending on the type and quantity of hazardous substances stored. There are 13 upper tier and 12 lower tier sites in Dublin city and county.
Upper tier sites require the development of external emergency plans by multiple agencies, led by Dublin Fire Brigade. On completion of external emergency plans and public consultation, Dublin Fire Brigade develops and presents Seveso annual reports to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) - the central authority for Seveso planning in Ireland.
Inter-agency exercises are carried out every three years and reports on them are sent to the HSA. This means that at least four upper tier emergency plans are tested and exercised each year in Dublin.
For further information and an up-to-date list of all Dublin's Seveso sites, visit the HSA's website.
Fire Prevention and Emergency Planning
For more information regarding our work or public consultation on Seveso site emergency plans, please contact Dublin Fire Brigade's Major Emergency Management Office.