http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2000/389/noteBuilding Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000Building regulationsListed buildingsBuildingsFire safetyBuilding and constructionBUILDING REGULATIONS2026-03-10Statute Law Database2000-12-11 These Regulations revoke and replace with amendments the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (“the 1994 Regulations”), and all subsequent amending Regulations. They impose certain mandatory requirements (called functional or performance requirements) in relation to—the construction of any building and to certain services and fittings in conjunction with any building;the structural alteration or extension of any building; andany building undergoing a material change of use. (This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations revoke and replace with amendments the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (“the 1994 Regulations”), and all subsequent amending Regulations. They impose certain mandatory requirements (called functional or performance requirements) in relation to— a the construction of any building and to certain services and fittings in conjunction with any building; b the structural alteration or extension of any building; and c any building undergoing a material change of use.

They come into operation on 1st April 2001, but do not apply in relation to work which has been completed, or for which plans have been deposited with a district council, before that date.

As in the previous Building Regulations, each Part of these Regulations is identified by a capital letter and the regulations within each Part are identified by the appropriate letter and by numbers which run from “l” within each Part.

Most of the mandatory requirements of the Regulations are complemented by provisions which describe methods or materials which are deemed to satisfy the relevant functional or performance requirements. These provisions (called “deemed-to-satisfy provisions” and printed in italics) make extensive use of British Standards, British Standard Codes of Practice and, where relevant Technical Booklets published by Northern Ireland Departments. In addition— a any products designed and manufactured in accordance with a European Council Directive relating to a particular purpose shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of these Regulations insofar as they relate to that purpose; and b any products designed and manufactured in accordance with— i any national technical specification of a state within the European Economic Area; ii any relevant international standard recognised for use within such a state; iii any appropriate traditional procedures of manufacture used within such a state; and iv any European Technical Approvals issued in accordance with Directive 89/106/EEC, which give an equivalent standard of protection and performance to the relevant British Standard or British Code of Practice will also be deemed to satisfy the relevant requirements of these Regulations.

These provisions do not preclude use of other methods or materials which will satisfy the functional requirements (regulation A3).

These Regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC.

These Regulations introduce a change of format of Parts B to V to aid the recognition of harmonised European Standards which will be produced to replace the British Standards currently referred to in the Regulations. Instead of being contained within each Part of the regulations the documents containing the deemed-to-satisfy standards are now set out in tabular form in the new Schedule 5.

Apart from the change of format, the principal changes from the 1994 Regulations are—

1 In Part B (Materials and workmanship) the definition of materials has been expanded to encourage the consideration of environmental aspects. 2 In Part C (Preparation of site and resistance to moisture) the area in which new dwellings require measures to limit the ingress of radon has been extended. The radon affected area is indicated on the map in Schedule 3. 3 In Part E (Fire safety) the deemed-to-satisfy references for means of escape (regulation E2) have been updated. 4 In Part H (retitled Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact) the scope has been extended to reflect the requirements of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (NI) 1993. The main changes are— a the introduction of new requirements for areas used for maintenance and vehicle loading bays (regulation H5); and b the introduction of requirements to reduce the risk of people injuring themselves from impact or trapping by doors or collision with open windows, skylights or ventilators (regulations H6 and H7). 5 In Part P (Sanitary appliances and unvented hot water storage systems) restrictions preventing sanitary accommodation opening directly from kitchens have been limited to buildings other than dwellings and the regulations have been extended to require sanitary accommodation which opens directly from a kitchen to contain a wash hand basin (regulation P4). 6 In Part R (Access and facilities for disabled people) the regulations have been extended to require new dwellings to have access and facilities to enable disabled people to visit. The main changes are to require— a means of access suitable for disabled people to dwellings and to the common entrances of blocks of flats; b means of circulation for disabled people within the entrance storey of dwellings (or the principal storey if there are no habitable rooms in the entrance storey); c wc facilities for disabled people on the entrance storey of dwellings (or the principal storey); d suitable facilities for disabled people in lifts where they are provided in blocks of flats; and e switches and socket outlets to be located at suitable heights for disabled people. 7 In Part V (Glazing) the scope has been extended to reflect the requirements of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (NI) 1993. The main changes are new requirements to reduce the risk of people injuring themselves when they are opening or closing windows and when cleaning windows or glazed surfaces (regulations V4 and V5). Other minor and consequential amendments have been made including the necessary changes to take account of amendments to DOE (NI) Technical Booklets and revised editions of Technical Booklets, British Standards and other publications. A regulatory impact assessment has been carried out in respect of the change of format introduced by these Regulations and the principal changes from the 1994 Regulations. The Regulatory Impact Assessment publication can be obtained from— The Department of Finance and Personnel, Accommodation and Construction Division, River House, 48 High Street, Belfast BT1 2AW. The publications referred to in these Regulations may be purchased from the following sources— a British Standards and British Standard Codes of Practice from the Sales Department, British Standards Institution, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6LE; b The Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings: 1998 edition, from the Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford WD2 7JR; c Radon: guidance on protective measures for new dwellings in Northern Ireland from Construction Research Communications Ltd, PO Box 202, Bucknalls Lane, Garston, Watford, WD2 7QG; d CIBSE Guides from CIBSE Publications Department, Delta House, 222 Balham High Road, London SW12 9BS; and e all other publications from branches of The Stationery Office. If any works to which these Regulations apply contravene these Regulations, the district council in whose areas those works are being or have been done may by notice served on the owner under Article 18(1) of the Order require him to pull down or remove those works, or, if he so elects and the council so agrees, to effect such alterations or additions therein as are necessary to make the works comply with the requirements of these Regulations. Any person who contravenes any provisions contained in these Regulations or a notice under Article 18(1) of the Order is guilty of an offence under the Order and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale of fines and penalties (presently £2,000) and to a further fine not exceeding £50 for each day during which the offence continues after conviction therefor. INDEX TO SUBJECTS

(This index is not part of the Regulations)
Abbreviations
list ofA2
Access for disabled people
regulations regardingPart R
Access for cleaning glazing
regulations regardingV5, V6
Agriculture
buildings – exemptionSchedule 1
definition ofA2
Air supply for combustion
regulations regardingL2, L6
Alterations and extensions
application of regulations toA7
definition (see Building work) notices ofA10, A11
transitional provisionsA4
Appeals
procedureA18
(see also Dispensation or relaxation)
Artificial lighting systems
regulations regardingF3, F5
Assembly building
definition ofE1
Audience or spectator seating
regulations regardingR4, R5
Balcony
definition ofH1
guarding ofH4, H8
open accessPart G
Bath
provision ofP2
Boundary
definition ofA2
British Standards
as deemed-to-satisfy provisionSchedule 5
list ofSchedule 6
references toA2
Builder
definition ofA11
Building notice
regulations regardingA10,
Schedule 2
Building work
definition ofA2
exemptionsA5
notices and plansA10
(see also Provision of a service or fitting)
Carport
(see Garage)
Cesspools
regulation regardingN6
Change of use
(see Material change of use)
Chimney
definition ofL1
regulations regardingPart L
Chutes
refuse disposalPart J
Clean Air Order
reference toL3
Collapse
(see Disproportionate collapse)
Completion Certificate
regulation regardingA13
Concrete
notice ofA11, Schedule 2
Condensation
regulations regardingC5, C6
Conservation of fuel and power
regulations regardingPart F
Conservatory
definition ofA2
exemption from
regulationSchedule 1
Construction Products Directive
definition ofA2
Damp-proof course
notice ofA11, Schedule 2
Dangerous and harmful substances
definition ofC1
regulation regardingC2
(see also Harmful substances)
Deemed-to-satisfy provisions
interpretationA3
Disabled people
access and facilities forPart R
definition ofR1
Dispensation or relaxation
application forA17
exercise of powerA16
(see also Appeals)
Disproportionate collapse
regulations regardingD2, D3
District council
definition ofA2
giving of notices and plans toA10, A11, Schedule 2
Drain
definition ofA2
notices and plansA10, A11
testingA14
Drainage
generallyPart N
notices and plansSchedule 2
subsoilC3
Ducts
definition ofF1
thermal insulation ofF4, F5
Dwelling
definition ofA2
Dwellinghouse
definition ofE1
Educational building
definition ofA2
Entrance storey
definition ofR1
Erection of a building
application of regulations toA6
definition ofA2
giving of notices and plansA10, Schedule 2
European Technical Approval
definition ofA2
Exempted building
definition ofA2
regulation regardingA5
Extensions and alterations
application of regulations toA7
definition ofA2
notices and plansA10,
Schedule 2
External fire spread
regulations regardingE5, E7
Facilities for disabled people
regulations regardingPart R
Facilities for the Fire Brigade
regulations regardingE6, E7
Fire safety
regulations regardingPart E
Fireplace recesses
regulations regardingL2, L6
Flat
definition ofE1
(see also Dwelling)
Flight (stair)
definition ofH1
regulations regardingPart H
Floor area
definition ofA2
Flue
definition ofL1
regulations regardingL2, L6
Flue pipe
definition ofL1
regulations regardingL2, L6
Foul water
definition ofN1
(see Drainage)
Foundations
notice ofA11
Gallery
(see Balcony)
Garage
definition ofA2
Gas (LPG) installations
regulations regardingPart L
Glazing
regulations regardingPart V
Greenhouse
exemption from
regulationsSchedule 1
Ground moisture
resistance toC4, C6
Guarding
stair, ramp, balcony, etcH4, H8
Habitable room
definition ofA2
Harmful substances
regulations regardingB1, B2
(see Dangerous and harmful substances)
Harmonised standard
definition ofA2
Hearths
regulations regardingL2, L6
Heating controls
regulations regardingF3, F5
Heating system
(see Space heating system)
Heat-producing appliances
regulations regardingL2, L6
Hoppers
(see Waste chute system)
Impact with glazing
regulations regardingV2, V6
Incinerators
regulation regardingL2
Insulation
regulations regarding soundPart G
regulations regarding thermalPart F
Internal linings
definition ofE1
Internal fire spread – Linings
regulations regardingE3, E7
Internal fire spread – Structure
regulations regardingE4, E7
Key element
Table D
Kitchen purposes
definition ofA2
Ladder
definition ofH1
Landing
definition ofH1
guarding ofH4, H8
regulations regardingH3, H4, H8
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
definition ofL1
regulations regardingPart L
Loading
dead, imposed and windD1, Schedule 4
Macerators
regulations regardingP2, P3
Maisonette
definition ofE1
(see also Dwelling)
Material change of use
application of regulations toA9
definition ofA2
notices and plansA10, Schedule 2
Materials
interpretationB1
fitness ofB2, B6
periodic maintenanceB3
sampling ofA15
suitability of certainB3
Means of escape in case of fire
provision ofE2, E7
Moisture
(see Ground moisture)
Notices
commencement and completion of certain stages of workA11
giving ofA10, A11, Schedule 2
Open access balcony
(see Balcony)
Opening and closing of windows
regulations regardingV4, V6
Partially exempted building
(see Exemptions)
Pipes
thermal insulation ofF4, F5
Plans
deposit ofA10, Schedule 2
Porch
definition ofA2
exemption from regulationsSchedule 1
Preparation of site
regulation regardingC2
Preservative treatment of timber
regulations regardingB5, B6
Prevention of smoke emission
regulation regardingL3
Principal entrance
definition ofR1
Principal storey
definition ofR1
Private sewer
definition ofA2
notices and plansA11
testing ofA14
Protection against impact
regulations regardingH6, H8
Protection from collision
regulations regardingH7, H8
Provision of a service or fitting
application of regulations toA8
definition ofA2
Public building
definition ofA2
Publications
reference to otherA2, Schedule 6
Radon
regulations regardingC2, C6
mapSchedule 3
Rain-water drainage
definition ofN1
regulations regardingN5, N7
Ramp
definition ofH1
guarding toH4, H8
regulations regardingH3, H8
Recycled materials
(see Materials)
Refuse disposal
regulations regardingPart J
Regularisation certificate
definition ofA2
regulation regardingA12
Relaxation or dispensation
application forA17
exercise of powerA16
(see also Appeals)
Relevant work
definition ofB1
regulation regardingB2
Residential health care building
definition ofE1
Revocations
list ofA19
Sampling of materials
regulation regardingA15
Sanitary accommodation
definition ofP1
provision for the disabledR3, R5
ventilationK2, K4
Sanitary appliance
definition ofP1
regulations regardingP2, P3
Sanitary convenience
definition ofR1
regulations regardingR3, R5
Sanitary pipework
regulations regardingN3, N7
SAP energy rating
definition ofA2
Separating floor
definition ofG1
sound insulation ofG2, G3, G4
Separating wall
definition ofG1
sound insulation ofG2, G3, G4
Septic tanks
regulations regardingA2, N6
Sewer
definition ofA2
Shop
definition ofA2
Shopping complex
definition ofE1
Shower
provision ofP2
Single storey building
definition ofA2
Site
definition ofA2
preparation ofPart C
Smoke
prevention of emissionL3
Solid waste in buildings
regulations regardingPart J
Sound insulation
regulations regardingPart G
Spectator accommodation
definition ofE1
facilities for disabled peopleR4
Space heating system
appliances, flues etcPart L
energy conservationPart F
Stability
regulations regardingD1, D3
Stairs
definition ofH1
guardingH4, H8
provision ofH2
regulations regardingH3, H4, H8
Statutory provision
definition ofA2
Statutory undertaking
definition ofA2
exemptionA5
Storage vessels
thermal insulation ofF4, F5
Structure
disproportionate collapseD2, D3
loadingD1, Schedule 4
stabilityD1, D3
internal fire spreadE4, E7
Structural alteration
definition ofA2
Subsoil drainage
regulation regardingC3
Substantive requirements
definition ofA2
Symbols
list ofA2
Testing
drains and private sewersA14
technical competenceA2
Thermal insulation
of buildingsF2, F5
of pipes, ducts, and
storage vesselsF4, F5
Transitional provisions
regulation regardingA4
Transparent glazing
regulations regardingV3, V6
Under former control
definition ofA2
Underground foul drainage
definition ofN1
regulations regardingN4, N7
Unvented hot water systems
regulations regardingP5, P6
Urea formaldehyde foam
regulations regardingB4, B6
Urinal
definition ofP1
regulation regardingP3
Vehicle barriers
regulations regardingH4, H8
Vehicle loading bay
regulations regardingH5, H8
Ventilation
regulations regardingPart K
waste chuteJ3, J4
drainage systemPart N
Wall
external fire spreadE5, E7
moisture resistancePart C
sound insulation ofPart G
thermal insulation ofPart F
Wash-hand basin
provision ofP2
Waste chute
regulations regardingJ3, J4
Waste storage
regulations regardingJ2, J4
Water closet
definition ofP1
provision ofP2
Weather resistance
regulations regardingC4, C6
Work
relevant work-meaning ofB1
transitional provisionsA4
Workmanship
fitness ofB2, B6
Work of public utility
definition ofA2