Building Regulations for Northern Ireland

The 'Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, part F, Conservation of fuel and power', deals with energy conservation requirements in Northern Ireland.  This was amended in August 2006 by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFPNI) and came into operation on 30th November 2006 as The Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.

Technical booklet F1 is broadly similar to the 'Approved Document Part L in England and Wales'. It uses a carbon dioxide emissions target which must be achieved by the dwelling as designed and built. For dwellings these calculations will be performed using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) 2005.

The main elements of the amendment are to introduce a 'Whole Building Approach' based on the calculated energy performance of buildings using defined national calculation methodologies; set energy performance requirements that achieve a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 30% on previous standards; Encourage and facilitate the inclusion of Low or Zero Carbon Energy Sources in all new buildings where this is technically, environmentally and economically feasible; Require the upgrading of energy performance in large existing buildings (over 1000m2) undergoing major refurbishment; and Require the production and display of an Energy Rating Notice (ERN) for all new dwellings.

Additional amendments of Technical Booklet F1 are likely in 2011 and 2016 to raise energy performance standards even further and in keeping with the EPBD.

How might this affect me?
Installers and builders
Architects and developers
Housing associations and local authorities