Northern Ireland: changes to Part E of Building Regulations & Technical Booklets

The Properties Division of Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance have made changes to Part E (Fire Safety) of the Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 and to Technical Booklets E (Fire Safety 2012) and R. 

As per the Building Standards Branch, the changes are:

The Statutory Rule:

(a) Introduces two new regulations in Part E (Fire Safety) that will:
i) require the provision of fire safety information on the date of completion of the work, or the date of occupation of a building or extension, whichever is earlier; and
ii) require Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (sprinklers) in certain buildings
b) Replaces the Table to Regulation 8 (Application to material change of use) and the Notes to Table to Regulation 8 in Part A (Interpretation and general).
c) Adds new definitions for “Above ground level”, “Fire safety duties”, “Fire safety information”, “Purpose-built student accommodation”, “Relevant premises” and “Residential care premises” in Part E (Fire Safety).

These changes will come into force on 6 May 2025. You can view the amendments on the Department’s website here.

The Department’s new publication on building regulations, Amendments Booklet – 2025 (AMD 9), also updates the guidance published by the Department within Technical Booklets E (2012) and R (2012).

The guidance in the new Booklet comes into effect on 6 May 2025, except in the following circumstances:

1) Where work has commenced before 6 May 2025
or
2) Where a building notice has been given, or plans deposited, before 6 May 2025

Download Amendments Booklet – 2025 (AMD 9) from the Department’s publications portal here.

Anyone with further enquiries can email Building Standards Branch at: info.bru@finance-ni.gov.uk