Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
221. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on current height restrictions on timber framed buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7782/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is considering changing the height restrictions on timber framed buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7783/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review the fire safety codes with relation to timber framed buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7784/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the quality control measures which are in place for timber frame housing in view of the lack of regulation and quality control that was in place for block build over the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7795/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 222, 223 and 226 together.
The Building Regulations 1997-2021 set out the legal requirements for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. Their aim is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about 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). The Building Regulations are set out in functional terms. They are performance based and technology/material neutral. Primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings.
The associated Technical Guidance Documents (TGD A - M respectively) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the Building Regulations in practical terms for common non-complex buildings. Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance, such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulations. However, the adoption of an approach other than that outlined in the guidance is not precluded provided that the relevant requirements of the Regulations are complied with.
Part D (Materials and Workmanship) requires that all works should be carried out in a workmanlike manner using “proper materials…which are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are to be used” to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
‘Proper Materials’ includes materials which comply with an appropriate harmonised standard or European Technical Assessment or comply with an appropriate Irish Standard or Irish Agrément Certificate or with an alternative national technical specification of any State which is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which provides in use an equivalent level of safety and suitability.
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 www.nsai.ie/certification/.
My Department does not approve or endorse products for compliance with the Building Regulations or standards. It is critical to ensure that products, systems, and ultimately buildings which are comprised of such products and systems, are designed, constructed, and certified, as fit for purpose, having regard to their intended end use.
A key action of the Government’s Housing for All plan is an ongoing review of Building Regulations to drive compliance and standards through regulatory reform.
On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Building Regulations relating to fire safety. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the re-use of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying and rationalising fire safety requirements. I encourage all interested parties to make a submission, details of which can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/1ed7c-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-part-b-fire-safety-of-the-building-regulations/ .
