Disabled Access Certificate
Below you will find an outline for Disabled Access Certificates in the Republic of Ireland, as required under the Building Control Acts and Building Control Regulations.
Disability Access Certificates (DAC) and Part M Compliance
A Disability Access Certificate (DAC) is a certificate issued by a Building Control Authority that confirms a proposed building design complies with Part M of the Building Regulations.
It verifies that the design includes adequate provisions for everyone—including people with disabilities—to safely approach, enter, circulate within, and use the building.
At Regent Fire Consultants, we provide expert, end-to-end Disability Access Certificate (DAC) consultancy tailored specifically for the Irish commercial and residential property markets. We support developers, architects, and building owners in achieving full statutory compliance under Irish Building Control legislation.
Whether you are delivering a brand-new development or refurbishing an existing property, we handle every stage of the compliance journey—securing approval efficiently before the building is opened, operated, or occupied.
Legal Requirements and When a Disability Access Certificate is Required?
Under Irish Building Control Regulations, a DAC is a statutory requirement to verify that your project’s design complies with Part M (Access and Use) of the Building Regulations, as outlined in the latest Technical Guidance Document M 2022 (TGD-M 2022).
A DAC is legally required for:
- All new non-dwelling buildings.
- Extensions to non-dwelling buildings greater than 25 m².
- Material alterations to commercial and public premises (e.g., shops, offices, hotels, schools, day centres, and places of assembly).
- Certain material changes of use.
Under TGD-M 2022, compliance governs approach routes, internal circulation, sanitary provisions, and the provision of Changing Places Toilets for designated building types and sizes.
Our End-to-End DAC Services
We mitigate project risk, prevent costly delays, and avoid post-construction retrofits by embedding accessibility compliance into your designs from the outset.
- Design Review & Resolution: We evaluate architectural plans against TGD-M 2022 criteria, resolve design deviations, and prepare comprehensive compliance reports with marked-up technical drawings.
- Seamless Part B & Part M Integration: Because we also provide Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) consultancy, we ensure fire safety and accessibility strategies align perfectly, preventing design conflicts.
- BCMS Management: Acting as your technical liaison with Local Authority Building Control Officers, we manage your submissions via the Building Control Management System (BCMS) to deliver seamless approvals.