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Programme of work

Building Regulations (NI) 2000

Since coming into operation on 1 April 2001, the Building Regulations (NI) have been amended on a number of occasions:

2005 - Amendment to Part E (Fire Safety);

2006 - Amendments to Parts F (Conservation of fuel and power), L (Combustion appliances and fuel storage syestems and R (Access to and use of buildings), with consequential amendments to Parts H (Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact) and V (Glazing).;

2008 - References to Energy Rating Notice replaced with Energy Performance Certificate

2010 - Amendments to Parts D (Structure) and J (Solid waste in buildings)

To view the regulations and the amendments, please see this page - Legislation

Workload

Work is underway on a final amendment to the 2000 Regulations.  It is proposed that this amendment will introduce new requirements in relation to "Plans of No Effect" (namely that individual units on a multi-unit application must be substantially commenced within three years or they may be declared to be of no effect).  It also proposes clarifications and corrections to Parts E (Fire safety), F (Conservation of fuel and power) and L (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems).  The Department intends to make this amendment in mid-Autumn, bringing it into operation by the end of the year.

A programme of work has now been commenced 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:

Phase 1

Technical uplifts to Parts C (Site preparation and resistance to moisture) and G (Sound insulation of dwellings), with broadly level transpositions to Parts E (Fire safety), H (Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact), N (Drainage) and V (Glazing)

Phase 2

Technical uplifts to Parts F (Conservation of fuel and power), K (Ventilation) and L (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems), with broadly level transpositions to Parts D (Structure), P (Sanitary appliances and unvented hot water storage systems) and R (Access to and use of buildings), and consequential amendments to Part A (Interpretation and general)

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.