Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee

The Role of the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC)

The Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) is a statutory body set up under Article 4 of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 to advise the Department on the amendment of building regulations and other associated matters: -

“Building Regulations Advisory Committee

4. (1) The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (in this Order referred to as the Advisory Committee) shall continue to exist to advise the Department upon the amendment of building regulations and upon any matter arising out of or connected with the amendment or operation of building regulations which may be referred to the Advisory Committee by the Department.”

Members of NIBRAC are appointed by the Minister with responsibility for the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland (the Department), and in accordance with the procedures set out in the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (OCPANI).  The Building Regulations Unit (BRU) of Properties Division has responsibility for co-ordinating the appointments to NIBRAC, and also provides the secretariat to the Committee.

Members of NIBRAC are not appointed to represent particular interests or organisations, but rather for the independent experience and knowledge they can bring to the Committee. However, care is taken to ensure that the membership of the Committee reflects the range of expertise in the building industry, and those likely to be affected by the regulations. Backgrounds which are sought include construction, research, design, provision of materials, in addition to associated professions and building regulation enforcement.  Appointments are unpaid, however members may claim for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the business of the Committee.

Current Committee membership

A new committee was established on 18th February 2010.  Its members are:

Mr Kenneth Hunter (Chairman)

Mr Hunter has been Deputy Group Chief Building Control Officer for Southern Group Building Control since 2000. Before this he worked in the construction industry in site management, both at home and abroad. This is Ken’s first term as chairman of NIBRAC.

Mr Joseph Birt

Mr Birt has worked in Building Control since 1991 and has been a Specialist Support Officer for the South Eastern Group Building Control since 2004. He currently sits on the BCNI Communications and Marketing Panel and is Chairman of the Northern Ireland Fire Safety Panel. This is Joseph’s second term as a NIBRAC member.

Mr Michael McGlennon

Mr McGlennon worked in Building Control from 1998 to 2006, serving the last four years as the Principal Building Control Officer for North Down District Council. From 2006 to date, Mr McGlennon has been employed by WYG, a multi-disciplinary consultancy, as an associate director, providing fire engineering and Building Regulation advice throughout the UK and Ireland. This is Michael’s second term as a NIBRAC member.

Dr Patrick Waterfield

Dr Waterfield is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Energy Institute. He has been operating as an energy consultant in Northern Ireland for 15 years. He is editor of an international research journal, and had his first book published recently. This is Patrick’s second term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Adrian Biggar

Mr Biggar is a Group Technical Advisor at CRH Insulation Group Europe, a building materials manufacturer. He is a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor and SAP Assessor. This is Adrian’s second term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Alan Macklin

Mr Macklin is currently employed as Technical Manager at Kingspan Insulation, coming from a background in various sectors within the construction industry including Architectural and Timber Frame Design to Environmental and Civil Engineering consultancy. This is Alan’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr David Crowe

Mr Crowe worked in several of Northern Ireland’s Structural and Civil Engineering Consultancies before becoming a director in Ian Black Consulting Ltd. in 2003. This is David’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr David Little

Mr Little has worked with NHBC since 1999, initially managing their Inspection Service in the eastern half of Northern Ireland, and was appointed as Regional Director for NI and Isle of Man in 2007. This is David’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Raymond Irvine

Mr Irvine has been lecturing at the University of Ulster since 1982 and has continued to practice as an architect through the University Consultancy Centre. He has been involved in the development of many architectural and building courses. He was also involved in the design of a house for a sufferer of Total Allergy Syndrome. This is Raymond’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Ms Aisling Irvine

Ms Irvine is an Access Officer with Disability Action in Northern Ireland. As part of the Access Team in Disability Action, she assists disabled people, service providers and professionals on pan-disability issues. She is an architect and member of the National Register of Access Consultants. This is Aisling’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Donal Rogan

Mr Rogan is Building Control Manager in Belfast City Council. Before taking up this position he was employed by Lisburn City Council as Business Development Manager. He is also chairman of the NI Building Control Executive. This is Donal’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Michael Dorrian

Mr Dorrian took up his first job following graduation from UUJ as an engineer on the Euro Disney Project. Following this he joined a local authority Building Control office in 1995 before going into private practice in 2000 as a Chartered Surveyor and estate agent. This is Michael’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Ms Joan McCoy

Ms McCoy is an architect. She co-founded and is currently a director of White Ink Architects. Prior to this, Joan was an associate at Consarc Design Group and their lead architect for the Odyssey Project. Joan has a particular interest in sustainable architecture and her work has been shortlisted for both the RSPB/RTPNI Sustainable Planning Awards 2008 and the NIHE Home Energy Awards in 2009. This is Joan’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Jonathon Hayes

Mr Hayes first joined Building Control in 1997; he is now Building Control Manager for Armagh City and District Council. In 2009, Jonathon co-wrote a paper for the Institute of Fire Engineers, and is also vice-chair of the NI Fire Safety Panel. This is Jonathon’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Alan Beggs

Mr Beggs is an Associate Director with Michael Slattery & Associated (Fire Engineering Consultants). He has provided significant fire engineering input into deriving fire safety strategies for a varied range of large and complex projects. This is Alan’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr David Blevings

Mr Blevings is a Chartered Valuation and Energy Surveyor with over twenty years experience. He established his own energy consultancy at the end of 2004 and now provides a PR and lobbying role to a number of energy and trade associations throughout Ireland. His current role includes working for OFTEC in Ireland and representing the interests of the NI Oil Federation an Irish Petrol Retailers Association. This is David’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Patrick O’Hagan

Mr O’Hagan is the Principal of Lyons Architects, which he has owned since 1986. The practice is involved with work in both the public and private sectors carrying out general architectural services and interior design work across a broad range of building types. During the past decade, the practice has been developed to provide Project Management services. This is Patrick’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

Mr Lawrence Power

Mr Power is an architect who has extensive design and project administration experience in educational schemes.His approach towards architecture lends itself to ecological, responsive and sustainable design that caters for all aspects of design. He has a keen interest in accessibility issues. This is Lawrence’s first term as a member of NIBRAC.

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