Regional News - Ireland
EventsNews
February 2007
Sustainable Energy Ireland - E-Update
November 2005
NEW BUILDING REGULATIONS
Described by some as "the most radical changes to face the construction industry in 20 years", the requirements being introduced in the amended Building Regulations will be a challenge for all of the industry.
More than 10 years ago the requirements to provide smoke detection in dwellings, escape windows and safety glazing were introduced through the Building Regulations. Today, these have become the industry norm and no professional Architect or Builder would contemplate erecting a building without them.
Over the next year we will witness further evolution, with several major changes to the Regulations. Whilst some of the proposals are at a very early stage of drafting, this article is intended to give you an insight into the changes.
Fire Safety - Part E
3 October 2005 saw the first change in the Regulations, with the introduction of new fire safety standards. In dwellings, improved guidance has been given on inner rooms. Emergency egress windows (smaller than the previous escape windows) are now required from every habitable room on the first floor and the requirement for automatic detection has been extended to cover kitchens and the principal living room.
In non-domestic buildings, new measures are required to protect escape routes. These include premises where food and drink are consumed, ancillary childcare facilities, buildings where phased evacuation is used and in small retail premises. New guidance is provided for enclosure of special fire hazard rooms and for escape lighting in schools, while the size of raised storage areas permitted without fire resistance has been considerably increased. A maximum limit of 2000mē has been set for the floor area of retail buildings which do not have sprinklers and fire tests have been harmonised with European standards.
Environmental Protection - Parts F and L
In 2006 we will see the amendment of Parts F and L of the regulations. These changes are aimed at making both domestic and non-domestic buildings more fuel efficient and therefore less damaging to the environment. The standards required for each individual building will be calculated using a new carbon emissions assessment; this may, in some cases require the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or photovoltaic cells. Heating boilers will need to be of greater efficiency, most likely SEDBUK A or B rating with the standards of fabric insulation greatly increased in many cases. A new requirement to have completed buildings 'air pressure tested' is also likely to be introduced. Controls will be introduced regarding the siting of fuel storage tanks, with a new requirement for the commissioning and testing of heating systems and flues.
Equality for all - Part R (Northern Ireland)
Later in 2006 Part R (Northern Ireland) is likely to be amended becoming the standard - 'Access to and the use of buildings'. The main focus of this review relates to public buildings, with the current domestic standards for visitability remaining unchanged.
Many of the present exemptions (for existing buildings being altered, extended or where the use is changed) will be removed. Vertical access will be required in almost all cases, by means of a lift or lifting platform. Rest areas will be required more frequently on ramps and suitable colour contrasts will be required. Many of the existing requirements are likely to be increased or enhanced, while some additional requirements will be introduced.
# Building Control in Northern Ireland will be running seminars on these new Regulations. If you require further details contact Billy Gillespie at 02825 633480, Patrick Hobson at 02844 610827 or Bronagh Doonan at 02838 312591.
CORKAGH LODGE PAVILION
Gerry Wynne MBEng of Building Management Group (BMG), quantity surveyors attended the opening of the new Corkagh Lodge Pavilion which has recently been unveiled in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, County Dublin. The Pavilion has been built to provide facilities for the football teams who use Corkagh Park.
The contract to build the pavilion - which included an ecological green roof system - was a co-operation between the client, South Dublin County Council (SDCC), Parks Department and the contractor, Castleknock Construction Ltd to construct the building within budget.
Gerry Wynne
Biography
William J Gillespie BSc DMS CEng MICE FBEng is a Chartered Civil Engineer. He graduated from Queens University Belfast in 1975 with a degree in Civil Engineering and went on to gain a Diploma in Management from the University of Ulster. Billy worked for 18 years with Consulting Engineers Kirk McClure Morton on design of structures, water and sewerage installations and electrical monitoring equipment. He worked on site as Resident Engineer on road construction, reservoirs and treatment plants and in London as Regional Director before moving to Building and Civil Engineering Contractors P & J McNicholl in 1993. He joined Building Control in 1996 as Education and Training Officer for the South Eastern Group of Councils. In 2002 he moved to the North Eastern Group of Councils as Assistant Group Chief Building Control Officer based in Ballymena. Billy is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Fellow of the Association of Building Engineers. Billy specialises in Training and Development, communication and the provision of information for customers of Building Control and the Public. His aim is to ensure the provision of a uniform and consistent, high quality Building Control Service in the N E Group and throughout Northern Ireland.