The new Building Safety Act and its implications for approved inspectors

In my post last week I referenced an event where for the first time in the history of Approved Inspectors, over 120 representatives from the sector came together to discuss the most fundamental changes to building control since the introduction of the AI market in the mid 1980’s. The fact that this event was so well attended demonstrates the appetite and drive for the sector to become an integral part of the new regulatory framework being set out by the Building Safety Regulator as part of the new Building Safety Act.

Below you will find some of the key points that I took away from the event and the likely changes that this is going to result in both for the AI market and the wider building control sector.

The Building Safety Regulator described the current position of the industry and was clear that the Approved Inspector sector will be needed to deliver the changes government are pressing ahead with. What this means is that all of the debate in the industry about whether AI’s will cease to exist and there will only be LABC are not accurate. This is the most certain statement that we have been issued with to date that the network of approved inspectors will have a significant role to play in the future of security the safety of the built environment.

Over the next 12 months there will be numerous consultations on secondary legislation to deliver the Building Safety Act. These consultations will take place alongside discussion around the methodology for dealing with competence in the wider building control sector. This is a vitally important aspect of moving our sector forward. Every building control officer, whether private or local authority, will need to be able to demonstrate key competencies no matter whether they are overseeing a single story extension or a 30 storey tower block.

The Approved Inspector market is already well equipped to demonstrate competence and has continuously done so since the first licences were granted. Assent has invested heavily in upskilling and apprenticeships with a dedicated training lead in Paul Armstrong to bring on the next generation of building control professionals. This type of approach is vital if the industry is to thrive. We need fresh talent to work alongside the experienced building surveyors and people who are prepared to help drive the technological innovations that will be required as the industry moves towards a more digitally enhanced operation.

We continue to see the value in professional memberships with a number of our surveyors sitting either the CABE and RICS examinations. This is a fundamental demonstration of professionalism, ethics and the knowledge needed to be a skilled building control surveyor. This type of additional qualification will not change, in our opinion, and as the construction industry becomes increasingly aware of the changes under the BSR, they will hold more weight in terms of a demonstration of competency.

There is a large body of work for our service users to be ready for the new legislation coming which will unlock the full effects of the Building Safety Act. It is going to take some time for the wider industry to work out the detail of the Building Safety Act and the parts that they will have responsibility for. However, this does not mean that the building control sector can rest on its laurels. As we, as approved inspectors, are already some way down the line of working towards the new requirements of the BSR, we need to guide and support our clients through the transitional stage.

Assent will continue to support its clients in delivery of safe buildings through gateway points 1, 2 and 3 to ensure that they remain compliant.