Building Regulations (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009

Building regulations

1.—(1) In Article 2 of the principal Order (interpretation) after paragraph (3) add—

“(4) For the purposes of this Order “low or zero carbon system” means any system used for the generation of electricity or the production of heat which, in generating electricity or (as the case may be) producing heat, relies wholly or mainly on a source of energy or a technology mentioned in paragraph (5).

(5) Those sources of energy and technologies are—

(a) biomass;

(b) biofuels;

(c) fuel cells;

(d) photovoltaics;

(e) water (including waves and tides);

(f) wind;

(g) solar power;

(h) geothermal sources;

(i) combined heat and power systems;

(j) other sources of energy and technologies for the generation of electricity or the production of heat, the use of which would, in the opinion of the Department, cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

(6) In paragraph (5)(j) “other greenhouse gases” means—

(a) methane;

(b) nitrous oxide;

(c) hydrofluorocarbons;

(d) perfluorocarbons;

(e) sulphur hexafluoride.”.

(2) In Schedule 1 to the principal Order (matters which may be included in building regulations)—

(a) for paragraph 2, substitute—

“2.   Suitability, durability, use, reuse and recycling of materials and components (including surface finishes) and the life cycle of materials and components.

2A.   Measures requiring the use of reused or recycled materials.”;

(b) in paragraph 13, after “heat exchangers” insert “, low or zero carbon systems, heat networks”;

(c) for paragraph 17 substitute—

“17.   Standards and performance of heating, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning.

17A.   Standards of artificial lighting and provision of power outlets.

17B.   Measures relating to the security of buildings.

17C.   Measures to prevent pollution and nuisance.

17D.   Measures affecting the use of fuel or power (including the amount of fuel or power to be derived from a particular source or sources).

17E.   Measures affecting the sustainable use of water (including equipment for monitoring and measuring supplies of water).”.