Northern Ireland building regulations
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Building regulations set minimum standards and requirements for buildings, make provisions for access to buildings and further the conservation of fuel and power.
Under primary legislation from the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (amended in 1990 and 2009), the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland were empowered to write building regulations for certain matters (as defined in the Order). The current regulations are the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, which came into operation on 31st October 2012.
These set out legal requirements intended to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings. They are formulated by the Department of Finance and Personnel and administered by the district councils.
[edit] Role of district councils
The district councils are responsible for:
- The approval of plans. Plans must be approved in advance for works to erect, alter or extend a building, to install services, fittings or works to a building or to materially change the use of a building.
- Relaxation of building regulations requirements in certain circumstances.
- Enforcement of building regulations requirements.
[edit] Technical booklets
In Northern Ireland, the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 are made by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP), who also publishes technical guidance booklets which they recommended are followed during the course of construction. These are:
- 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.
The Department of Finance and Personnel produce technical guidance booklets in support of the regulations. It is not necessary to follow the methods detailed in the booklets but the district council must be satisfied that the building regulations requirements have been met.
[edit] Building regulations appeals
There are four types of appeals available against a particular decision from the district council:
- Rejection of plans.
- Serving a contravention notice.
- Refusal to relax building regulations.
- Decisions relating to materials unsuitable for permanent buildings.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.