Written answers
Wednesday, 8 November 2006
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Building Regulations
9:00 pm
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to terminate the use of nine inch hollow blocks in residential construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36487/06]
Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Building Regulations lay down performance-based standards, and do not either mandate or prohibit the use of specific construction products or systems. Various competing products or systems demonstrating compliance with the regulations may lawfully be used; and the choice is left to the designers, builders and the market.
The broadly based Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB) commissioned an independent report by the Energy Research Group UCD to examine the impact of proposed higher thermal performance standards under Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations on commonly used forms of house building — single leaf (hollow concrete block), twin leaf (solid concrete block), and timber frame.
The Energy Research Group Report was published in November 2000 and concluded that 9" hollow blocks could be insulated to comply with the proposed higher thermal insulation standards. Following a public consultation process, the relevant amending Part L Regulations were made in 2002.
The Part L energy performance standards for the construction and reconstruction of buildings have been progressively increased since they were first introduced in 1992 — in 1998, in 2003 (dwellings) and 2006 (non-domestic buildings). The next revision of the Part L standards for dwellings will take place no later than 2008.
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