Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2024
72. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the technical guidance on building regulations will be updated to allow for timber frame high rise construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9559/24]
View answerThe Building Regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. In general, the Building Regulations apply to the construction of new buildings and to extensions and material alterations to buildings. In addition, certain parts of the Regulations apply to existing buildings where a material change of use takes place. All new dwellings must comply with Building Regulations and all key elements must have a durability of 60 years.
The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in 12 parts classified as Parts A to M, in the second schedule to the Building Regulations. They are expressed in terms of ‘functional requirements’ and are performance based.
My Department publishes Technical Guidance Documents to accompany each Part of the Building Regulations indicating how the requirements of that Part can be achieved in practice for common non-complex buildings. Adherence to the approach outlined in the Technical Guidance Documents is regarded, prima facie, as evidence of compliance with the requirements of the relevant Building Regulations. The adoption of an approach other than that outlined in the guidance is not precluded provided that the relevant requirements of the Regulations are complied with.
The Building Regulations are under ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment. My Department is currently concluding a review of Part B of the Building Regulations dealing with fire safety.
While Technical Guidance Document B generally limits the use of combustible construction timber in compartment floors for buildings with a topmost floor height of less than 10m, the Building Regulations themselves do not prohibit the use of timber above this height, provided compliance can be demonstrated and achieved.
For new innovative products or systems, not covered by existing standards, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by 3rd party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland Agrément certification. My Department does not have an approval function and does not approve or endorse products for compliance with the Building Regulations or standards.
My Department is represented on the Timber in Construction Working Group recently established by Minister of State Hackett. The scope of this Group includes a review of industry capacity, technical research and guidance, and the regulatory environment to support the development of timber construction in Ireland. The Working Group is a forum for Government and industry to work collaboratively to increase the use of timber in construction whilst ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection.
