To ask the Minister of Finance whether the option of BS8414 large scale testing is still a possible alternative option for meeting the required safety standards concerning proposed amendment of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and update to technical guidance.

My Department’s Building Standards Officials advise that the alternative option of a BS8414 large scale test has been recognised and accepted by industry as a satisfactory way to demonstrate compliance with existing external fire spread requirements in external walls. The proposed amendments to the guidance in Technical Booklet E (Fire safety), would introduce this option into the guidance for the first time as an acceptable route to compliance for ‘non-relevant’ buildings.

Under the proposed new requirement, BS8414 large scale tests would not be included as a route to compliance for ‘relevant’ buildings. These are seen as higher risk and the priority would be to provide clarity and certainty for designers, installers and enforcement bodies to understand precisely what materials can and cannot be used on these buildings. The new regulation is aimed at providing that certainty.

The analysis of consultation responses will indicate any views on BS8414 large scale tests as an alternative route to compliance for relevant buildings. This would be referred along with other consultation feedback to the local Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) for its advice to inform final proposals.