Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
789. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to building regulations, the amount of mould that is acceptable under Irish building regulations; the precise date of the fRsi regulations; and when a compliant set of approved construction details will be issued. [14325/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations requires the limiting of the moisture content of the air within buildings so that it does not contribute to condensation thereby preventing or eliminating mould growth. Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) in its treatment of air tightness, insulation and thermal bridging works hand in hand with Part F in this regard. Both parts are accompanied by detailed technical guidance documents (TGDs) which outline how the statutory performance requirements may be achieved in practice. Current editions of these and all other Technical Guidance Documents are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink: http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/#Current Technical Guidance Documents and Supporting Documentation.
The temperature factor (fRsi) referred to is the key factor used in assessing the risk of mould growth or surface condensation in the vicinity of thermal bridges. The relevant guidance in this regard is outlined at section D.2 of appendix D of the current edition of TGD L which came into effect on 1 December 2011. This aspect of the guidance has remained unchanged since TGD L 2002 came into effect on 1 January 2003. Additional guidance, in the form of Acceptable Construction Details for use in connection with TGD L 2011, was published by my Department on 30 January 2015. The approved construction details are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink:
http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/#Part L Supplementary Documents .
