Advice & Guidance


On this website you will find information about the function of building regulations within Northern Ireland.

The Department of Finance (The Department) is responsible for the development and the implementation of policy and legislation relating to the Building Regulations for Northern Ireland.

Under Article 3 of the Building Regulations (NI) Order 1979, the Department is empowered to: “make regulations to be known as “building regulations” -

  • for all or any of the matters set out in Schedule 1 [of the Order]; and
  • for such other matters relating to buildings as appear to the Department after consultation with the Advisory Committee to be relevant to the purposes of this Order.”

The Department publish Technical Booklets for guidance in support of the Building Regulations. There is no obligation to follow the methods or comply with the standards set out in the technical booklets. You may adopt any form of construction you wish, however you will have to demonstrate to the satisfaction of district councils that the requirements of the building regulations have been met.

They allow the Department to set certain standards of performance and to provide a degree of predictability and certainty as to what methods and standards of building which, if followed, will satisfy the requirements of building regulations.

These booklets are specifically written for the use of individuals who have a sound knowledge of modern building techniques, terminology and practices.


Making an application

Making an application

Making an application Download Information Sheet
Waste Storage Guide

Waste Storage Guide

Waste Storage Guide Download Information Sheet
Contraventions and Appeals

Contraventions and Appeals

Contraventions and Appeals Download Information Sheet
Converting your Attic

Converting your Attic

Converting your Attic Download Information Sheet
Energy Conservation

Energy Conservation

Energy Conservation Download Information Sheet
Inspections of works

Inspections of works

Inspections of works Download Information Sheet
Alterations to Conservatories

Alterations to Conservatories

Alterations to Conservatories Download Information Sheet
Building Notice

Building Notice

Building Notice Download Information Sheet
Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide Download Information Sheet
Heating Replacement & Stove Guidance for Householders

Heating Replacement & Stove Guidance for Householders

Heating Replacement & Stove Guidance for Householders Download Information Sheet
Heating Replacement & Stove Guidance for Householders Download Information Sheet 2
Heating Replacement & Stove Guidance for Householders Download Information Sheet 3
BCNI Construction Details (Updated November 2023)

BCNI Construction Details (Updated November 2023)

BCNI Construction Details (Updated November 2023) Download Information Sheet

Euro Codes

Euro-Codes

From the 31st March 2010 a suite of new British Standards for structural design, based on European Standards often called Structural Eurocodes, replaced conflicting national structural design standards which have, from that date, been withdrawn by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Department has now produced guidance on the application of Eurocodes to the building regulations.

Heating replacement Download Information Sheet