Angela Naughton, Building Control Officer at Clare County Council completed the Certificate in Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings in 2023. She shared this feedback on her experience, which provides a valuable insight into the course for other building control officers and those working in retrofitting older traditional buildings.

“As a Building Control Officer I am aware that Building Regulations are primarily focused on the design and construction of new buildings as opposed to the retrofit and the renovation of traditional buildings. From completion of this course, I have a far better understanding of how modern materials and modern practices cannot simply be imposed onto older buildings that were designed on entirely different principles, where issues of moisture movement and risk are different from those found in new construction.

Before this course, I was inclined to encourage everyone that was carrying out retrofit works to strive for compliance with the Building Regulations. I now have a better understanding that the Building Regulations cannot always be applied to traditional buildings. I also have a better understanding on how the use of computer models such as DEAP to predict energy use in traditional buildings is not very accurate as the default values of DEAP are often significantly different to measured energy use. Rather than relying on default values, an understanding of renovation materials and traditional materials must always be considered. “

Angela Naughton BE C.Eng MIEI, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Fire & Building Control Department, Clare County Council

Applications are now open for the Certificate in Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings, which is part time over 24 weeks and starts on September 18th 2023. The fees are €833, reduced from €1250 with DASBE funding support.