Building Control Reform Agenda
An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
John Wickham BSc(Eng) Dip Eng CEng MIEI MIStructE
Senior Adviser – Housing Advisers/ Building Standards
Housing Advisers & Building Standards
• Provide technical/ professional advice to the Housing Division and across Departmental structures, to Local Authorities, Voluntary Bodies & Regeneration Agencies; and
• Assess & advise on capital works projects to ensure quality, compliance with public procurement requirements, more efficient delivery of public works projects, achievement of greater cost certainty and value for money
• Provide a strong & evolving building code in support of quality construction, sustainable development and compliance with relevant EU requirements
Presentation Overview
• Regulatory Framework in Ireland
• Building Regulations
• Construction Products Regulations
• Building Control
• Building Control Regulations
• Building Control Management Project
• Construction Industry Register Ireland
Building Regulations
Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014
• Building Regulations 1997 to 2017
• Building Control Regulations 1997 to
2015
To secure the health, safety, and
welfare of people in or about buildings
Regulatory Framework
Application of Building Regulations
Building Regulations apply to
1. New buildings
2. Extensions
3. Material alterations
4. Repair or renewal likely to effect structural integrity
5. Material change of use
6. New or replacement of services, fittings and equipment
where Parts G, H or J impose a requirement
Building Regulations - Requirements
• Building Control Act 1990 (6) Building regulations may—
( a ) prescribe standards (expressed in terms of performance, types of material, methods of construction or otherwise) in relation to all or any of the matters specified in the First Schedule to this Act or in relation to any other matter which, in the opinion of the Minister, is relevant to the purposes for which building regulations may be made,
B6 - Means of warning and escape in case of fire.
A dwelling house shall be so designed and constructed that there are
appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire and there are adequate
means of escape in case of fire from the dwelling house to a place of safety
outside the building, capable of being safely and effectively used.
Building Regulations - TGDs
• SI 497 of 1997 – Article 7 Where works or a building to which these Regulations apply is or are designed and constructed in accordance with any guidance contained in a technical guidance document, this shall, prima facie, indicate compliance with the relevant requirements of these Regulations. The provisions of any guidance contained in a technical guidance document published under sub-article (1) concerning the use of a particular material, method of construction or specification, shall not be construed as prohibiting compliance with a requirement of these Regulations by the use of any other suitable material, method of construction or specification
Part H - Drainage, Waste Water Disposal (2010)
Part J - Heat Producing Appliances (2014)
Part K - Stairways, Ladders, Ramps & Guards (2014)
Part L - Conservation of Fuel & Energy (201X)
Part M - Access & Use (2010)
Part A – Structure (2012)
Part B - Fire Safety (201X)
Part C - Site Preparation and Moisture Resistance (201X)
Part D – Materials & Workmanship (2013)
Part E – Sound (2014)
Part F - Ventilation (2009)
Part G – Hygiene (2011)
On-going review
2005 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2015 2014 2013
Pa
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So
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Pa
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Waste
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Pa
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– V
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Pa
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– S
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Pa
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– F
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Pa
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Non
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Parts C and L under review
2016
Pa
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– H
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Ap
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Pa
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– F
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Sa
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2017
Pa
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Fire
Sa
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Construction Products Regulation
• Since July 2013, CE MARKING of construction products covered by harmonised European Standards is mandatory, when that product is placed on the market.
• Manufacturers, importers and distributors have new obligations and responsibilities when placing a construction product on the market.
• Designers, specifiers, builders etc. must be aware and understand the new system when procuring or using construction products in construction works.
Construction Products Regulation
S.I. 225 of 2013
European Union (Construction Products) Regulations
• Building control authorities are designated as the principal market surveillance authorities
• Provides for necessary actions to –
stop the circulation of construction products that do not comply with all the requirements set out in the CPR (e.g. bans, withdrawals, recalls),
require economic operators to bring their construction products into compliance, and/or
apply sanctions to non-compliant economic operators.
NOTE: responsibility for demonstrating a construction product’s compliance with the requirements of the CPR rests with the manufacturer of the product. It is not the responsibility of a market surveillance authority to certify products.
Marketing ‘versus’ Using
Differences between hENs and National Standards
• Traditional national standards were prescriptive.
• hENs harmonise assessment methods e.g. tests
protocols etc.
• hENs DO NOT set the levels of performance required for
certain uses.
National guidance on performance in use
National Annexes, Standard Recommendations, Technical Guidance Documents set out the appropriate minimum performance levels for specific intended uses in Ireland, which may be used to show compliance with the Building Regulations, see NSAI Guidance on Harmonized Standards that fall
within the remit of the Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC: https://www.nsai.ie/our-services/standardization/about-standards/constructionstandards.aspx
Product standards
Guidance to Product standards
https://www.nsai.ie/our-services/standardization/about-standards/constructionstandards.aspx
• Specifiers can better define their performance demands for the specific end use by means of reference to NSAI Standard Recommendations, National Annexes, TGDs.
• Enables end users e.g. builders to purchase the product with the prescribed performance.
• DoP may be harnessed to readily determine whether the products incorporated into the works are carried out using “proper materials…which are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are to be used” to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
Benefits of Technical Tools of the CPR
Review the
DoP !!
Building Control Regulations
Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014
• Building Regulations 1997 to 2017
• Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2015
To secure the implementation of, and
compliance with the requirements of Building Regulations
Regulatory Framework
Administrative procedures for building control and provides for :-
• Commencement Notices
• Fire Safety Certificates
• Payments of Fees
• Keeping of a register
• Procedures for making of appeals to an Board Pleanala
Building Control Regulations
Building Failures
Design
Workmanship Products
Fire Safety
Pyrite
Concrete
Blocks
Non-standardised forms
of construction
Shoddy
Workmanship
• A review was carried out.
• The key deficits identified in the regulatory regime
were the
• lack of involvement of construction professionals on
site, particularly in relation to housing, and
• lack of accountability in relation to compliance with the
Building Regulations.
How can the Building Control System
prevent this happening again?
• Application – 1st March 2014
• Design & Construction of a new dwelling
• An extension to a dwelling involving a total floor area greater than 40 sq m
• Works to which Fire Safety Certificates apply
• Introduction of statutory Certificates of compliance –
• Design Certifier
• Certified Designs
• Assigned certifier
• Inspections
• Builder
• Competent
• Completion
• Certificate signed by Builder & Assigned Certifier
Response - SI 9 of 2014
• Commencement
• Filed though IT enabler - BCMS
• GA drawings; schedule of plans/calculation/ specifications/particulars to outline
how proposal will comply with Building Regulation; completion of on-line
assessment
• Preliminary Inspection Plan
• Certificate of compliance - Design, Undertaking by Assigned certifier and by
Builder
• Fee
• Construction Period
• Implementation of inspection plan
• Code of Practice for inspecting and certifying buildings and works
• Changes to owner, assigned certifier or builder must be notified
• Scheduled information
• Significant changes to works
What changed in March 2014?
No more paper
DEDICATED Construction DraWINGS
Planned iNSPECTIONS
COMPETENT PEOPLE involved from beginning
iNSPECTIONS
SINLGLE POINT OF
CONTACT
• Completion
• Certificate of compliance – Completion
• Plans/calculation/ specifications/particulars to show how it differs from commencement and
complies with Building Regulations
• Inspection plan as implemented
SI 9 OF 2014
STATUTORY CERTIFICATE OF
COMPLIANCE ON COMPLETION
As built drawings
RECORD OF INSPECTIONS
Code of Practice for Inspecting & Certifying Buildings & Works
• Prima facie evidence of compliance
• Practical guidance for the Assigned Certifier in order to be in a position to sign
the Certificate of Compliance on Completion as Assigned Certifier.
• Sets out the roles, responsibilities & administrative requirements
• Building owners, Designers, Builders, Certifiers, Building Control
Authorities, Building materials and component manufacturers.
• Latest update – September 2016
• Sample Preliminary Inspection Plan was seen as a positive development
• Responding to affordability/economic cost.
• Promotion of good practice in the construction sector
Code of Practice
National Building Control Management Project
Background
•Greater Efficiency
•More Effective Inspections
•Consistency across the country
National Oversight – Local Implementation
National Building Control Management Project
Regional Committees Regional Committees – Consistency
Objective Governance & Oversight
Objective
Improve the effectiveness of the Building Control Service in the 31 Building Control Authorities, by creating a centralised structure for the governance and oversight of Building Control.
This will be carried out through four work-streams:
1. IT Enabler (BCMS)
2. Training
3. Compliance Support
4. Inspections
Governance & Oversight
Objective IT Enabler - Efficiency
BCMS facilitates the electronic administration of building control functions and provides a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector.
NBCMP National Building Control Management Project
Objective
1. Continuing Professional Development- Annual CPD programme
2. Minimum Competency Training - Local Authority Regional Training Centres - 6 Module Course
3. Post Graduate Diploma - Trinity College Dublin
Building Control Training - Consistency
Objective Minimum Competency Training
Module 1 - Legislation Overview [Building Control Act, Building Regs, Building Control Regs, CPR, EPBD, Fire Services Act etc.]
Module 2 – BCMS and Data Analytics [BCMS front end and back end & reports system]
Module 3 – Building Regulations [Application of Parts A to M]
Module 4 - Inspections and Inspection Procedures [First principal approach – purpose, procedure/process, action/warrants, records/notes – best practice.
Module 5 – Enforcement/ Legal [Section 8/ Section 11, Serving notices , Court]
Module 6 - Compliance Support [Code of Practice, Framework, FAQs]
Objective Compliance Support - Consistency
Standardisation of Operational Activity
•Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works.
•Framework for Building Control Authorities.
•Guidelines for Market Surveillance Authorities.
•Frequently Asked Questions.
•Best Practice
Objective Inspection work stream - Effective
1. Management and Standardisation of the Inspection Regime • Best Practice
2. Online Assessment Module • Use of data to inform Risk Based Inspection Regime and potentially the most
effective stages to inspect such works. The aim is to position Building Control Authorities to carry out risk based targeted inspections by making more efficient and effective use of the resources available.
• Optimisation of BCMS for Data Analytics i.e. Housing Statistics.
3. Electronic Inspection System • Mobile Inspection App • Inspection management system (built into BCMS)
Construction Industry Register Ireland
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CIRI Register
Register of Builders, Contractors & Specialist Sub-contractors
In place as voluntary register since 2014
─ referenced in Building Control Regulations
─ Owner obligation to appoint competent builder – CIRI provides one
way of meeting obligation
─ 800 entities on register
Statutory Register
─ Construction 2020 measure
─ Commitment renewed in Action Plan for Jobs 2016
─ Legislative process to begin
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Why?
The main objective is to develop and promote a culture of
competence, good practice and compliance with the building
regulations in the construction sector, which will benefit
consumers and the general public.
─Consumer Protection
─Tackling Shadow Economy
─Level playing field for compliant operators
Publication, drafting and referral for pre-legislative scrutiny of
the Draft General Scheme of a Bill was approved by
Government at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 30 May 2017
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What will it look like?
Mandatory statutory register which a builder must be
included on in order to carry out any works under the Building
Control Acts.
The register will be divided into a number of different
categories depending on the nature and complexity of the
works involved
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Eligibility
Competence relative to category - a builder will have to
demonstrate competence in the area, or areas of
construction to which his application for registration
relates.
Induction module online.
Code of Conduct.
Continuous Professional Development
Declaration of compliance/conviction with legislation
Tax Compliance
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Governance
CIRI Board
Chairperson appointed by the Minister for Housing,
Planning, and Local Government and
ten Board members of whom
─ five members will be construction professionals or
builder/contractor representatives and
─ five members will be nominated by relevant Ministers as
follows:-
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Application
The Act will apply to any individual, sole trader,
registered company or partnership, carrying out
building works which includes any act in connection
with the construction, extension, alteration, repair or
renewal of a building under the Building Control
Acts 1990 – 2014 to which the Building Regulations
1997-2017 apply.
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Complaints/Investigations
Consumers
─ Fail to comply with registration requirements
The CIRI Board may also carry out an investigation
─ in order to identify any improper conduct,
─ poor professional performance or
─ a breach of the registration requirements as set out in the draft
Bill.
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Sanctions
CIRI Board may impose a proportionate sanction
─ censure or admonishment,
─ temporary suspension of registration, or
─ removal from the register.
Sanctions imposed may be appealed
Sanctions can be published by the CIRI Board in a
format deemed appropriate.
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Offences and Penalties
• Offences
• Include undertaking and carrying out building works
without being registered with CIRI or
• failure to notify a material matter such as a
conviction under Building Control or Health and Safety legislation to the registration body.
Summary prosecution and conviction
─ imposition of a class A fine and/or
─ imprisonment for a term up to12 months.
Conclusions
Design
Workmanship Products
Building Regulations
Durabilty
Building Control
Regulations
Construction Industry
Register
Building Regulations
Construction Products
Regulations
Thank you
for your attention
An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil
Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government