Approved inspector

Revision as of 12:37, 27 March 2014

The building regulations require that a projects compliance with the regulations is independently verified. Historically this verification could only be given by local authorities, however, it can now also be provided by a privately appointed approved inspector. Approved inspectors can be individuals or organisations. They must be registered with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) who provide a list of approved inspectors. Approved inspectors must themselves be re-approved every five years, and must have insurance from a scheme approved by the Secretary of State, which includes mandatory run-off cover.

If the client decides to appoint an approved inspector, they and the approved inspector must jointly notify the local authority of the intended building project by submitting an 'initial notice'. The local authority will then place responsibility for building regulations verification on the approved inspector.

This might require the approved inspector to:

• Provide the client with advice on the building regulations.
• Give advice regarding the information that needs to be submitted.
• Check proposals for compliance with the building regulations.
• Issue a plans certificate if that has been requested.
• Inspect work as it progresses.
• Issue a final certificate.

It is important to ensure that a completion certificate (sometimes called notice of approval, or final certificate - although this can cause confusion with a contractual final certificate) is obtained as evidence that the works comply with the regulations. NB Under changes to the building regulations made in December 2012, completion certificates must be given, they do not need to be requested. The Secretary of State (or an approved body) will maintain a central register of notices of approval and declarations of insurance for approved inspectors.

If the approved inspector does not believe the works comply with the building regulations they will not issue a completion certificate. If disagreement arises between the client and the approved inspector, which cannot be resolved, they may cancel the initial notice, and responsibility for verifying compliance with with building regulations is then likely to revert to the local authority.

The Building Act also allows individuals and organisations that are considered sufficiently competent, to join a competent persons scheme, and then to self-certify that their work has been carried out in compliance with the building regulations and to issue a certificate to the client. Their ability to self-certify is limited to those areas of the works in which they are considered sufficiently competent.

NB from 31 March 2014, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Welsh Government Ministers have transferred responsibility for approving Approved Inspectors to CICAIR Limited, a subsidiary of the Construction Industry Council (Ref CIC, CIC launches CICAIR Limited 27 March 2014).

Find out more

Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Appointment.
• Approved documents.
• Building Act.
• Building regulations.
• Client.
• Final certificate.
• Licensing.
• Planning permission.
• Statutory approvals.

External references

• Communities and Local Government guidance on self-certification.
• Construction Industry Council (CIC)
• CIC: List of approved inspectors.
• The Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010.