The Building Regulations are a set of legal requirements for the design and construction of new buildings, extensions and material alterations to and certain changes of use of buildings, and provide for the health, safety and welfare of people, conservation of fuel and energy, and access for people with disabilities.
The Regulations are divided into 12 separate parts, Part A to M, and the Department of The Environment have issued a set of Techincal Guidance Documents, commonly known as TGD's, which give guidance on how to construct a building so that it complies with the Regulations. Where works are carried out in accordance with the TGDs, this will indicate compliance with the Regulations. The adoption of an approach different to the TGD's is not prohibited, provided that the approach meets the requirements of the Regulations. To access these TGD's, click on the link below:
Technical Guidance Documents.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the Regulations rests with Designers, Builders and Building Owners. Donegal County Council is a Building Control Authority and has powers of inspection, enforcement and prosecution where breaches of the Regulations occur. There are heavy penalties including fines and imprisonment for breaches. In addition there may be difficulties in selling a property if a purchasers solicitor is not satisfied that the requirements of the regulations have been met.
The Building Control Regulations supplement the basic system of enforcement.
Three important control arrangements are provided:
A Disability Access Certificate (DAC) will certify compliance at design stage with the requirements of Technical Guidance Document M 2000 of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to 2008. It means your building, if built in accordance with the design submitted with the DAC application, will be accessible for persons with varying disabilities. All new buildings, except houses and certain agricultural buildings, require a Disability Access Certificate. More Info
A Commencement Notice is a notification to the Building Control Authority of an intention to start work and must be submitted not more than 28 days and not less than 14 days before commencement.
The Building Control Authority keeps a record of the valid Commencement Notices it recieves (Commencement Notice Register).
A Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) is a certificate granted by the Building Control Authority that certifies that the building or works, if constructed in accordance with the plans submitted, would comply with Part B of the second schedule to the Building Regulations, 1997 and 2008. All new buildings, except houses and certain agricultural buildings, require a Fire Safety Certificate.
Further information can be obtained by e-mail johnny.mcgettigan@donegalcoco.ie or by visiting the Department's website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/