CABE and the Building Safety Competence Foundation will be the first competence assessors for the registered building safety inspector scheme
The Building Safety Regulator has gained the first two competence assessors in the Building Safety Competence Foundation and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), who will provide a vital part of the registered building inspector schemes.
The competence assessment is part of the registered building inspector’s pathway.
Certification is mandatory for building control professionals
Over 4,500 current building control professionals will need to be assessed and certified to become registered building inspectors.
They will no longer be able to work in building control across the whole built environment in England without certification after April 2024, per the Building Safety Act 2022.
The register for the registered building inspector schemes will open officially in October 2023.
The BSR will provide guidance to employers and individuals to understand the new requirements
As part of the BSR-approved independent competence assessment schemes, candidates will be evaluated against the Building Inspector Competence Framework (BICoF) classes 2 – 4 every four years.
Assessments include interview and examination pathways, as well as continuous professional development.
The BICoF focuses on the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours expected of registered building inspectors.
BICoF is split into nine interrelated subject areas, which broadly cover technical competence, competent application of knowledge and understanding in core building inspection functions and activities, and management competence.
Driving the new safety standards developed by Dame Judith Hackitt and others
The BSCF’s chief executive, Lorna Stimpson, said: “Dame Judith Hackitt asked industry for change; she asked for a change of mindset to reprioritise safety, a change of culture and the introduction of measurable competence. Dame Judith challenged industry, and in particular building control to “get on with it, don’t wait to be told what to do”.
“The BSCF scheme, which is developed in accordance with the requirements of ISO17024, and is audited and accredited by UKAS, is a robust, impartial and unbiased competency assessment which assesses a building control professional’s individual skills, knowledge, ethics and behaviours. The BSCF’s model reflects the changes Dame Judith called for and the change our communities deserve. It puts people’s safety first and holds up to scrutiny from all, including service users, senior managers and insurers.”
“We are delighted to have received approval from the Building Safety Regulator to provide independent competence assessments for building control surveyors in England. We have been impressed by the rigour of the BSR’s process for acceptance which holds true to Dame Judith’s vision of safety above all else, and we are actively encouraging building control professionals to prove their competence and make their application for registration.”
Dr Gavin Dunn, chief executive of CABE, said: “Building control professionals have a vital role in helping to deliver buildings that are safe, sustainable, and accessible to all. CABE is delighted to be able to play its part in supporting professionals to demonstrate their competence and in developing a culture of continuous improvement that will help protect the public interest in the long term.
“We do not underestimate the challenge in getting the building control profession ready by the April 2024 deadline. It is a huge undertaking, and we are in constant talks with relevant organisations to make this transition as smooth as possible.”
A “pivotal moment” for building safety control post-Grenfell
HSE’s Director of Building Safety, Philip White said: “This is a pivotal moment for the building control profession. It will enable individual building control professionals to have independent recognition of their years of investment in their skills, knowledge and experience. It’s also another important step on the path to rebuilding confidence in the profession after Grenfell.
Our advice to those working in building control is to embrace this positive and important change and to begin the process early to avoid ending up in a queue.”
You can learn more about the changes brought about by the Building Safety Act here.
