Under England鈥檚 new Building Regulations, published in August 2023, every building project must now have a designated principal designer. This is an individual or organisation appointed by the client to take the lead on planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating health & safety and building regulations compliance during the design of a project.
The RIBA principal designer register will enable individual UK RIBA chartered members who have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours to show their competence through a three-stage assessment process: take a test; submit a r茅sum茅 of training, skills and experience; and an interview stage. A subscription fee will apply, and members will need to re-apply every five years.
The register will include a higher competency level for those working on higher-risk buildings (HRBs) 鈥 defined as 18 metres or more in height or having at least seven storeys, and containing at least two residential units.聽
RIBA chair of board Jack Pringle said: 聽鈥淒emands for stronger building safety regulations and higher professional competence has never been greater 鈥 affecting not only architects, but all those involved in the design and construction of buildings.聽聽
鈥淭he RIBA principal designer register, the sector鈥檚 first competency database, provides professionals with a means to demonstrate appropriate professional expertise and, more broadly, to fulfil new Building Safety Act requirements.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 a practical step in the right direction 鈥 a fundamental piece of work that supports the greater, industry-wide culture change to ensure the highest standards of building safety.鈥澛
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