Competent persons schemes were introduced by the Government to allow individuals and enterprises to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations as an alternative to submitting a building notice or using an approved inspector.
The principles of self-certification are based on giving people who are competent in their field the ability to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations without the need to submit a building notice and thus incurring local authority inspections or fees. It is hoped that moving towards self-certification will significantly enhance compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations, reduce costs for firms joining recognised schemes, and promote training and competence within the industry. It should also help tackle the problem of 'cowboy builders', and assist local authorities with enforcement of the Building Regulations.
Why were competent persons schemes introduced?
The rationale behind the schemes is to authorise, on the basis of risk to health and safety, schemes whose members are adjudged sufficiently competent in their work to self-certify that their work has been carried out in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Building Regulations.
The schemes offer benefits to both consumers and industry. Consumers will benefit from lower prices as building control fees are not payable. They also benefit from reduced delays and from the ability to identify competent firms. Firms who join these schemes will avoid the time and expense of submitting a building notice. The schemes will also allow local authority building control departments to concentrate their resources on the areas of highest risk.
How does a company or individual become a scheme member?
Membership of these schemes is not compulsory, apart from the Gas Safe scheme. Businesses carrying out work covered by the Building Regulations may choose to join the schemes if they judge membership to be beneficial. Alternatively they may choose to continue to use local authority Building Control or to employ a private sector Approved Inspector.
If a company or individual chooses to join a competent persons scheme, they are first vetted to ensure they meet the conditions of membership, including appropriate and relevant levels of competence. If they meet these conditions they are classified as 'competent persons'. The work of organisations or individuals accepted as members of a scheme is not subject to Building Control inspection. Instead, the competent person self-certifies that the work is in compliance with the Building Regulations. They issue a certificate to the consumer to this effect. In some schemes they then report the work to the scheme organisers who in turn inform the local authority that work has taken place.
Do these schemes overlap with other construction industry initiatives?
The schemes are designed to recognise and be compatible with other industry schemes that have comparable competence standards, such as Quality Mark scheme and Construction-on-line. Competence is judged according to qualifications and experience taking account of relevant British and European standards.
Existing Competent Person Schemes
Replacement Windows and Doors
FENSA (Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme)
www.fensa.co.uk 0870 780 2028
British Standards Institution (BSI)
www.bsi-global.com 01442 278607
CERTASS Limited
www.certass.co.uk
01292 266636
Heat Producing Gas Appliances and Associated Heating and Hot Water Systems
Installation of a heat producing gas appliance which has a rated heat output of 100 kilowatts or less and is installed in a building with no more than three storeys (excluding any basement) or in a dwelling. Installation of heating or hot water service system connected to a heat producing gas appliance or associated controls.
Gas Safe 0800 408 5500
Combustion appliances - Oil
Installation of:
a) an oil fired combustion appliance which has a rated heat output of 100 kilowatts or less and which is installed in a building with no more than three storeys (excluding any basement) or in a dwelling
b) oil storage tanks and the pipes connecting them to combustion appliances
c) heating and or hot water service systems connected to an oil fired combustion appliance.
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited)
www.hvca.org.uk
0207 313 4900
NAPIT Certification Ltd
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392
OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association Limited)
www.oftec.org.uk
0845 658 5080
Combustion Appliances – Solid Fuel
Installation of:
a) solid fuel burning combustion appliance which has rated heat output of 50 kilowatts or less which is installed in a building with no more than three storeys (excluding any basement) or
b) heating and hot water service systems connected to a solid fuel burning appliance.
HETAS Ltd (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme)
www.hetas.co.uk
01462 634721
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited)
www.hvca.org.uk
0207 313 4900
NAPIT Certification Ltd
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392
Electrical Safety in Dwellings
(a) Full competence schemes
BRE Certification Limited
www.redbooklive.com
01923 664100
British Standards Institution (BSI)
www.kitemarktoday.com
www.bsi-global.com
01442 278607
ELECSA Limited
www.elecsa.org.uk
0870 749 0080
NAPIT Certification Limited
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392
NICEIC Group Limited
www.niceic.org.uk
0800 013 0900
(b) Defined competence schemes
These schemes are designed primarily for those who do electrical installation work in connection with their primary work activities - for example, gas installations, plumbing, kitchen or bathroom fitting, heating installation, security systems.
Gas Safe
0800 408 5500
ELECSA Limited
www.elecsa.org.uk
0870 749 0080
NAPIT Certification Ltd (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392
NICEIC Certification Ltd
www.niceic.org.uk
0800 013 0900
OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association Limited)
www.oftec.org.uk
0845 658 5080
Plumbing, Heating systems and Hot Water Service Systems
Installation of a heating, hot water service system, mechanical ventilation or air conditioning system, or associated controls in a building other than a dwelling.
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited)
www.hvca.org.uk
0207 313 4900
Gas Safe 0800 408 5500
Ventilation and Air Conditioning (dwellings)
Installation of an air conditioning or ventilation system in an existing dwelling which does not involve work on systems shared with other dwellings.
Gas Safe
0800 408 5500
NAPIT Certification Ltd
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392
Ventilation and Air Conditioning (Non Dwellings)
Installation of a heating, hot water service, mechanical ventilation or air conditioning system, or associated controls, in a building other than a dwelling.
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited)
www.hvca.org.uk
0207 313 4900
Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Installation of a commercial kitchen ventilation system which does not involve work on systems shared with parts of the building occupied separately.
Gas Safe
0800 408 5500
Lighting Systems, Electrical Heating Systems and Associated controls
Installation of a lighting system or electric heating system or associated electric controls.
ECA Limited
www.eca.co.uk
020 013 4800
Air Pressure Testing of Buildings
British Institute of Non Destructive Testing (BINDT Limited) ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association) is the part of BINDT which will carry out the testing
www.attma.org
01604 630124
CO² Emission Rate Calculations
FAERO Limited (Federation of Authorised Energy Rating Organisations)
www.faero.co.uk
01788 833386
BRE Certification Ltd
www.redbooklive.com
01923 664100
Installation of a sanitary convenience or bathroom in a dwelling
Gas Safe 0800 408 5500
NAPIT Certification Ltd
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392