How are future Irish homes (new builds) pyrite proof?

ClaireSh

How are future Irish homes (new builds) pyrite proof? Have builders learnt lessons from their past mistakes. How do I ensure inappropriate materials weren't used for hardfill in construction of the new house I'm buying?

Thanks a mil

Metric Tensor

NSAI SR21 introduced a large number of new tests required for unbound aggregate under foundations, particularly in Annex E.

You can ask for the quarry certificates to prove the fill used came from an appropriately certified quarry. It's mandatory that they write this on the delivery dockets.

All systems are still open to abuse of course so the reputability and quality of the builder and quarry are as important if not more so!

ClaireSh

Metric Tensor wrote: »

NSAI SR21 introduced a large number of new tests required for unbound aggregate under foundations, particularly in Annex E.

You can ask for the quarry certificates to prove the fill used came from an appropriately certified quarry. It's mandatory that they write this on the delivery dockets.

All systems are still open to abuse of course so the reputability and quality of the builder and quarry are as important if not more so!

Thanks Metric Tensor. What stage would I get this delivery dockets? Is this something my solicitor has to request from the builder's solicitor?

Gumbo

ClaireSh wrote: »

Thanks Metric Tensor. What stage would I get this delivery dockets? Is this something my solicitor has to request from the builder's solicitor?

Are you buying in a large development?
If so, the developer may never give you this. The certificate of compliance covers Part A of the Building Regulations which is structure. The stone fill material under a ground bearing slab is a structural item now under SR21 / IS888 as MT mentioned above so this certificate of compliance therefore demonstrates compliance with this.

What I do if I am inspecting these projects, is request the foreman to show me a delivery docket to ensure it’s stamped sr21, and I then ask him to show my which house that delivery went under, which most of them keep the records for.

I have sites where I can pin point which house got filled under from which delivery on which particular day.

TheShow

ClaireSh wrote: »

Thanks Metric Tensor. What stage would I get this delivery dockets? Is this something my solicitor has to request from the builder's solicitor?

The supervising architect/engineer will sign off that the house has been constructed in compliance with building regulations and planning permissions, which will satisfy your solicitor and bank and that’s probably about as close as you will get to getting that confirmation.

Metric Tensor

Exactly what the lads said above - unless you are buying a one off house the chances of getting that are very slim. You have to rely on the engineer overseeing the job to have carried out the relevant due diligence in his/her supervision and the builder and developer being conscientious enough to do things right.

It's the same issue for every other part of the building - pyrite just made the news. Someone should be checking certs for blocks, concrete, windows, doors, roof trusses, fire alarms, etc., etc.

In an ideal world these should be contained in the safety file that the developer should give you when you purchase the house but I can guarantee you they aren't. I've only seen this happen on large publicly funded projects.

ClaireSh

Thanks for all the inputs :-)