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
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 Wiki.
Featured articles and news
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.