A programme of work has now been commenced by the Department of Finance and Personal to change the Building Regulations from regulations supported by deemed-to-satisfy provisions to regulations supported by guidance. The work will be subject to two phases of public consultation:
- It is anticipated that these Regulations will be made at the end of 2011, and will come into operation in Spring 2012.
- In addition to a review of the Building Regulations (NI) 2000, work has also commenced on a review of the Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations (NI) 1997. This will also be the subject of a separate public consultation later this year and the Department intends to bring the new Regulations into operation in Spring 2012.
Phase 1
Consultation on the first phase of three planned phases of consultation to introduce a complete new set of Building Regulations in 2011 closed on 29th October 2010.
Phase 1 concentrated on the revised format of a number of the Technical Booklets, and an uplift of the requirements for two Parts.
The introduction of new guidance-based Technical Booklets for: -
Part E: Fire safety;
Part H: Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact;
Part N: Drainage;
Part V: Glazing; with little or no regulatory change.
Regulatory/technical uplifts and new guidance-based Technical
Booklets for:
Part C: Preparation of site and resistance to moisture; and
Part G: Sound insulation of dwellings.
To view the proposals please follow the link www.dfpni.gov.uk
Phase 2
Work is on-going on the development of a new set of Building Regulations which will consolidate the 2000 Regulations and subsequent amendments. The new Regulations will include technical uplifts to a number of Parts and new provisions brought about by the Building Regulations (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 will also be included. The existing Technical Booklets which provide deemed-to-satisfy provisions will be replaced by a new suite of guidance Technical Booklets.
To view the proposals please follow the link www.dfpni.gov.uk
Phase 3
The 3rd and final phase is currently in development further details to follow.
