2020/0504/UK
EC/EFTA
GB Vereinigtes Königreich
  • B00 - BAUWESEN
2020-11-11
2020-08-20

See Main content.

The new regulation 23(2) will apply to 'relevant buildings' as defined when construction involves:

i) the erection of a building;
ii) alteration or extension of a building; or
iii) a material change of use to a building which results in a relevant building.

The PHE publication 'Radon in Northern Ireland: Indicative Atlas' will be used to determine if a dwelling is in a radon affected area or not when construction involves:
i) the erection of a dwelling;
ii) alteration or extension of a dwelling; or
iii) a material change of use to a building which results in a dwelling.

Amendment to Parts B (Materials and workmanship) and C (Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture) of 'The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (as amended)' to address fire safety and radon issues respectively.

The amendment to 'The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (as amended)' will:

1. Introduce a new regulation 23(2) in Part B (see page 5 of Technical Booklet B) to require materials on external walls of 'relevant buildings' to achieve a 'reaction to fire' minimum performance classification that effectively bans the use of combustible materials on the external walls of these buildings. The proposals will mean that materials which become part of an external wall, or specified attachment, of a relevant building are of European Classification A2-s1, d0 or Class A1, classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1: 2018.
The amendment will also introduce new guidance in Technical Booklet E (Fire safety) in relation to 'Assessments in lieu of tests' or desktop studies by another name (see page 28 of Technical Booklet E).

2. Amend the definition of 'radon affected area' in Part C (see page 6 of Technical Booklet C) to recognise the 2015 Public Health England publication 'Radon in Northern Ireland: Indicative Atlas'. This publication will be used to establish if a dwelling is located in a radon affected area.