The Building Regulation Law and Ventilation Installations

The Building Regulation Law (LOE) is a regulatory document that predates the Technical Building Code (CTE). The law aims to establish the basic requirements that buildings must meet, to regulate the challenging process of construction, updating the legal framework of all parties involved and setting obligations. In this way, responsibilities can be clarified, occupants can be protected (through the mandatory enrollment of insurance policies), and compliance with the right to decent housing established by the Constitution can be ensured. It also establishes periods of responsibility in relation to the damages that buildings may present.

In response to the legal gap that the assignment of responsibilities in the framework of construction required by society at the time created, the LOE was enacted in 1999. Construction was one of the main economic sectors at the time, yet there was no corresponding regulation to govern the obligations, responsibilities, and guarantees of building users. The growing demand from society for a quality real estate stock affected both the structures and the installation systems (fire protection, noise protection, insulation systems, etc.).

How does the Building Regulation Law affect ventilation installations?

Some of the law's requirements directly or indirectly affect the ventilation systems. It stipulates that installations should not be an obstacle to the proper functioning of the building, nor put the safety of its occupants at risk in case of fire. Furthermore, installations must comply with the requirements of habitability (hygiene, health, environmental protection, noise protection, energy saving, and thermal insulation).

I am a supplier, what obligations do I have?

According to the Building Regulation Law, all suppliers of construction products (importers, sellers, and manufacturers) are obligated to deliver the products as agreed in the order and to provide information about their origin and quality. They must also comply with the requirements set by the applicable technical regulations. They must provide manuals for the use and maintenance of the products, along with their respective quality guarantees. Lastly, they must present the relevant quality certificates issued by various national and international entities (to verifiably ensure that the supplied products function correctly).

Quality certification companies, what obligations do they have?

Quality certification companies are entities that provide technical assistance confirming that the project and materials used comply with the required quality. During the execution of the work, they ensure that the installations adhere to the project and meet the applicable regulations. Once the results are obtained, they communicate them to the promoter or responsible technical professional. Quality certification companies must ensure that they are governed by a quality management system that defines their testing or control methods and that they have the appropriate personnel, means, and equipment to carry out their activities competently.