This programme develops the postgraduate’s knowledge and skills through modules which link theories and practices associated with Building Regulatory Compliance (BRC). The professional will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competence to holistically evaluate regulatory compliance techniques in terms of traditional command and control regulation. They will gain the discretion to use other strategies for regulating a problem and the skill to select a regulatory strategy to provide a regulatory outcome in different contexts.
The programme has been developed in cooperation with the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office, which supports Building Control Authorities on the implementation of the regulations and promoting a culture of compliance with the regulations.
Accordingly, the programme does not only focus on the regulations and consequences of not adhering to them, but on how the regulations and standards affect a positive, healthy, and safe environment where peoples’ best interests are at heart.
Regulatory professionalism encompasses, integrity, consistency and transparency which requires substantial training focusing not only on technical but also on mainstream regulatory compliance, inspection, and enforcement skills to help ensure consistency and fairness.
Mairead Phelan, Head of the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office (NBC&MSO), says that: “Building Regulatory Compliance is not just about is not just about Laws, it is about regulators and practitioners who operate in the space between these laws as enacted and protecting citizens and society from a range of risks, threats, or harms. This MSc is a must for regulators and practitioners in that it provides practical instruction on regulatory models, practices, policy formulation, the risk-based regulator using national, European, and international and case-studies”.
Aim
The primary aim of the programme is to produce high calibre individuals, distinct in their knowledge, skills and know how associated with Building Control and Regulatory Compliance.
Objectives
The objectives of the programmes are to:
- Develop a culture of integrity and compliance with Building Regulations.
- Provide a specialised knowledge of Building Control & Building Regulations and the Building Control Management System
- Provide detailed knowledge and skill to use dynamic thermal simulation software in the analysis of energy consumption of buildings by modification of the building envelope to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Provide specialised knowledge of the investigation and diagnosis of defects in buildings and their remedies particularly defects in relation to Building Control and Regulatory Compliance.
- Evaluate concepts and ideas arising from a variety of construction projects from concept to detailed design, to analyse, make value judgements and propose practical, legal, and environmental solutions to construction problems.
- Develop skills to make incisive decisions through an explicit and systematic understanding of the ethical, political, social, cultural, economic, technological, environmental, legal, and organisational factors in relation to Construction, Building Control and Regulatory Compliance.
Delivery
The programmes delivery is designed on a block release model, to facilitate work-based learners, where students visit the university as follows:
Full Time: 8 times x 2 days (Thursdays and Fridays) each semester for one year
The programme uses a combination of traditional classroom-based learning, peer learning to allow for the sharing of knowledge, ideas and experience between the participants and is supported by technology facilitated learning to deliver a blended approach to students of all industry backgrounds.
Part-time Option
This programme is also available as a two year part-time programme. See the part time programme for more details.
Funding Support
The Construction IT Alliance (CITA) Skillnet provides 30% funding for eligible applicants. More details here
Semester 1
Building Regulatory Enforcement
Students will study and research enforcement activities aimed at promoting compliance and reaching regulations outcomes using the tools of inspections by authorised officials and agencies, and enforcement actions. The module explores regulatory design, risk and regulation, enforcement, self-regulation and enforcement and inspections toolkit.
Building Control Legislation, Regulation Policy, and Practice
This module provides students with a working knowledge of Building Control Legislative Framework in Ireland.; the hierarchy and jurisdiction of the Irish court system in the context of the Building Control Acts 1990-2014. Students will assess different and use of specific areas of law relating to building and construction to promote compliance to ensure health, safety, and welfare of people in or about buildings, conservation of fuel and energy and access for all.
Economics & the Construction Sector
This module supports participants to develop their economics knowledge to ensure that they can successfully operate in a management capacity in the engineering and construction sector.
Research Methodology
The aim of this module is to prepare participants in the programme for postgraduate research to aid the Dissertation module.
Energy Modelling for nZEB Design
The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge and skill to use dynamic thermal simulation software in the analysis energy consumption of buildings by modification of the building envelope.
Professional Development and Effectiveness
The aim of this module is to prepare the student for successful professional practice and management roles including critical appraisal of their own performance
Semester 2
Building Regulatory Compliance
This is a module outlines the various issues and options concerning promoting regulatory compliance practice and prepares the participants to undertake the business of compliance management. The module explores regulatory compliance challenges, policy failure and best practices; participants will develop the skills to create and implement effective compliance and audit policies and procedures.
Building Control Management System
The module elevates participants' understanding of current Building Control Management System (BCMS) and future BCMS developments that are having a significant impact on Building Control and building activity in Ireland. Participants will gain specialised knowledge and skill in the demonstration of building control administrative compliance process and technology.
ICT for Construction
The aim of this module to elevate the participants' understanding of current and future ICT developments that are having a significant impact on the engineering and construction sector, with specific emphasis on the issues (technology, people & processes) associated with the implementation of BIM.
Energy Modelling for HVAC Systems & Controls
The aim of this module is to provide the student with the knowledge and skill to use dynamic thermal simulation software for the generation of building energy ratings of commercial buildings and analysis of building energy consumption by modification of the building envelope, plant, systems, and controls.
Lean Enterprise Thinking & Practice
This module develops students' understanding and application of core Lean management, thinking and practices, as well as Lean in construction. The module explores the requisite elements for an organisation to enable and sustain process, operational and enterprise excellence. Students will examine Lean holistically and systemically across the broader organisational setting and business sectors.
Building Energy Performance & Analysis
The aim of this module is to provide specialised knowledge of the investigation and diagnosis of defects in buildings and their remedies particularly defects in relation to energy consumption.
Semester 3
Dissertation
This is a significant module that concerns the completion of an individual Dissertation/Research Project on a topic of the participant's choosing. This topic may relate specifically to their current employment (for those undertaking the programme/module on a part-time basis) or to a relevant topic that will assist in the professional development of the individual.
- Applicants for this programme should hold a NFQ Level 8 Honours degree with a minimum of Honours 2.2 in a cognate discipline.
- Cognate discipline areas of study include: civil engineering, construction studies, construction management, architecture, architectural technology, building services, building surveying, quantity surveying, energy engineering, energy management, building physics, physical and chemical sciences, health and safety, fire management, fire systems, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, electronic engineering, systems engineering.
OR
- have a non-cognate NQF Level 8 degree with a minimum of Honours 2.2 together with a minimum of 5 years relevant industrial experience in a cognate area.
Entry to the programme may also be allowed via the Institute’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process on an individual case-by-case basis. This RPL process includes the matching of the candidate’s prior learning (education and experiential) with the equivalent Level 8 programme outcomes.
Eligible applicants must at least meet the minimum English language requirements for the Institute as detailed in the Quality Manual.
All applications should be made via the online facility at www.pac.ie.
Graduates of this programme will have the opportunity to advance their careers in the area of building control and product regulation. This is particularly relevant to architects, architectural technologists, engineers, planners, building control officers, surveyors where the implications of building control have the biggest impact.
The programme offers and opportunity for students without a formal building control qualifications and experience to gain employment in several areas of the construction industry where promoting a culture of compliance with the building and construction products regulations is important. These include:
- Designers
- Quality Assurance and Control Managers
- BCAR Managers
- Assigned Certifiers
- Building Control Officers
- Health and Safety Specialists
- Sustainability Officers.
Full-time over one year
The full-time programme is of interest to recent graduates as well as others who are returning to higher education in order to improve their skills and employment prospects. The full-time version of the MScBRC involves approximately 12 hours of class contact per week in each of the first 2 semesters (S1: September to December and S2: January to May).
These classes are typically held on Thursday, Fridays and some Saturdays. The third semester (S3: May to September) is used to complete the Research Dissertation/Thesis.
Applicants should apply for SE71T through the PAC application system.
Part-time over two years
The part-time programme has been designed primarily to suit those who are in employment and who wish to gain the MScBRC qualification while continuing to work. Attendance at SETU Waterford is normally required for 16 days per year in 8 x 2 day sessions (Thursday, Friday and some Saturdays). Applicants should apply for SE71V through the PAC application system.
There is significant use of the Institute’s online Learning Management System on this programme.
Course Leader
