The assigned certifier conference 2019 Cormac Bradley 3rd April 2019

Who is the Assigned Certifier? What is their role?

The Assigned Certifier’s Role. How has it changed? Before we look at how the role has changed………if at all! What is the current status? 1. BC(A)R in its original context has just celebrated it’s 5th birthday 2. In 2015, SI 365, the “Opt-out” was introduced for individual home owners 3. Complementary suites of documentation to go with the BC(A)R legislation have been developed

The Assigned Certifier’s Role. How has it changed? Before we look at how the role has changed………if at all! What is the current status? 4. Since the introduction of SI 9 (of 2014), there have been on-going discussions between the building sector and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government – the latest of which took place yesterday morning. 5. The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has yet to achieve statutory status. 6. There is a significant discrepancy between the numbers of Commencement Notices on the BCMS and the number of Certificates of Compliance on Completion.

Who is the Assigned Certifier? Notice Type 2016 2017 2018 Total to date (Mar 2014) SI 365 Opt Outs 2229 5329 6264 15381 Short Commencement Notices 2577 2076 2034 10290 Commencement Notices 6328 4046 3933 24381 7 Day Notices 897 944 1012 3929 Total 7225 4990 4945 28310 Completion Notices 3505 5266 5939 11163

Who is the Assigned Certifier? The Assigned Certifier is drawn from one of three groups of professionals; - Chartered Engineers from a Register maintained by Engineers Ireland under Section 7 of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act 1969 - Architects from the Register maintained by the RIAI under Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 - Building Surveyors that are on the Register maintained by the SCSI under Part 5 of the Building Control Act 2007 Are there challenges associated with the appointment of the Assigned Certifier?

What is their role? Provide and sign the relevant statutory certificates Co-ordinate the (generation) of ancillary certification by the design team Identify all design professionals and specialists, in conjunction with the builder Identify all certificates and obtain them Co-ordinate and collate all certification of compliance for completion in conjunction with the Builder In consultation with the design team, plan and oversee the implementation of the Inspection Plan during Construction. Prepare the preliminary Inspection Plan (pIP) Manage and maintain records and records of inspection Act as the single point of contact with the Building Control Authority Seek advice from the Building Control Authority

How has the role evolved since the legislation came into effect? Initially, the role has involved educating clients as to the specific requirements of the legislation There has been a requirement to give advice to builders, contractors and subcontractors who have taken on a building role There has been an elevated level of engagement with Building Control Officers The boundaries of Assigned Certifier responsibility have become blurred – additional advice has to be available in order to get projects completed Interaction with the Builder, particularly at Completion stage is considerably enhanced – builders now also have dedicated BC(A)R personnel within their project teams

What are the most common issues that arise for the Assigned Certifier? Fee proposal associated with the role Time and resource management Management and co-ordination of the Inspection Plan Getting started on site after the issuing of the Commencement Notice Timelines for the Certificate of Compliance on Completion Accessibility of the BCMS – very slow upload times during the working day Collation of Ancillary Certification

As the role has evolved, what changes need to be made to ensure the role is performed to a high standard? Fees? Time and resource allocation? Greater monitoring of the project appointments by the BCMS – not just Assigned Certifier! Enhanced engagement with the various project parties - Can the Assigned Certifier attend every Site Progress and Technical Meeting? Ongoing engagement with the Depart of Housing, Planning and Local Government National Referral Body CIRI status Awareness programme Latent Defects Insurance

As the role has evolved, what changes need to be made to ensure the role is performed to a high standard?