Building Control Performance Standard 6: Site inspection
The building regulations establish standards that have to be achieved in the construction of buildings. A project's compliance with the regulations is independently verified by Building Control Bodies (BCB’s) who may be the building control department of the local authority, or an approved inspector.
A set of building control performance standards were prepared by the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group (BCPSAG) to ensure competition between local authorities and approved inspectors does not drive down standards and to encourage the consistent application of building control functions.
The standards are supported by guidance about how they might be achieved. This is analogous to the relationship between the functional requirements of the building regulations and the guidance provided by the approved documents.
Standard 6: Site inspection, came in to force on 1 April 2017 and applies to building work where an initial notice, building notice or full plans application has been given on or after 1 April 2017.
The standard was revised and clarified by a circular letter published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on 25 January 2017. The revised standard and associated guidance is appended to the letter, and requires that:
|
Site inspection regime: Building Control Bodies shall deliver a site inspection plan matched to client and project needs. Relevant factors should be assessed at the outset and regularly reviewed so that effective control is maintained for the duration of each project, with adequate site inspections and sufficient records, to demonstrate the application of reasonable skill and care by the Building Control Body. Site inspection records: records of each inspection, (including the information required in the guidance to the standard), shall be maintained. Records shall identify the work inspected and any non-compliance together with any re-inspection. Where plans are not available for the work, these records will be more detailed. Contraventions: details of non-compliant work (contraventions) should be communicated promptly and clearly to the responsible person, identifying the contravention(s) and indicating any measure(s) believed to be necessary. Any mechanisms for appealing against or disputing a decision of the Building Control Body shall be clearly made known to the responsible person. Notification of consultees: During the inspection phase, the Building Control Body shall ensure that all statutory consultees are notified of any significant departures from plans. |
A Local Authority Building Control (LABC) spokesman said: “LABC welcomes the circular letter. We see this as part of the wider discussions on standards and quality in the building industry... Changes of practices in construction, the loss of people in the industry during the recession, EU workers, a growing economy, technical innovation and government targets for one million new homes have all contributed to challenges and issues.”
“There is a bigger picture and LABC has been consulting with local authorities and is already putting a new framework in place to review and uplift best practices, standards, records and training.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.