Ireland

In Ireland, the design and construction of buildings is regulated under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, in order to ensure the safety of people within the built environment.

The building regulations apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building.  The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the second schedule to the building regulations.  These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M).

Technical Guidance Documents are published to accompany each part of the Building Regulations indicating how the requirements of that part can be achieved in practice. Adopting the approach outlined in a Technical Guidance Document is regarded as evidence of compliance with the requirements of the relevant part of the Building Regulations.

The Technical Guidance documents are listed below and can be accessed here.

Technical Guidance Document A – Structure
Technical Guidance Document B - Fire Safety
Technical Guidance Document B - Fire Safety 2017 Volume 2 Dwelling Houses
Technical Guidance Document C - Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture
Technical Guidance Document D - Materials and Workmanship
Technical Guidance Document E – Sound
Technical Guidance Document F – Ventilation
Technical Guidance Document G – Hygiene
Technical Guidance Document H - Drainage and Waste Water Disposal
Technical Guidance Document J - Heat Producing Appliances
Technical Guidance Document K - Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards
Technical Guidance Document L - Conservation of Fuel and Energy - Dwellings
Technical Guidance Document L - Conservation of Fuel and Energy- Buildings other than Dwellings
Technical Guidance Document M - Access and Use