The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regulate all gas installers who carry out domestic work through the Registered Gas Installer (RGI) scheme, which is managed by the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII). It is a legal requirement that any work carried out on domestic gas installations must only be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer. Gas boilers and solid fuel appliances should be installed in accordance Irish Standards IS 813 for gas boilers and IS 258 and BS 8303 for solid fuel appliances.
The Building Regulations provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The requirements of the Building Regulations are set out in 12 parts classified as Parts A to M.
In relation to replacement boilers in existing dwellings;
- Part J of the Building Regulations (Heat Producing Appliances) sets out a range of legal requirements associated with heat producing appliances, including air supply, discharge of the products of combustion, warning of carbon monoxide and protection of the building from fire in consequence of their use etc. Part J applies to both new and replacement installations.
- Part L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) sets out minimum efficiencies for replacement oil and gas boilers in existing dwellings. Detailed guidance for dwellings using a wide range of space and water heating systems is contained in a supporting document Heating and Domestic Hot Water Systems for Dwellings – Achieving compliance with Part L and Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2019 https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/heating_and_domestic_hot_water_systems_for_dwellings.pdf
The Building Regulations do not apply retrospectively to buildings or dwellings. The decision to replace a boiler is a matter for the homeowner in consultation with their competent professional adviser (in the case of domestic gas installations this must be a Registered Gas Installer) in accordance with the appropriate national safety standards.
