Building Control

Background The Multi-Storey Building Act 1988 was passed in response to the collapse of a block of flats in Sandymount.  It applied only to buildings of five or more stories, built before 1950.  A basement is counted as a storey for this purpose.… Read the rest

Opt Out for One Off Houses & Extensions In 2015, amendments were made to the Building Control Regulations to ease the burden on domestic extensions and  one-off type developments. An owner who intends to build a dwelling for his own use may take the role of the builder for building control purposes.… Read the rest

Building Regulations The legislation gives the Minister priority to make building regulations.  Building regulations may be made in relation to the design and construction of buildings, material alterations or extension of buildings the provision of  services, fittings and equipment in, or in connection with buildings, material changes in the use of buildings to secure the health, safety and welfare of persons in or about the buildings or affected by buildings; providing for special needs of disabled persons; providing for fuel and energy conservation in relation to buildings; providing for efficient use of resources in relation to buildings; providing for good building practice and such other matters as may be specified.… Read the rest

Structure A structure, a building shall be designed and constructed with the due regard to the theory and practice of structural engineering so as to ensure that the combined actions that are allowable to act on it are sustained and transmitted to the ground safely and without causing such deflection or deformation of any part of the building or such movement on the ground as will impair the stability of any part of another building.… Read the rest

Enforcement Notices An enforcement order may be served where there is a breach of the regulations by way of construction, a material change of use or material alteration of a building, in circumstances where the building control authority would not be prepared to give a dispensation or a relaxation.… Read the rest

Building Control Procedure The Building Control Act came into force on 1st June 1992. Each City and County Council is building control authority for its area. Formerly  Town Councils, which were the former Urban District Councils were building control authorities for their areas until absorption into the County Councils.… Read the rest