Building Regulations (N. Ireland) 2000 and Technical Booklet G

The Building Regulations (N Ireland) 2000 came into operation on 1st April 2001. Part G of the regulations “Sound insulation of dwellings” is divided into four related regulations:

•   G1 Application and interpretation
• G2 Separating walls and separating floors
• G3 Existing walls and floors which become separating walls and separating floors
• Deemed-to-satisfy provisions for regulations G2 and G3

Technical Booklet G provides guidance and methods of how the regulation G2 may be satisfied. There is no obligation to follow the methods set out in Technical Booklet G provided compliance with the requirements of the regulations can be demonstrated.

The methods of meeting the requirements of G2 are:

1. To follow one of the “Acceptable Constructions” detailed in Technical Booklet G,
2. To use a “Similar Construction” method i.e. to repeat a construction that has already been built and tested, and shown to achieve the specified performance level.

Technical Booklet G1 provides guidance and methods of how the regulation G3 may be satisfied.

The methods of meeting the requirements of G3 are:

1. To assess the wall or floor and show that upgrading is not necessary (i.e. it meets either a) or b) above)
2. To upgrade the wall or floor using one of the “Acceptable Upgrading Constructions” detailed in Technical Booklet G1 

To upgrade the wall or floor using a “Similar Upgrading Construction” method i.e. to repeat a construction that has already been built and tested, and shown to achieve the specified performance level.