Building Standards - What do they do?

In a Scottish local authority, the Building Standards team (also known as the Building Standards service or department) plays a crucial role as a "verifier" appointed by Scottish Ministers. Their primary purpose is to protect the public interest by ensuring that all building work, whether new construction, alterations, extensions, or conversions, complies with the Scottish Building Regulations and Technical Standards. 
 

Here's a breakdown of their key responsibilities and activities:

1. Building Warrant Applications and Approval:
   • Assessment of Plans: They assess submitted building plans (design stage) to ensure they comply with the detailed requirements of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the associated Technical Handbooks (Domestic and Non-Domestic). These handbooks cover aspects like:
     • Structure: Ensuring the building is structurally sound and safe.
     • Fire Safety: Addressing fire compartmentation, escape routes, fire detection, and fire service access.
     • Environment: Covering site preparation, drainage, ventilation, and protection from harmful substances.
     • Safety: Ensuring safe access within and around buildings, electrical safety, and protection from accidents.
     • Noise: Limiting noise transmission.
     • Energy: Promoting energy efficiency, insulation, and sustainable heating systems.
     • Sustainability: Encouraging sustainable development practices.
   • Granting Building Warrants: If the plans meet the regulations, they grant a building warrant, which is legal permission to carry out the proposed work. Starting work without a required warrant can lead to fines.
   • Amendments: They handle applications for amendments to existing building warrants if changes to the design or materials are needed during construction.
2. On-Site Inspections and Compliance:
   • Inspection of Work: While the building owner/developer is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance, the Building Standards team conducts inspections at various stages of construction to verify that the work is being carried out in accordance with the approved building warrant and building regulations.
   • Construction Compliance and Notification Plan (CCNP): They issue a CCNP with the approved warrant, which outlines the stages of construction where the verifier needs to be notified for inspections and checks.
   • Dangerous and Defective Buildings: They have an enforcement role, including investigating and taking action in cases where construction works fail to meet regulations, and ensuring dangerous or defective buildings are made safe, often in partnership with emergency services.
3. Completion Certificates:
   • Assessment of Completion Certificates: Once building work is complete, the owner/developer must submit a completion certificate, confirming that the work complies with the approved building warrant and regulations. The Building Standards team assesses this submission and may conduct final inspections or checks.
   • Acceptance or Rejection: They either accept or reject the completion certificate within a specified timeframe (e.g., 14 days). An accepted completion certificate is legally required before a building can be occupied or used.
4. Advice and Guidance:
   • They provide advice and guidance to homeowners, developers, architects, builders, and other professionals on building regulations, the building warrant process, and how to achieve compliance.
   • They work in partnership with various stakeholders to ensure buildings are designed and constructed to be safe, accessible, energy-efficient, and sustainable.
5. Liaison and Enforcement:
   • They liaison with other departments (e.g., Fire and Rescue Service) on fire risk assessment and health and safety matters, especially for new builds or alterations to licensed and non-domestic premises.
   • They have powers of enforcement under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 if regulations are not met.
6. Continuous Improvement and Development:
   • They contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Scottish building standards system, working with bodies like Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS) and the Scottish Government's Building Standards Division. This includes participating in initiatives like the introduction of the Compliance Plan Manager (CPM) role for high-risk buildings.
   • They aim to ensure national consistency in the building standards service and invest in skills and new technology.

In essence, the Building Standards team acts as the local guardian of building safety, quality, and sustainability in Scotland, ensuring that all construction projects meet the minimum legal standards for the protection of the public.