Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
421. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to amend building regulations to incentivise the construction of modular homes; the enhanced use of wood in construction including glulam and cross-laminated timber in medium to high-rise apartments and offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25499/24]
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 buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment, and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. The Building Regulations are expressed in broad performance terms and do not set limitations on the use of materials.
A suite of Technical Guidance Documents provides guidance on how to achieve that performance in practice for common non-complex building types. Where works are carried out in accordance with the technical guidance, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with the relevant part of the Building Regulations.
For non-standardised, new or innovative products or systems, including modular, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by third party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agrément. Agrément certification is a means of demonstrating compliance with each of the 12 parts of the Building Regulations, and is generally accepted by Building Control Authorities.
In March of this year, my Department published an Information Note on Alternative Approaches to Demonstrate Compliance with the Building Regulations. This Information Note provides guidance on alternative approaches (to the Technical Guidance Documents) to demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations. It contains a specific appendix in regard to alternative approaches to demonstrating compliance with Part B (Fire Safety).
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All. MMC is the term used to describe a range of manufacturing and innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction, including modular construction. MMC has the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector.
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established by my colleague Minister Hackett in November 2023. Five thematic groups have been formed to support actions as identified under the Climate Action Plan and Ireland’s Forest Strategy. I understand that the group has met regularly since its inception and has been provided with progress updates across all Thematic Groups.
Thematic Group 2 - Regulation, Standards and Compliance, to which my Department provides the secretariat, is reviewing technical guidance/standards, research, reports and codes that have been developed in Ireland and other countries in relation to the design and use of mass-engineered timber and other relevant engineered timber products and are considering their relevance in the Irish context.
In this regard, a tender has recently been issued for a study to support the development of recommendations for a national technical specification for the use of mass engineered timber based on a review of existing international guidance and research needs.
