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Building Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (599)

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

599 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will bring forward legislation requiring mandatory geological testing as part of the planning process for quarries; if he will bring forward legislation to require on-going geological testing of active quarries as a quality control measure; his views on whether the current regulatory regime which gave rise to pyrite problems is insufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26856/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Pyrite Panel which I set up in September, 2011 is due to report to me shortly. On receipt of the Panel's report I will give careful consideration to any recommendations it may contain in relation to the adequacy of existing testing regimes for quarries and the need for revised standards or testing requirements in relation to the end use of aggregates. A strong statutory framework for the regulation of construction activity already exists under the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007 and relevant European standards.

The Building Regulations set out the legal requirements for the design and construction of buildings, including houses and extensions. Related Technical Guidance Documents (TGD) provide technical guidance on how compliance with the regulations can be achieved in practice. Work carried out in accordance with the guidance provided in the TGDs is consideredprima facie evidence of compliance with the Building Regulations. The key requirements relevant to the use of hardcore material for buildings are set out in Part C (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture) and Part D (Materials and Workmanship) of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. The Building Regulations and related TGDs are subject to on-going review.

The Construction Products Directive provides for a system of harmonised technical specifications for construction products. There is a suite of European Standards and Guidance Documents for the use of aggregates including their use in concrete, bituminous mixtures, mortar etc. The standards and guidance documents set out testing requirements for the aggregates depending on their end use. Quarries are required to have in place a testing regime to ensure compliance with the requisite standard.

IS EN 13242:2002 is a harmonised European Product Standard for Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials for use in civil engineering work and road construction. IS EN 13242:2002 was published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NASI) in 2002 and came into effect in January, 2003. Standard Recommendation (SR) 21, published by NSAI in 2004, provides guidance on the use of IS EN 13242:2002. It was revised in 2007 to give additional specific guidance on reducing the risk of reactive forms of pyrite being present in material fill for use under concrete floors in dwellings and buildings.

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