Building Regulations
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
The Low Carbon Homes Scheme
The Low Carbon Homes Scheme is a new rate relief scheme which will come into effect on 1 April 2010. It aims to encourage the building of low and zero carbon homes in Northern Ireland. Find out more by visiting www.nidirect.gov.uk/low-carbon-homes.htm
If you would like to find out more about how new homes are assessed under this scheme visit www.bre.co.uk/lowcarbonhomesschemeni
The Energy Efficient Homes Scheme
The Energy Efficiency Homes scheme is a rate relief which came into effect on 1 April 2010. It aims to encourage home owners to bring their home up to modern standards of insulation. Find out more by visiting www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/property-and-housing/rates/help-with-paying-your-rates/energy-efficient-homes.htm
Consultation commenced on 9 July 2010 on the first of three phases of consultation to introduce a new set of Building Regulations in 2011. For information on the consultation please click here.
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
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.
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
