Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
777. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations or guidelines in place governing consumer protection and standards for residential log cabins both at the point of sale and the point of assembly and construction. [37637/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra805. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations or guidelines in place governing standards for residential log cabins both at the point of sale and the point of assembly and construction. [37636/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 777 and 805 together.
All new dwellings must comply with building regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The building regulations apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings.
The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the second schedule to the building regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M).
For new innovative products or systems, not covered by existing standards, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by 3rd party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agrément. My Department does not have an approval function and does not approve or endorse products for compliance with the building regulations or standards.
I.S.440: 2009+A1:2014 Timber Frame Construction, Dwellings and other Buildings is the Irish standard on timber frame construction (as referenced in Technical Guidance Document A 2012 and Technical Guidance Document B Vol 2 2017). I.S. 440 refers to responsibilities, materials, design, manufacture, construction details, site work and services.
Manufacturers of timber frame buildings are assessed under an approval scheme operated by the NSAI for compliance with I.S. 440 requirements including Factory Production Control (FPC). A register of compliant manufacturers is available on the NSAI website at https://www.nsai.ie/Our-Services/Certification/Company-Registration-Search.aspx.
In relation to the marketing of construction products, under Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, CE marking is mandatory for all construction products placed on the market in the European Economic Area and it is covered by:
- a harmonised European product standard, or
- a European Technical Assessment (these are used by manufacturers of products which are not covered by a harmonised European standard but who still wish their products to be CE marked).
The CPR aims to ensure that reliable performance-related data is made available, by means of Declarations of Performance, in relation to construction products being placed on the European market. While there are no harmonised standards for log cabins, citizens have consumer protection rights and these are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
