The Grenfell Tower fire on the night of June 14, 2017 has changed everything.
There have since been many significant reports, reviews and publication, all with the aim to make sense of what happened. The combined conclusions of these have now been enshrined in legislation with the Building Safety Act 2022 and the various emerging secondary support legislation.
The breadth, depth and speed of the legislative change and associated liabilities is significant. To stand any chance of managing risk for both themselves, and those immediately affected by their actions, it is essential for UK clients, developers and property owners to maintain awareness of the implications of these changes.
Building regulation 2010: Part 2A: Dutyholders & Competence:
The most significant of the secondary legislation, establishes requirements for Dutyholders, to be clearly identified and appointed for any project that requires Building Control approval. These have been defined as follows, and each has specific defined duties, responsibilities and liabilities:
- Client
- Building Regulation Principal Designer (BRPD)
- Designers
- Building Regulation Principal Contractor (BRPC)
- Contractors
With the Clients/Building owners at the top, this seeks to establish the appropriate provision of competencies, resources, and lines of accountability at the outset of any building project. The intent to identify, enable and ensure compliance with The Building Regulations ‘Relevant Requirements’ from earliest design stages, through construction, and on into occupation.
It is now the Client’s responsibility to ‘take all reasonable steps’ to ensure competence of all those appointed, and at application, to be able to demonstrate the appropriate actions taken, as part of the approvals process.
Who should be the Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD):
Although ‘the Act’ does not preclude it, it is neither the intent nor the recommendation that the role be undertaken by anyone other than the Lead Designer, or Lead Designers organisation for any given project.
Leonard Design, as architects and seasoned designers, with extensive experience leading the design believe it is only appropriate to also take on the role as BRPD, either for the duration of the design work, or until such time as the lead design role should fall to others.
As a company Leonard Design have spent much time over the past year engaging with the new legislation, developing our understanding and creating our delivery systems for the Building Regulations Principal Designer(BRPD) role.
As a member of the ATLG for six months now, with the combined experiences, knowledge and insight of some 260 member practices, Leonard Design aim to stay at the forefront of BSA interpretation and application.
Leonard Design now have a BSA/BRPD information, also an associated CPD style presentation we are actively delivering to our developer and consultant clients alike.
If this piques your interest, please do get in touch so that we might share our knowledge and experiences with you.
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