(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (as amended) (the principal Regulations) and they come into operation on 6th May 2025. They do not apply to building work which has been completed, or for which plans or building notices have been deposited with a district council before that date. These Regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 2015/1535/EU.
These Regulations amend the principal Regulations as follows—
Regulation 5 amends the Table to Regulation 8 (Application to material change of use) and the Notes to Table to Regulation 8 in Part A (Interpretation and general) to demonstrate for each Case whether the new requirements in Regulation 37A and Regulation 37B applies. This amendment has added three new notes, note 4, note 5 and note 6, with renumbering of other notes.
Regulation 6 amends Part E (Fire safety):
1. Regulation 32 has been replaced and includes the following:
(i)Regulation 32(2) applies Regulation 37B (Automatic fire suppression systems) when a building as prescribed in 37B(2), is erected or formed by a material change of use. It also limits the application to alterations and/or extensions, so that it only applies where regulation 37B has been applied to the building;
(ii)Regulation 32(3) inserts new definitions in Part E.
2. Regulation 37A has been added and requires, for relevant premises and buildings containing one or more flats, the provision of adequate fire safety information not later than the date of completion of the work or the date of occupation of the building whichever is earlier.
3. Regulation 37B has been added so buildings, as prescribed in 37B(2), are designed and constructed with a suitable automatic fire suppression system.
The Department of Finance has prepared an Amendments Booklet (AMD 9) giving guidance for the purposes of the Part E requirements. Copies of AMD 9 and the Regulatory Impact Assessments may be downloaded from www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/building-regulations-and-energy-efficiency-buildings.