Tag Archives: building regulations

TIGHTER regulation of building materials and processes must be introduced so that Clare’s pyrite scandal is never repeated.  Making the keynote address at a major conference on the impact of defective concrete blocks, Deputy Eoin Ó Broin said that those responsible for the pyrite and mica issues must be held accountable. The Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing is also the author of major study of building regulation in Ireland. “This is not simply about apportioning blame,” he told the ‘Losing Your Home’ conference, hosted by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). “It is important to understand who is responsible in order to cover costs and to ensure that families and homeowners get support. We also need to fix the system to make sure this never happens again. We have to use this opportunity to fix the mistakes of the past because no-one else should suffer.” The author of Defects – Living with the Legacy of the Celtic Tiger, said …

THE Minister for Housing took the opportunity, while visiting Clare, to reaffirm his commitment to pursuing those responsible for supplying defective building materials. At the home of Mary and Séamus Hanley in Drumline, several members of the Clare Pyrite Action Committee were present to hear what Minister Darragh O’Brien had to say. In the garden of the retired couple’s home, some members of the action group took the opportunity to question the minister directly. “The main culprits in all of this, of course, are the manufacturers of the blocks,” one Newmarket-on-Fergus man told the minister. “These are some of the biggest companies in Ireland, making massive profits. The Taoiseach made a statement a couple of weeks ago that he is going to speak to the Attorney General in relation to going after these companies, can you give us an update on that please?” In response, the minister said: “I made that statement too. Because if you look at the legislation …

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is urging householders to review the building regulations relating to heat producing appliances to ensure stoves and flues are installed correctly. The rising popularity of stoves in recent years has led to an increase in emergency callouts to stove-related domestic fires and incidences of carbon monoxide build-up in the home, according to the fire service. Adrian Kelly, Clare chief fire officer, said, “Fires can occasionally be due to the poor installation of stoves and flues. Some of these fires have caused substantial damage to the surrounding building and consequently, have put lives at risk. “Stoves burn at very high temperatures and therefore, the appliance and the flues need to be installed correctly. They should be clearly spaced from any timber or combustible materials. Insulated flues that pass through ceilings and walls need to be spaced and/or encased correctly.” Current guidance advises that when a new heating stove is installed, carbon Monoxide detectors should be …

New regulations, which will come into effect from September 1, will ease regulations on building single dwelling houses and extensions. The Minister for Housing, Paudie Coffey has decided to remove the mandatory requirement for statutory certificates of compliance in respect of a new dwelling on a single unit development or a domestic extension. This will make it less burdensome for people in Clare and around the country to build or extend their home. Commenting on the development, Deputy Pat Breen said, “The problem which has arisen under the regulations under the previous regulations was that people who had built up many years of experience felt that they were excluded under the system and as a result the cost of inspections for the people looking to build had increased substantially. I had raised this matter on a number of occasions following concerns that inspections were costing up to €6,000 which was placing a considerable burden on people building their own homes …