1. The assigned certifier conference 2019
Cormac Bradley
3rd April 2019

2. Who is the Assigned Certifier? What is their role?

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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
- 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?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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