In accordance with the Building Control Regulations a Commencement Notice prior to commencement of certain construction works must be received by a Building Control Authority not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days before commencement. From 1st March 2014, a completed Commencement Notice must be signed by the owner of the construction works (where the works involve the creation of a new dwelling, an extension to a dwelling involving a total floor area greater than 40 square metres or works which require an application for a Fire Safety Certificate) and must (refer to Section 9 S.I. No 9 of 2014) be accompanied by the following;

(a) General arrangement drawings;

(b) A schedule of design documents as are currently prepared or to be prepared

(c) An online- assessment via the Building Control Management System of the proposed approach to compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014;

(d) The preliminary inspection plan

(e) A Certificate of Compliance (Design)

(f)  Notices of Assignment in respect of the Builder who will carry out the works and of the Assigned Certifier who will inspect and certify the works; and

(g) Certificates of Compliance signed by the Builder and the Assigned Certifier undertaking to carry-out their roles in accordance with the requirements of the Building Regulations.

The following requirements also apply:

(i)  The Designer and the Assigned Certifier must be competent in relation to the particular works involved and be a Chartered Engineer (Section 7 Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act 1969), or Registered Architect (Part 3 Building Control Act 2007) or Registered Building Surveyor (Part 5 Building Control Act 2007)

(ii) A competent Builder must execute the work`

(iii) The drawings must show details of how the construction works will comply with the Building Regulations - drawings submitted for planning permission purposes may not satisfy this requirement.

(iv) The Commencement Notice and accompanying documentation must be filed electronically via the online Building Control Management System. Where notices and documentation are submitted in written format, the Building Control Authority will arrange for scanning and uploading of same for which an administrative charge will apply and statutory deadlines relating to such notices may be delayed.

(v) If a building owner changes either the Builder or the Assigned Certifier, then the building owner shall within 14 days notify the Building Control Authority of the change(s).

A Certificate of Compliance (Completion) must be submitted to the Building Control Authority and included on the statutory register before the works or building can be opened, occupied or used.

A Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works has been published by the Minister to provide guidance, and compliance with this Code of Practice shall prima facie indicate compliance with the relevant requirements of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

(Note: Statutory approvals relating to Fire Safety Certificates and Disability Access Certificates continue to apply where relevant and are not affected by the above changes).