Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Building Insulation Standards.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

141 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment the way in which the level of insulation provided for in Irish building regulations compares with the levels specified for new buildings in each of the other EC member states in terms of the U-Value which the construction methods are designed to achieve; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

The proposed building regulations which have been published by my Department provide that the whole building U-Value of a dwelling shall not exceed 0.85 w/m2 ºC, watts per metre squared per degree celsius. The proposed building regulations also specify the following U-Values for the major containing elements: External Walls 0.6 w/m2 ºC; Roof 0.4 w/m2 ºC; Floor 0.6 w/m2 ºC.

Local authorities and the building industry have been asked to observe the requirements of the proposed building regulations pending implementation of regulations on a statutory basis.

There is currently no standard method of comparing the insultation requirements of different EC countries as the method of specifying insulation requirements varies from country to country. However a comparison of insulation requirements and the different means of specifying those requirements has been carried out on behalf of the EC Commission. Details were set out in a report entitledThermal Insulation and Ventilation in Buildings. A Comparison of Requirements in EEC Member States Situation 1986.

The Building Control Act, 1990, which was enacted in March 1990 provides a new statutory basis for the making of building regulations. Work is proceeding on the preparation of regulations and insulation requirements are being examined in this context.