Longboat Quay: Building industry split on regulation

Construction industry professionals are at odds as to whether new regulations, introduced after the Longboat Quay development had been built, would prevent similar safety problems emerging.

According to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the regulatory regime that had been applied when the Dublin apartment block, at the centre of fire safety concerns, was built was “entirely different” to the current controls.

“Under the new regime, for any development which started after March 1 last year, there is a requirement to submit an inspection plan during the construction process and this is where the assigned certifier is going to undertake the required inspections to confirm the building is being built in accordance with the design drawings and according to building regulations,” said Hubert Fitzpatrick of CIF.