BC(A)R Certification

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We can act as Assigned or Design Certifier to any project, be it domestic or commercial. The roles of assigned & design certifier were introduced in March 2014 by the Dept. of the Housing Planning & Local Government as outlined below;

THE BUILDING CONTROL (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, S.I. 9

Background Information

The Current System – prior to BC(A)R

There is no statutory lodgement and approval system for Building Control Regulations in Ireland, other than a statutory lodgement and approval system for Disability Access and Fire Safety Certificates.

The BC(A)R System – from March 2014

This Client Guidance Note provides a summary of key aspects of BC(A)R 2014.

  •   From 1st March 2014, all building types, except for extensions to domestic dwellings of less than 40m2, are included in the BC(A)R 2014, and may only be designed and certified by a Registered Architect, Chartered Engineer and Chartered Building Surveyor.
  •   Published in the BC(A)R 2014 legislation are Statutory Certificates and a Code of Practice for design and construction.Building Owner’s Obligations under BC(A)RBuilding owners will be required to appoint, for almost any building or works starting from March 2014 onward, a Design Certifier and an Assigned Certifier as well as a competent Builder. The building owner’s obligations include:
  •   Give a written undertaking on a statutory form to the Building Control Authority to appoint a competent Design Team to design the new building in accordance the Building Regulations.
  •   Give a written undertaking on a statutory form to the Building Control Authority to appoint a competent Builder to construct the new building in accordance the Building Regulations.
  •   Give a written undertaking on a statutory form to the Building Control Authority to appoint acompetent Assigned Certifier who will prepare an Inspection Plan, inspect and certify, with the Builder, that the new building, when complete, is built in accordance the Building Regulations.Registration of Builders and Sub-Contractors
  •   The Construction Industry Federation, representing Builders in Ireland, have launched information on a voluntary register of builders and sub-contractors on: www.ciri.ie.
  •   This voluntary register will have a code of practice and a sanctions procedure whereby builders can be struck off the register.
  •   A Statutory Register of Builders is proposed to be established in 2015.

Building Owner and Design Team Administrative Procedures before Construction

  •   14 -28 days before the construction of the Building starts on site, the Building Owner issues a statutory Commencement Notice to the Building Control Authority.
  •   With the Commencement Notice the Design Team issues a Statutory Certificate, with back up drawings and information, confirming the Building is designed in compliance with the Building Regulations.
  •   The Assigned Certifier issues an Inspection Plan to the Building Control Authority.
  •   The Builder signs and issues a Statutory Certificate confirming they will construct inaccordance with the Building Regulations.Lodgement of the Commencement Notice
    • The Commencement Notice is submitted electronically, together with the drawings, specification, design philosophy, Fire Safety and Disability Access Certificates.
    • The 34 Building Control Authorities will be centralised for the purpose of BC(A)R.
    • A Framework of standards will be provided as guidance on how Building Control willoperate, with standardised procedures for all Authorities.
    • The Building Control Authority carries out a risk analysis/inspection system, of the Design,Inspection Plan, and the Builder.
    • The Building Control Authority may seek additional information, from the Building Owner,Design Team, Assigned Certifier and Builder during the construction process.
    • The Building Control Authority by table top risk analysis can devise inspection scheduleswhen design, construction, materials, site location are identified as being problematic.The Role of the Assigned Certifier and Builder, During the Construction Stage
    • The Assigned Certifier will implement the Inspection Plan with the Builder.
    • The Assigned Certifier will collate certificates, sub-certificates, ancillary certificates,warranties and tests as set out in the Inspection Plan, with the Builder.
    • The Assigned Certifier will respond to requests for additional information by the BCA.The Role of the Assigned Certifier and the Builder at CompletionThe Assigned Certifier and the Builder having collated all the required certificates identified in the Inspection Plan, collected from all those identified, sub-contractors, suppliers, testers, manufacturers and are satisfied that the building is built in accordance with the Building Regulations, co-sign the Statutory Completion Certificate and lodge it with the BCA, 3 -5 weeks in advance of the Completion date. The Building will not be permitted to be occupied, used or rented, without the building being placed on the Building Control Authority Register.