The aim of the building regulations is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings.
The Building Regulations apply to the construction of:
- New buildings (residential and non-residential)
- Extensions and material alterations to existing buildings
- Certain Parts of the Regulations apply to changes of use of existing buildings, and
- Major renovations
Under Housing for All, the government’s housing plan to 2030, a Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB), consisting of key construction industry stakeholders across private and the public sectors, will be re-established to advise the Minister on matters relating to the Building Regulations. Existing Building Regulations will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the second schedule to the building regulations.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Interpretation of the legislation is, ultimately, a matter for the Courts.
Implementation and enforcement of the Building Control system is a matter for the local Building Control Authority.
