Demonstrating compliance is a very arduous process. Without the required documentation the development will not be signed off on and the buildings will not become available to potential occupants. The verification of compliance is a very important phase of the development as a result.
A system needs to be put in place to ensure this compliance to avoid any potential issues. Gathering certifications of the materials and performance levels. Compliance documentation provides protection and comfort to all project participants. A water tight set of compliance documents spreads the risk in the event of issues arising. This results in the developer not being solely liable for all potential non-compliance issues.
The construction industry is highly regulated. Each action within a development has its own set of rules and regulations. Procedures and checks are necessary to ensure compliance with all regulations. Back up documentation for each action must be readily available. This process of constantly updating the compliance documentation must start at the very beginning of the construction process and last until the project is complete. The compliance demonstration will be necessary at the end of the development.
Health and safety are the most imperative part of this compliance documentation. In the event of an accident your health and safety documentation will be required to establish liability and any discrepancies in this documentation could result in large scale liability losses and imprisonment for directors. Example of more compliance documentation required are:
- Local authority & planning permissions conditions
- Irish water connection agreement
- ESB Connection agreement
- Local authority part V agreements
- Site development works
- SEAI part L agreement.
- Building control Authority, certification of complianc3 on completion
Without a certification of compliance on completion the new units cannot be occupied. A set of backup information detailing 100% compliance with building requirements and legislation, a cert of compliance upon completion will not be issued by the building control authority. This compliance documentation is the final demonstration of compliance with material and performance all being signed off. It is the responsibility of the appointed assigned assessor to agree all submittals and ensure all the necessary documentation is compiled and submitted through the BCMS system to satisfy the building control authority. Without a certificate of compliance your development cannot be signed over which will result in a termination of your agreement with your selected housing association.
Assigned Assessor
The Building Control Regulations 2014, introduced a more intense system for monitoring compliance from the construction sector. Under the regulations, the nominated Assigned assessor must be a registered professional with relevant experience and competency in complex construction projects. This individual must be either a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Building Surveyor or Registered Architect.
The SOCIAL HOUSING CO. methodology is based on early stage interaction with clients, designers and contractors to facilitate a clear and smooth process of compliance. A key part of our role is undertaking regular and ongoing collation of documentation throughout the works. While bespoke tools track the information, the physical collation of the information also needs to be carried out by the Assigned Assessor. We utilise simple user-friendly compliance software to efficiently manage all projects which allows for direct upload of inspection records, test results and certificates to their final storage location by all stakeholders. While remaining flexible and adaptable to any client nominated file sharing system.
The role of the Assigned Assessor is to inspect and co-ordinate work by key individuals involved in the design and construction of a building. The Assigned Certifier also ensures that all building regulations considered at design stage have been implemented in the final constructed building or works.
We have people with the skill sets in all areas of engineering and surveying. Combined with our nationwide service, our clients have access to superior technical advice on any development across Ireland. Our Assigned Assessor has the support of experts in all areas of construction, in particular Fire Safety, Disability Access, Structural and Energy Standards.
BCM System
The Building Control Management System (BCMS) was introduced with effect from 1 March 2014 to facilitate building control authorities, building owners, builders and construction professionals in discharging their responsibilities under the Building Control Act 1990, as amended. The building control process includes a requirement, in certain circumstances, to lodge a statutory Certificate of Compliance on Completion (CCC) in respect of buildings, including dwellings. While this represents another useful source of data on residential completions, it also has a number of limitations in this regard.
The Building Control Management System (BCMS) is a means of receiving a commencement notice. A commencement notice is required to give notice to Building Control Authorities at the beginning of any housing development, or classes of buildings, or the carrying out of such works, or classes of works, as may be specified in the regulations. All of the development participants which includes the owner, designer, builder and assigned assessor to the notice must first register with the BCMS. A building or works may also require a Fire Safety Certificate Application, a Disability Access Certificate Application and a Certificate of Compliance on Completion. The Building
Control (Amendment) Regulations SI 9 of 2014 recommends this BCMS site as the preferred means of electronic building control administration.
