Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks
John O’Connor, Chair, Housing Commission
Building Control Regulation & Legislative Developments
Speaker: Mairead Phelan, Head of the National Building Control Office
- Updates from the Building Standards Regulator, operational in 2025
- Revised definitions under Article 5 and their impact on building classification
- Recent changes to the Construction Products Regulation (EU alignment)
- Strengthening enforcement: Section 11 inspections and formal follow-up procedures
- Clarifying the legal status of opt-out projects and assigned certifier responsibilities
Fire Safety & Compliance: Revised Part B Regulations
Speaker: Eanna O Tuama, Associate & Dublin Branch Manager, Affinity Fire Engineering
- Full overview of the Part B (Amendment) Regulations 2023, now in effect
- Article 5 and 13 amendments: implications for Fire Safety Certificate applications
- New Second Schedule entries B1–B5 and introduction of B12 (Provision of Information)
- Interactions between fire-rated elements and new accessibility requirements
- Fire performance in both new and existing buildings, including change of use scenarios
Acoustic Performance & Part E in Practice
Speaker: Diarmuid Keaney, Noise and Vibration Consultant, ICAN Acoustics
- Meeting mandatory sound insulation levels in both new and refurbished buildings
- Acoustic risk factors in apartment developments and “Bringing Back Homes” projects
- Addressing compliance during wall chasing and retrofitting
- Testing standards and legal exposure for underperforming constructions
Sustainability Compliance: Part L & Embodied Carbon Integration
- 2025 update: Embodied carbon metrics integrated into DEAP and BER processes
- Public sector mandates: minimum 30% GGBS in concrete; low-carbon material sourcing
- Energy performance of buildings in major renovations
- New transitional guidance for NZEB and domestic retrofits
Ventilation & Airtightness: New Directions in Part F
Speaker: Simon Jones, AMIEnvSc, AMIAQM, WELL AP, Fitwel, Air Quality Matters
- Draft 2025 Technical Guidance Document F: what’s coming for commercial and residential
- MVHR system design in A2+ dwellings – balancing energy and air quality
- Addressing extract fan performance, duct length losses, and compliance testing
- Where trickle vents still apply – or no longer suffice
Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Part M and K Updates
- Requirements for Changing Places Toilets in multi-level public buildings
- Revised guidance on ambulant cubicles vs enlarged WCs
- Clarifying overlaps between TGD M (2022) and updated Part B (fire)
- Circulation clearances, tactile interfaces, and conflicts with IWA guidance
Ground Conditions & Contaminants: Implementing Part C
- Radon risk mapping: updated EPA tools and integration with BCMS
- Gas protection measures for VOCs, CH₄, and CO₂ in contaminated sites
- Certification, Agrement requirements, and quality assurance protocols
- Slab design, membrane installation, and verification testing options
Certification, Coordination & Liability in a Regulated Environment
Speaker: Peter McKay, Associate Director, Assigned Certifier, BB7
- Clarifying the distinct responsibilities of Assigned Certifiers, Ancillary Certifiers, and Designers
- Design Responsibility Matrix (DRM): a best practice tool for accountability
- Guidance on the validity, renewal, and liability tied to Certificates of Compliance
- PI insurance considerations in 2025: common gaps and coverage expectations
