Navigating the 2024 Amendments to Part B – Fire Safety (Fire Safety - Volume 1 Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses)

This webinar will be recorded to purchase for future delivery via RIAI Digital Chalk.

This event aims to equip architects, architectural technologists and architectural graduates with an understanding of the 2024 amendments to Part B of the Building Regulations. The course will delve into the legislative, technical updates and case studies, emphasizing their impact for awareness of transition periods, project costs, client advising strategies and competence with practical implications for architectural practice.

Course Overview

Explore critical updates to fire safety regulations. This course offers a deep dive into the legislative, structural, and technical changes introduced in the 2024 amendments to Part B of the Building Regulations. Participants will gain insights from various perspectives, including fire safety officers and the Office of Public Works, and learn about the transition arrangements, new section on smoke control systems, adaptations for existing buildings, and the broader implications for architectural practice. Engage with experts through interactive presentations, case studies, and Q&A sessions to understand how these changes could potentially impact the project for awareness of project planning, budget, and client consultations; as well as awareness of competence - when the architect needs to take specialist advice.

The CPD course will cover the following topics:

1. Introduction to Part B Amendments
2. Overview of the legislative, structural and technical changes
3. Existing Buildings compliance (Section 7)
4. OPW Insights on public sector projects
5. Key takeaways for architects: awareness of project cost and programme implications
6. Areas of focus for the Assigned Certifier and BCAR
7. Design implications for residential and commercial buildings

Registration for Local Authority 

Local Authority bookings must be accompanied by a Purchase Order number, without this the booking cannot be processed.  We can process credit card details, please contact Teresa Harte E: tharte@riai.ie or T: 01 6691472.

Reference Documentation

Technical Guidance Document B - Fire Safety - Volume 1 Buildings other than Dwelling Houses

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Describe the changes to Part B of the Technical Guidance Documents (LO1)
2. Recognise the roles and expectations of fire safety officers under the new regulations to enhance compliance and safety practices (LO2)
3. Formulate effective communication strategies with clients regarding the cost and timeline implications of the new fire safety standards on building projects (LO3)
4. Identify areas of particular focus for the role of the Assigned Certifier (LO4)
5. Analyse some of the challenges impacting the design stages of a project in the context of the upcoming 2025 implementation date (LO5)

Assessment for Learning:

The following Formative assessment strategies for learning are proposed.

• Live Q&A Sessions: Facilitate live question-and-answer sessions after each major topic to allow participants' comprehension and opportunity to apply the new regulations to practical scenarios. This allows immediate feedback and clarification, aligning participant understanding with the learning outcomes.
• Live Interactive Survey: At the end of the session, an online interactive survey will allow participants reflect on the material and its implications on their professional practice. The survey will also gather feedback on the course's effectiveness and identify additional learning opportunities, supporting all learning outcomes.

This structured approach ties the assessments to the learning outcomes, providing metrics for both increased participation and instructional effectiveness.

Teaching and Learning:

• Lectures: Present the foundational information and updates on Part B of the Building Regulations through structured lectures. This will help all participants to have a uniform starting point for understanding the new amendments.
• Case Studies: Incorporate real-life case studies where feasible to do so, to illustrate the practical application of the amendments in various scenarios. This approach will help participants visualize the impact of these changes on their work and enhance their critical evaluation skills.
• Online Participation: Utilize remote learning technologies to make this course available to the broadest membership group. Ensure that participants can engage with the material and the instructors interactively, regardless of their physical location.