Regulations and certification in Ireland

Purpose of the work

To review the impact of air tightness testing in construction in Ireland since the introduction of mandatory testing under the National Building Regulations in 2008 and the subsequent enforcement of a National Certification Scheme.

Method of approach

Review of National Building Regulations in 2008 & 2011 and implications on buildings being constructed and the industry's acceptance.

Content of the presentation

Background of the construction industry and air tightness and how the acceptance and implementation has changed since the introduction of mandatory testing.

Results and assessment

The author has drawn on his own significant experience of air leakage testing in Ireland and interviewed his colleagues to arrive at the conclusions being presented.

Conclusions

The introduction of air leakage testing in Ireland and has had an overall very positive impact on the quality of construction. Air leakage testing was initially resisted by the industry but has become a very accepted method for quality control and to market the energy efficiency of new buildings.

Note

For more information, please contact the reference author at: mas@2eva.ie