Brief History of Building Control

The catalyst to the Building Regulations goes back as far as 1666 when the Great Fire of London happened. The rapid growth through adjoining buildings resulted in the first publication of ‘Building Construction Legislation in 1667’ requiring all buildings to have some sort of fire resistance.

200 years later the Industrial Revolution had created poor living and working conditions in every expanding, densely populated urban areas. Outbreaks of cholera and other diseases through poor sanitation, damp conditions, lack of ventilation forced government to take effective action  and Building Control took on a great role of ensuring Health, Safety and Welfare through the first ‘Public Health Act of 1875’.

This Act had 2 major revisions in 1936 and 1961 leading to the first set of national building standards, ‘The Building Regulations 1965’ in England and N.I. Followed with their first publication ‘The Building Regulations (NI) 1973’.  Over the years these regulations have been amended and updated with changes in construction methods and new materials being introduced to the industry.

The Minister of Finance (Northern Ireland) set up a committee in 1967 to report on the control of building in Northern Ireland; In view of the recent introduction of new building regulations in England, Wales and Scotland and to submit its recommendations on the changes considered necessary to revise building standards and control within the local authorities districts.  The Committee recommended that the Building Regulations already in use in England should, with some modifications, be adopted for use throughout Northern Ireland.  This recommendation, which was accepted by the Minister, was passed by the Northern Ireland Parliament in the form of a statutory instrument known as ‘The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 No 1996 (NI19). 

The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 is the primary legislation for building regulations in Northern Ireland.

It came into operation in January 1980, and was amended in 1990 by the Planning & Building Regulations (Amendment) (NI) Order 1990.

The 1979 Order sets out the powers, duties, responsibilities and rights granted to the Department, district councils and applicants.

It establishes various rights of appeal for applicants, and creates a number of offences for non-compliance with the requirements of the Regulations.

The Order granted the Ministry of Finance for Northern Ireland authority to make building regulations in conjunction with a Building Regulations Advisory Committee  www.dfpni.gov.uk/index/buildings-energy-efficiency-buildings/building-regulations/nibrac.htm and provided for the enforcement of building regulations by Borough/District councils in accordance with the Order.  These regulations were first introduced into Northern Ireland on 1st October 1973 and have been amended, revised and added to ever since.

Copies of the 1979 Order may be purchased from The Stationery Office or it may be viewed (as amended) online on the Statute Law Database.

The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (as amended) :  These regulations impose certain mandatory requirements in relation to the construction, alteration or extension of a building and certain services and fittings.

The Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997:  These regulations allow district councils to charge fees for certain functions related to building control, and set the levels of fees that may be charged.

In Northern Ireland the current Regulations are ‘The Building Regulations (N.I.) 2000’. These Regulations are supported by 14 technical booklets that provides technical assistance and guidance in detailing how compliance is achieved. The technical booklets are deemed to satisfy documents this means if there are alternative methods that can prove compliance example European or British Standards then these can also be acceptable and there is no obligation to adopt the methods used in the technical booklets.
www.dfpni.gov.uk/index/buildings-energy-efficiency-buildings/building-regulations/br-technical-booklets.htm

Traditionally Building Control Officers in the construction industry are regarded as the equivalent to traffic wardens and police officers.

People  agree that  Building.Control.Officers are necessary to ensure buildings are designed and constructed to a standard that will not compromise the health, safety and well-being of those using or working in and around them but difference in opinions can cause disharmony.

However all to often Building.Control.Officers are seen as hurdles or obstacles that must be challenged before a proposed project is approved.
This is a negative view,  Building.Control.Officers should be seen as an useful aid and source to help assist in designing a safe and usable building.