{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/building-regulations-northern-ireland-2000/note",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/building-regulations-northern-ireland-2000/note.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/2000/389",
  "legislation_title": "Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/building-regulations-northern-ireland-2000",
  "path": "note",
  "kind": "note",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Explanatory note",
  "text": "(This note is not part of the Regulations.)\nThese 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—\n(a) the construction of any building and to certain services and fittings in conjunction with any building;\n(b) the structural alteration or extension of any building; and\n(c) any building undergoing a material change of use.\nThey 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.\nAs 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.\nMost 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—\n(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\n(b) any products designed and manufactured in accordance with—\n(i) any national technical specification of a state within the European Economic Area;\n(ii) any relevant international standard recognised for use within such a state;\n(iii) any appropriate traditional procedures of manufacture used within such a state; and\n(iv) any European Technical Approvals issued in accordance with Directive 89/106/EEC,\nwhich 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.\nThese provisions do not preclude use of other methods or materials which will satisfy the functional requirements (regulation A3).\nThese Regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC.\nThese 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.\nApart from the change of format, the principal changes from the 1994 Regulations are—\n1 In Part B (Materials and workmanship) the definition of materials has been expanded to encourage the consideration of environmental aspects.\n2 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.\n3 In Part E (Fire safety) the deemed-to-satisfy references for means of escape (regulation E2) have been updated.\n4 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—\n(a) the introduction of new requirements for areas used for maintenance and vehicle loading bays (regulation H5); and\n(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).\n5 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).\n6 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—\n(a) means of access suitable for disabled people to dwellings and to the common entrances of blocks of flats;\n(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);\n(c) wc facilities for disabled people on the entrance storey of dwellings (or the principal storey);\n(d) suitable facilities for disabled people in lifts where they are provided in blocks of flats; and\n(e) switches and socket outlets to be located at suitable heights for disabled people.\n7 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).\nOther 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.\nA 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—\nThe Department of Finance and Personnel, Accommodation and Construction Division, River House, 48 High Street, Belfast BT1 2AW.\nThe publications referred to in these Regulations may be purchased from the following sources—\n(a) British Standards and British Standard Codes of Practice from the Sales Department, British Standards Institution, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6LE;\n(b) The Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings: 1998 edition, from the Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford WD2 7JR;\n(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;\n(d) CIBSE Guides from CIBSE Publications Department, Delta House, 222 Balham High Road, London SW12 9BS; and\n(e) all other publications from branches of The Stationery Office.\nIf 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.\nAny 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.\nINDEX TO SUBJECTS\n(This index is not part of the Regulations)\nAbbreviations\nlist of\nA2\nAccess for disabled people\nregulations regarding\nPart R\nAccess for cleaning glazing\nregulations regarding\nV5, V6\nAgriculture\nbuildings – exemption\nSchedule 1\ndefinition of\nA2\nAir supply for combustion\nregulations regarding\nL2, L6\nAlterations and extensions\napplication of regulations to\nA7\ndefinition (see Building work) notices of\nA10, A11\ntransitional provisions\nA4\nAppeals\nprocedure\nA18\n(see also Dispensation or relaxation)\nArtificial lighting systems\nregulations regarding\nF3, F5\nAssembly building\ndefinition of\nE1\nAudience or spectator seating\nregulations regarding\nR4, R5\nBalcony\ndefinition of\nH1\nguarding of\nH4, H8\nopen access\nPart G\nBath\nprovision of\nP2\nBoundary\ndefinition of\nA2\nBritish Standards\nas deemed-to-satisfy provision\nSchedule 5\nlist of\nSchedule 6\nreferences to\nA2\nBuilder\ndefinition of\nA11\nBuilding notice\nregulations regarding\nA10,\nSchedule 2\nBuilding work\ndefinition of\nA2\nexemptions\nA5\nnotices and plans\nA10\n(see also Provision of a service or fitting)\nCarport\n(see Garage)\nCesspools\nregulation regarding\nN6\nChange of use\n(see Material change of use)\nChimney\ndefinition of\nL1\nregulations regarding\nPart L\nChutes\nrefuse disposal\nPart J\nClean Air Order\nreference to\nL3\nCollapse\n(see Disproportionate collapse)\nCompletion Certificate\nregulation regarding\nA13\nConcrete\nnotice of\nA11, Schedule 2\nCondensation\nregulations regarding\nC5, C6\nConservation of fuel and power\nregulations regarding\nPart F\nConservatory\ndefinition of\nA2\nexemption from\nregulation\nSchedule 1\nConstruction Products Directive\ndefinition of\nA2\nDamp-proof course\nnotice of\nA11, Schedule 2\nDangerous and harmful substances\ndefinition of\nC1\nregulation regarding\nC2\n(see also Harmful substances)\nDeemed-to-satisfy provisions\ninterpretation\nA3\nDisabled people\naccess and facilities for\nPart R\ndefinition of\nR1\nDispensation or relaxation\napplication for\nA17\nexercise of power\nA16\n(see also Appeals)\nDisproportionate collapse\nregulations regarding\nD2, D3\nDistrict council\ndefinition of\nA2\ngiving of notices and plans to\nA10, A11, Schedule 2\nDrain\ndefinition of\nA2\nnotices and plans\nA10, A11\ntesting\nA14\nDrainage\ngenerally\nPart N\nnotices and plans\nSchedule 2\nsubsoil\nC3\nDucts\ndefinition of\nF1\nthermal insulation of\nF4, F5\nDwelling\ndefinition of\nA2\nDwellinghouse\ndefinition of\nE1\nEducational building\ndefinition of\nA2\nEntrance storey\ndefinition of\nR1\nErection of a building\napplication of regulations to\nA6\ndefinition of\nA2\ngiving of notices and plans\nA10, Schedule 2\nEuropean Technical Approval\ndefinition of\nA2\nExempted building\ndefinition of\nA2\nregulation regarding\nA5\nExtensions and alterations\napplication of regulations to\nA7\ndefinition of\nA2\nnotices and plans\nA10,\nSchedule 2\nExternal fire spread\nregulations regarding\nE5, E7\nFacilities for disabled people\nregulations regarding\nPart R\nFacilities for the Fire Brigade\nregulations regarding\nE6, E7\nFire safety\nregulations regarding\nPart E\nFireplace recesses\nregulations regarding\nL2, L6\nFlat\ndefinition of\nE1\n(see also Dwelling)\nFlight (stair)\ndefinition of\nH1\nregulations regarding\nPart H\nFloor area\ndefinition of\nA2\nFlue\ndefinition of\nL1\nregulations regarding\nL2, L6\nFlue pipe\ndefinition of\nL1\nregulations regarding\nL2, L6\nFoul water\ndefinition of\nN1\n(see Drainage)\nFoundations\nnotice of\nA11\nGallery\n(see Balcony)\nGarage\ndefinition of\nA2\nGas (LPG) installations\nregulations regarding\nPart L\nGlazing\nregulations regarding\nPart V\nGreenhouse\nexemption from\nregulations\nSchedule 1\nGround moisture\nresistance to\nC4, C6\nGuarding\nstair, ramp, balcony, etc\nH4, H8\nHabitable room\ndefinition of\nA2\nHarmful substances\nregulations regarding\nB1, B2\n(see Dangerous and harmful substances)\nHarmonised standard\ndefinition of\nA2\nHearths\nregulations regarding\nL2, L6\nHeating controls\nregulations regarding\nF3, F5\nHeating system\n(see Space heating system)\nHeat-producing appliances\nregulations regarding\nL2, L6\nHoppers\n(see Waste chute system)\nImpact with glazing\nregulations regarding\nV2, V6\nIncinerators\nregulation regarding\nL2\nInsulation\nregulations regarding sound\nPart G\nregulations regarding thermal\nPart F\nInternal linings\ndefinition of\nE1\nInternal fire spread – Linings\nregulations regarding\nE3, E7\nInternal fire spread – Structure\nregulations regarding\nE4, E7\nKey element\nTable D\nKitchen purposes\ndefinition of\nA2\nLadder\ndefinition of\nH1\nLanding\ndefinition of\nH1\nguarding of\nH4, H8\nregulations regarding\nH3, H4, H8\nLiquefied petroleum gas (LPG)\ndefinition of\nL1\nregulations regarding\nPart L\nLoading\ndead, imposed and wind\nD1, Schedule 4\nMacerators\nregulations regarding\nP2, P3\nMaisonette\ndefinition of\nE1\n(see also Dwelling)\nMaterial change of use\napplication of regulations to\nA9\ndefinition of\nA2\nnotices and plans\nA10, Schedule 2\nMaterials\ninterpretation\nB1\nfitness of\nB2, B6\nperiodic maintenance\nB3\nsampling of\nA15\nsuitability of certain\nB3\nMeans of escape in case of fire\nprovision of\nE2, E7\nMoisture\n(see Ground moisture)\nNotices\ncommencement and completion of certain stages of work\nA11\ngiving of\nA10, A11, Schedule 2\nOpen access balcony\n(see Balcony)\nOpening and closing of windows\nregulations regarding\nV4, V6\nPartially exempted building\n(see Exemptions)\nPipes\nthermal insulation of\nF4, F5\nPlans\ndeposit of\nA10, Schedule 2\nPorch\ndefinition of\nA2\nexemption from regulations\nSchedule 1\nPreparation of site\nregulation regarding\nC2\nPreservative treatment of timber\nregulations regarding\nB5, B6\nPrevention of smoke emission\nregulation regarding\nL3\nPrincipal entrance\ndefinition of\nR1\nPrincipal storey\ndefinition of\nR1\nPrivate sewer\ndefinition of\nA2\nnotices and plans\nA11\ntesting of\nA14\nProtection against impact\nregulations regarding\nH6, H8\nProtection from collision\nregulations regarding\nH7, H8\nProvision of a service or fitting\napplication of regulations to\nA8\ndefinition of\nA2\nPublic building\ndefinition of\nA2\nPublications\nreference to other\nA2, Schedule 6\nRadon\nregulations regarding\nC2, C6\nmap\nSchedule 3\nRain-water drainage\ndefinition of\nN1\nregulations regarding\nN5, N7\nRamp\ndefinition of\nH1\nguarding to\nH4, H8\nregulations regarding\nH3, H8\nRecycled materials\n(see Materials)\nRefuse disposal\nregulations regarding\nPart J\nRegularisation certificate\ndefinition of\nA2\nregulation regarding\nA12\nRelaxation or dispensation\napplication for\nA17\nexercise of power\nA16\n(see also Appeals)\nRelevant work\ndefinition of\nB1\nregulation regarding\nB2\nResidential health care building\ndefinition of\nE1\nRevocations\nlist of\nA19\nSampling of materials\nregulation regarding\nA15\nSanitary accommodation\ndefinition of\nP1\nprovision for the disabled\nR3, R5\nventilation\nK2, K4\nSanitary appliance\ndefinition of\nP1\nregulations regarding\nP2, P3\nSanitary convenience\ndefinition of\nR1\nregulations regarding\nR3, R5\nSanitary pipework\nregulations regarding\nN3, N7\nSAP energy rating\ndefinition of\nA2\nSeparating floor\ndefinition of\nG1\nsound insulation of\nG2, G3, G4\nSeparating wall\ndefinition of\nG1\nsound insulation of\nG2, G3, G4\nSeptic tanks\nregulations regarding\nA2, N6\nSewer\ndefinition of\nA2\nShop\ndefinition of\nA2\nShopping complex\ndefinition of\nE1\nShower\nprovision of\nP2\nSingle storey building\ndefinition of\nA2\nSite\ndefinition of\nA2\npreparation of\nPart C\nSmoke\nprevention of emission\nL3\nSolid waste in buildings\nregulations regarding\nPart J\nSound insulation\nregulations regarding\nPart G\nSpectator accommodation\ndefinition of\nE1\nfacilities for disabled people\nR4\nSpace heating system\nappliances, flues etc\nPart L\nenergy conservation\nPart F\nStability\nregulations regarding\nD1, D3\nStairs\ndefinition of\nH1\nguarding\nH4, H8\nprovision of\nH2\nregulations regarding\nH3, H4, H8\nStatutory provision\ndefinition of\nA2\nStatutory undertaking\ndefinition of\nA2\nexemption\nA5\nStorage vessels\nthermal insulation of\nF4, F5\nStructure\ndisproportionate collapse\nD2, D3\nloading\nD1, Schedule 4\nstability\nD1, D3\ninternal fire spread\nE4, E7\nStructural alteration\ndefinition of\nA2\nSubsoil drainage\nregulation regarding\nC3\nSubstantive requirements\ndefinition of\nA2\nSymbols\nlist of\nA2\nTesting\ndrains and private sewers\nA14\ntechnical competence\nA2\nThermal insulation\nof buildings\nF2, F5\nof pipes, ducts, and\nstorage vessels\nF4, F5\nTransitional provisions\nregulation regarding\nA4\nTransparent glazing\nregulations regarding\nV3, V6\nUnder former control\ndefinition of\nA2\nUnderground foul drainage\ndefinition of\nN1\nregulations regarding\nN4, N7\nUnvented hot water systems\nregulations regarding\nP5, P6\nUrea formaldehyde foam\nregulations regarding\nB4, B6\nUrinal\ndefinition of\nP1\nregulation regarding\nP3\nVehicle barriers\nregulations regarding\nH4, H8\nVehicle loading bay\nregulations regarding\nH5, H8\nVentilation\nregulations regarding\nPart K\nwaste chute\nJ3, J4\ndrainage system\nPart N\nWall\nexternal fire spread\nE5, E7\nmoisture resistance\nPart C\nsound insulation of\nPart G\nthermal insulation of\nPart F\nWash-hand basin\nprovision of\nP2\nWaste chute\nregulations regarding\nJ3, J4\nWaste storage\nregulations regarding\nJ2, J4\nWater closet\ndefinition of\nP1\nprovision of\nP2\nWeather resistance\nregulations regarding\nC4, C6\nWork\nrelevant work-meaning of\nB1\ntransitional provisions\nA4\nWorkmanship\nfitness of\nB2, B6\nWork of public utility\ndefinition of\nA2",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2000/389/note",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T02:13:38.985369+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}