Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland
Commencement: 13th March 2020
Amends: Building Regulations 1997 (SI 497/1997) as amended
The Building Regulations 1997 (SI 497/1997) set out the requirements to be observed in the design and construction of new buildings and the extension, refurbishment and change of use of certain buildings.
In order to relieve regulatory restrictions that could hinder the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, changes are made to the requirements regarding construction and alteration of buildings used in response to the situation.
Part L of Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations 1997 which requires buildings to be designed and constructed in a way to conserve fuel and energy as far as is practicable does not apply to the following where they are carried out by or on behalf of a State authority:
- the construction, extension, alteration, repair, or renewal of a building class given below; or
- a material change of use to the use of a building of a class given below.
The classes of buildings this applies to are:
- Acute and other health and social care accommodation.
- Self-isolation short stay accommodation.
- COVID-19 and other step down accommodation (i.e. accommodation used for people discharged from hospital that still require care).
- Medical testing centre or laboratory.
- Emergency management coordination facilities.
- Mortuary facilities.
- Ancillary buildings and other accommodation, including storage facilities.
This applies between 13th March 2020 and until 9th November 2020, unless otherwise amended.
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