Building control Northern Ireland

The building regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction, such as; health, structural stability, fire safety, energy conservation and accessibility.

In Northern Ireland, the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 are made by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP), which also publishes technical guidance booklets which they recommended are followed during the course of construction.

• Amendments Booklet - 2022 (AMD 8) - June 2022
• Amendments Booklet - 2022 (AMD 7) - April 2022
• Technical Booklet B - Materials and workmanship July 2013
• Technical Booklet C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture October 2012
• Technical Booklet D - Structure October 2012
• Technical Booklet E - Fire safety October 2012
• Technical Booklet F1 - Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings – June 2022
• Technical Booklet F2 - Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings – June 2022
• Technical booklet G - Resistance to the passage of sound October 2012
• Technical Booklet H - Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact October 2012
• Technical Booklet J - Solid waste in building October 2012
• Technical Booklet K - Ventilation October 2012
• Technical Booklet L - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems October 2012
• Technical Booklet M- Physical infrastructure for high-speed communications networks January 2017
• Technical Booklet N - Drainage October 2012
• Technical Booklet P - Sanitary appliances, unvented hotwater storage systems and reducing the risk of scalding October 2012
• Technical Booklet R - Access to and use of buildings October 2012
• Technical Booklet V - Glazing October 2012

There is no obligation to follow the methods or comply with the standards set out in the Technical Booklets. Any form of construction may be adopted but it must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of district councils that the requirements of the building regulations have been met.

Local councils have a statutory duty to enforce the building regulations by assessing plans submitted and through site inspections. When construction has finished and a building is completed, a certificate of completion will be granted by building control if they are satisfied that all the necessary building regulations have been adhered to.

Building Control Northern Ireland is responsible for ensuring that the building regulations are enforced by local councils. This is a voluntary umbrella group of the 26 council departments and five Group Building Control Offices. The Group Units have a statutory role monitoring and co-ordinating the work of the Councils in their area, to ensure uniformity and consistency in interpretation, application and enforcement.

Building regulations are applicable to the majority of building works and an application is required before beginning work. Applications are needed for:

• New builds.
• Dwellings.
• Detached garages (over 30m2 floor area).
• Extensions to existing properties.
• Alterations to a building’s structure.
• Removal of walls.
• Installation of patio doors.
• Conversion of roof space.
• Attached garages.
• Thermal alterations.
• Cavity wall installation.
• Removal of thermal elements.
• Republic of Ireland updates to planning and development.
• Alteration of use of a building.
• Installation of works and fittings.
• Drainage alterations.
• Mains powered smoke detectors.
• Pressurised domestic hot water systems.
• Building work affecting fire safety.
• Work of a minor nature, including installing heating appliances and systems.
• Some repair work to buildings.

Applications can be Full Plans applications, where a ‘Notice of Passing of Plans’ is obtained for the design shown on drawings, or can be a building notice application (sometimes permitted for domestic proposals) where work is carried out without the submission of full plans but instead is inspected on site.

It is advisable to contact the local Building Control Services to determine the appropriate application method and to discuss projects before making an application. In some circumstances, works may be exempt from the building regulations but they may require other approvals and so it is still recommended that developers contact Building Control Services before beginning work.

Applications for building regulations approval require payment of a fee, the amount of which depends on the type of works proposed. A fee calculator is available to assist with estimating the fees for domestic buildings.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Building regulations.
• Building warrant (Scotland).
• Licensing.
• Northern Ireland building regulations.
• Northern Ireland closer to creating infrastructure advisory board.
• Northern Ireland planning policy
• Scottish building standards.
• Statutory approvals.
• Statutory authorities.
• The Building Act.
• United Kingdom.
• Welsh building regulations.

[edit] External references

• Building Control Northern Ireland.
• Building Regulations.
• Fee calculator.
• Local Building Control Office.