Building standards - Early Adopters Scheme: compliance handbook

3. New Compliance Plan Approach

The new CP approach will define and implement (through changes in future legislation) an appropriate and robust building warrant compliance assurance regime.

Its purpose is to demonstrate that the duty imposed on the “relevant person” to certify compliance with building regulations (by signing and submitting a completion certificate to the verifier) is being managed robustly at both the design and construction stages, to deliver a compliant building.

Currently the Construction Compliance and Notification Plan (CCNP) is created and issued by the verifier along with an approved building warrant. The CCNP identifies the inspection stages that the verifier requires to be notified, to provide them the opportunity to inspect and check the project at different stages. The verifier can also agree to the submission of alternative evidence in line with national Verification During Construction guidance.

The new CP approach changes this process for HRBs. The CPM, working with the design team and contractor (if in place), is responsible for developing a CP, in line with the guidance in this handbook. The CP will detail the measures that will be in place to control the work on site and the necessary evidence collated to deliver a compliant building.

The CP is submitted by the CPM to the verifier for provisional agreement at a pre-warrant compliance and procedural assessment stage. It is worth noting that the verifier does not have to accept the CP, as proposed, at this stage. Where insufficient information has been provided or if there is a need for changes to the proposed inspection stages or evidence provided, the verifier will require the CP to be amended.

The agreed in principle CP is then considered again at the building warrant application stage and once content the verifier will issue the CP with the approved building warrant.

At the completion of the project, the CP needs to be fully discharged before the verifier can accept a completion certificate.

The EA compliance plan approach is detailed in Section 5 of this document.