Building Control Inspection Flashcards
How would you inspect a timber frame building and what are they key considerations?
- New builds: Identify key risk areas (damp, fire stopping, fixings, membranes, movement joints)
- Existing: check condition of timber, external to internal (rot, defects)
What guidance is there to help you carry out Building Control Inspections?
- Building Act 1984, - Building Regulations 2010, - Building Regulations (Approved Inspectors) 2010, - British Standards, - BRE guidance notes, - Manufacturers guidance
- Building Control Performance Standards
How do the Approved Inspectors Regulations help you with the process of carrying out Building Control inspections?
They give a legal framework for AI’s to work to and regulate construction.
What is an Approved Inspector?
Approved Inspectors are independent bodies that can provide alternative to Local Authority BC Approval. Qualified under Part 2 of BA1984 .
Who Regulates Approved Inspectors?
Construction Industry Council, required to undergo audit every 5 years to maintain registration. Governed by BR 2010
When submitting an Initial Notice what information should be included?
- Location/site address
- Site location plan
- Extent and scope of work to be undertaken
For what reason could an initial notice be rejected?
Section 47 BA 1984
- Works already commenced
- Another BCB already appointed
- lack of information
Decision to be given within 5 days
For what reason would an AI cancel an initial notice and how would they go about this?
Regulation 18 of BR AI 2010
- works contravene building regulations
- If the AI can no longer carry out its function
Form to be submitted to LA detailing why cancelling initial notice. Known as Reversion
How would an AI enforce a non-compliance with the building regulations?
- Request builder to make works compliant.
- Builder has 3 months to do so
- Cancel IN under Section 52 BA1984 and hand back to LA
What events can cause an initial notice to cease to be in force?
REG 17 BR2010
- no final certificate given within 4 weeks of occupation
- no final certificate given within 8 weeks for residential
What do you look for when ensuring a fire collar has been correctly installed?
- Manufacturers testing and installation certificate
- competent person carrying out works
- Correct location as per details
What other methods are there for fire protecting a downpipe?
- fire collars
- cast iron
- sleeving if maximum 160mm with high melting point material at least 1m either side of wall/floor
What is the difference between passive fire protection and active fire protection?
Passive - system that resists spread fire ie fire doors, compartment walls
Active - System that has triggered response ie sprinkler system, automated fire doors, fire fighters
When would you expect to see active fire protection to service penetrations?
When they pass through a compartment wall and through protected escape routes
Romford Road DS - What advice did you give to ensure structure was safe?
- Advised any loose brickwork that was immediately dangerous to be removed. Any structure that couldn’t be made safe to be removed in its entirety.
If the owner uncooperative, what section of the Building Act would you have used?
Section 78 - emergency powers in dangerous structures situation
What section of the Building Act covers Dangerous Structures?
Section 77 - Dangerous Structures
Section 78 - Dangerous structures emergency measures
If you couldn’t locate the owner of the dangerous structure property, how would you find this out?
- I would speak to neighbours
- land registry
What would your responsibilities be if you were arranging work and instructing contractors under H&S legislation?
- Choose contractor from approved contractor list - already vetted for competence
- Risk assessment of works given to contractor
- Ask for contractors risk assessment
- Scope of works detailed, contract signed
What does s78 notice involve?
- give notice to owner if possible
- remove immediate danger
- recover expenses incurred if reasonable
What does s77 notice involve?
- apply to magistrates court to order work to made safe
- remedy work themselves if owner fails to
- owner subject to fine if fails to comply
What do you need to be careful of when enforcing s78 notice?
- court can decide if LA was right to pursue under s78, instead of 77. LA can not recover costs from owner if s77 could have been used.
Who would you use to carry out s78 notice?
Approved contractor already vetted
Any other legislation you would need to be careful of when instructing s78 works?
- H&S
- CDM
- Listed Buildings
If building was on a busy high street what advice or action would you have take?
Would have liaised with emergency services ie police
Bow Road - what action would you have taken if builder didn’t remedy works?
I would give notice of requirement to remedy within 3 months otherwise I would revert back to local authority
Why would you give them 3 months?
It gives the LA time to prosecute if necessary
At the start of a project how do you determine site inspection plan and many inspections the site will have?
- Building control performance standards give guidance on risk assessing sites and number of visits required/what stages
What’s the minimum number of inspections/time frames you inspect to?
- Every 28 days for active sites, every 3 months for non active sites to hold legal control
What’s in the Building Control Performance Stanards?
- sufficient policy and QMS
- sufficient resources
- consultation
- advice
- assessment of plans
- site inspections
- records
- ethics
- complaints
What quality management procedures do you have in place?
We have our own QMP’s, however I am aware other companies use ISO 9001 and Total Quality Management
What guidance are you aware of surrounding schools?
Building Bulletin 100 - fire safety
BB 93 - acoustics
BB 101 - Ventilation
What is your understanding of compartment sizes under BB100?
800m2 without sprinklers, can increase to 2000m2 with sprinklers. Every floor should be a compartment if no sprinklers. Sprinkler risk assessment is recommended. Property protection over life safety.
What legislation/guidance do we have surrounding safety at sports grounds?
- The Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975
- Sports Grounds Safety Authority
- Green Guide to safety at sports grounds
As an inspector, how do you know what building work you are required to inspect?
Work defined under Regulation 3 and 5 of the Building Regulations 2010
