LEGISLATION OVERVIEW & PROCEDURES Douglas Walker Chairman Scottish Registration Board Structural Engineers Registration Ltd

“ the structural engineer is acknowledged by all parties as the one specialist who can ensure the structure is safe. However the engineer often finds that these same parties are not giving him the leeway and opportunities to make their expectations a reality….” Dutch Inspectorate of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment April 2009

The contractual arrangements used by clients to procure a building can have important consequences for the reliability of the design and the adequacy of the construction. Frequently, building design procurement will involve the appointment of a number of designers who may be employed by more than one organisation. Detailed design of individual structural details and components can be passed to specialist contractors. In these circumstances the client should appoint a lead designer or other appropriately experienced and qualified person to oversee the design process. Technical Handbook 2010 Guidance on Procurement

………Such schemes are approved on the basis that the procedures adopted by the scheme will take account of the need to co- ordinate the work of various designers and specialist contractors………. Technical handbook Certification Schemes

Technical handbook S1.1.1 Fixings The SCOSS committee has expressed concern that safety critical fixings do not always receive the attention that they deserve……. ….. Designers must be satisfied that fixings receive the same consideration as other aspects of the design …….

Information To Be Supplied With a Warrant Application The Building Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations; Schedule 2 to Regulation 4(2) Plus S4(3) Any further information or additional plans that the verifier requires

STAGED WARRANTS  Commencement before all design information is known – One Warrant Application with staged amendments (Freedom to Agree stages with Verifier)  Conditional grant of Warrant  Separate design certificates for each staged amendment  One completion certificate & One Q Form

PRE - WARRANT DESIGN CHANGES  No Warrant Amendment Required therefore no amendment certificate - but  Verifier may request new design certificate – or  Contact SER to have certificate redated Care required to ensure that warrant plans relate to certified design (guidance note 8)

POST WARRANT DESIGN CHANGES Type of Change Change to certified work Change affecting certified work Change not affecting certified work Certifier Action Redesign and issue new certificate Verifier may request confirmation letter

METHODS OF DESIGN COMPLIANCE  Eurocode design deemed compliance (2010 Standards) Technical Handbooks S1.1.3 Reference to Assumptions in BS EN 1990 and “Those responsible for procuring the design …. based on Structural Eurocodes ….. should ensure that they have employed individuals with the necessary ….. experience and that appropriate procedures for checking designs have been adopted.”

S1.0.5 Technical handbooks Alternative Approached British standards BBA Agrément Certificates Small Buildings Structural Guidance

Sections On : Stability Foundations Masonry walls Timber Frame Walls Timber floors & Roof Members

Completion Certificates & Form Q Building Scotland Act 2003 Section 17 (1) After the completion of the work or conversion in respect of which a building warrant has been granted, the relevant person must submit to the verifier a completion certificate certifying: (a) that the work was carried out …… in accordance with the building warrant, and (b) …….the building as constructed complies with building regulations (c) … the building as converted complies with building regulations.

MULTIPLE PLOT COMPLETIONS Dwellings - separate completion for each unit –Separate form Q for each unit Or –Letter confirming schedule 1 items that relate to that unit Other Building Types may only require single completion certificate

SCOTTISH TYPE APPROVAL SCHEME (STAS)  Operated By Local Authorities  Provides Standard System Design Approvals  Two Stage Certification  Stage 1- STAS Certificate  Stage 2 – Confirmation Certificate  No Form Q Procedure  Plans & Certificates to be lodged electronically with SER