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Building Regulations

The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 - Phase 2 consultation on proposed new regulations has concluded

The second phase of consultation has now concluded on proposals that will result in a new set of building regulations for Northern Ireland.  Information on Phase 1 of the consultation (which ended on 29 October 2010) can be found on this page.  Phase 3, which will address proposed changes to the Fees Regulations, will commence later this year.

Phase 2 consists of proposals on:

  • the introduction of new guidance-based Technical Booklets for Part B (Materials and Workmanship), Part D (Structure), Part J (Solid waste in buildings) and Part R (Access to and use of buildings) with no or little regulatory change;
  • technical uplifts and new guidance-based Technical Booklets for Part F(Conservation of fuel and power), Part K (Ventilation), Part L (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) and Part P (Sanitary appliances and unvented hot water storage systems);
  • additional amendments to Part H (Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact) and Technical Booklet E (Fire safety) as a result of Phase 1 consultation; and
  • amendments to Part A (Interpretation and general) including consequential changes required as a result of proposed amendments to technical Parts.

Details of the consultation proposals can be found on the Building Regulations Consultations page

The consultation closed on Friday 14th October 2011.  Submissions made after this date cannot be considered.

Looking for information on your application?

Within Northern Ireland, your district council is responsible for a number of the functions set out in Building Regulations, including enforcement of the Regulations and the passing of plans within the council boundaries. These functions are carried out by the council’s Building Control Department (see www.buildingcontrol-ni.com for details).

If you are seeking information about an application for Building Control approval, or if you have a question about enforcement of Building Regulations, please contact your local district council. Questions about planning matters should be addressed to DOE Planning Service

For information about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) please see www.epb.dfpni.gov.uk.

For information regarding the interrelation between the Energy Performance Regulations and the Building Regulations, please see both_regs.pdf

On this website you will find information about the function of building regulations within Northern Ireland.

You will also find links to our Technical Booklets and other Building Regulations documentation and legislation.

The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) is responsible for the development and the implementation of policy and legislation relating to the Building Regulations for Northern Ireland.

Under Article 3 of the Building Regulations (NI) Order 1979, the Department is empowered to:“make regulations to be known as "building regulations” -

  • for all or any of the matters set out in Schedule 1 [of the Order]; and
  • for such other matters relating to buildings as appear to the Department after consultation with the Advisory Committee to be relevant to the purposes of this Order."

The advisory committee is the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee

In addition to this function, we are also the appeals body for certain appeals against building control decisions.

Carbon Monoxide - be aware of the dangers

A new campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.  More information on the campaign and on how to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning can be found on the NI Direct website by following this link: Watch Out! Carbon Monoxide Kills

Approved SAP software for Northern Ireland

Any program on BRE’s “Approved software for SAP 2005” list that has a “Yes” in the NI column under TER / DER is suitable for use in Northern Ireland. Software approved solely for use in England and Wales is not suitable for demonstrating compliance with Part F.

These lists are available on the BRE website at www.bre.co.uk/sap2005