Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2015
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Building Regulations
444. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the substantial changes that have been made to building regulations and standards that apply to homes built now, as compared to homes built in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16830/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2006, my Department has completed reviews to a total of 10 Parts of the Building Regulations which resulted in the introduction of new regulatory requirements/technical guidance. Notwithstanding amendments to take into account revisions to relevant Irish, British and European standards, the principal changes to the Building Regulations since 2006 are set out below:
- Part A – Structure was amended in 2012 to ensure consistency with the Eurocodes which are a set of harmonised structural design codes for building and civil engineering works which are now generally in force across EU Member States;
- Part D – Materials and Workmanship was revised in 2013 to revise the definition of “proper materials” to have regard to the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC;
- Part E – Sound was amended in 2014 to establish new performance standards to improve the overall sound insulation performance of dwellings and introduce a completion testing regime on a proportion of all new dwellings in a development to ensure these new minimum standards are achieved in practice;
- Part F – Ventilation was revised in 2009 to provide for higher standards of ventilation and support the measures introduced under Part L of the Building Regulations in respect of improved thermal performance;
- Part G – Hygiene was amended in 2008 to make dual flush toilets mandatory in new buildings;
- Part H – Drainage and Wastewater Disposal was revised in 2010 in order to call up relevant parts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Code of Practice: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems serving Single Houses (2009);
- Part J – Heat Producing Appliances was amended in 2014 and set out new legal requirements for the use and installation of heat producing appliances in buildings, including a requirement for carbon monoxide detectors in all new dwellings, and in existing dwellings, where new or replacement open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed;
- Part K – Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards was revised in 2014 to provide additional guidance on the prevention of falls from windows in dwellings;
- Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Energy was amended in 2007 and 2011 in respect of dwellings to provide for a 60% aggregate improvement (relative to 2005 standards) in both the energy and carbon performance of new dwellings and marked an important step on the road to nearly zero energy buildings which is required by 31 December 2020. Part L was also revised in 2008 in respect of buildings other than dwellings which introduced the methodology (known as NEAP or the Non-domestic Energy Assessment Procedure) to measure the energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions for new non-domestic buildings;
- Part M – Access and Use was revised in 2010 to require that all new buildings other than dwellings should be designed and constructed so that people with a range of disabilities can safely and independently approach and gain access to such buildings, circulate within them, use the relevant facilities, including sanitary conveniences within them. Further amendments were introduced for new dwellings, which already had to be visitable by people with disabilities since 2001, in respect of approaches and widths of internal doors and certain fittings.
In addition, a comprehensive review to Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations, which was last reviewed in 2006, is now well advanced and a public consultation is envisaged by mid year. A review to Part C (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture) is anticipated to commence before the end of 2015.
Complementary to the Building Regulations, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which came into effect on 1 March 2014, now require greater accountability for demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. I am satisfied that these measures will ensure a greater emphasis on competence, professionalism and quality in our construction industry into the future thereby ensuring that homeowners and construction clients can rely on getting the high quality homes and buildings they expect and deserve.
