In response to concerns over an impending crisis in the building control sector, inspectors in England have been granted a crucial extension of 13 weeks to demonstrate their competence. This news is good because there were worries about councils having trouble providing important building control services due to a shortage of qualified professionals.

The Building Safety Act 2022, introduced in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, mandated building control inspectors to register with the Building Safety Regulator and undergo accreditation by 6th April 2024. However, accreditation bodies warned of a potential shortfall in qualified inspectors, prompting apprehension about the industry’s capacity to meet the deadline.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has responded to these concerns by announcing a 13-week extension in England, shifting the deadline to 6th July 2024. This extension grants inspectors additional time to complete their competence assessments while ensuring they remain registered with the regulator to continue their work.

Lorna Stimpson, Chief Executive of Local Authority Building Control, hailed the extension as a boon for the profession, allowing building control teams to operate smoothly and minimising disruption to the construction industry. However, she emphasised the importance of meeting the registration deadline with the Building Safety Regulator.

Richard Harral, Interim Chief Executive at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, echoed this sentiment, lauding the extension as a crucial step to ensure building control professionals can complete their competence assessments effectively.

With over 3,000 inspectors already registered at Class 1 or above and all competence assessment schemes operating at full capacity, the building control sector is making significant strides towards compliance with the new regulations.

As of 14th March, 3,261 professionals have initiated their registration applications with the HSE. While the exact number of employed building control professionals in the UK remains unclear, estimates suggest it ranges between 4,000 and 5,000.

This extension provides a vital lifeline for building control professionals, enabling them to fulfil their obligations while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism in the construction industry.

Read the original article on Housing Today

Advantage’s Take:

At Advantage, we understand the critical role that building control inspectors play in ensuring the safety and compliance of construction projects. The extension granted by the Health and Safety Executive is a welcome development, providing much-needed relief to inspectors and safeguarding the integrity of the building control process.

Our commitment to supporting the construction industry remains unwavering. As a trusted provider of structural insurance and warranties, we recognise the importance of competent and qualified building control professionals in maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.

We encourage all building control inspectors to take full advantage of the extended deadline to complete their competence assessments effectively. By doing so, they contribute to the overall resilience and effectiveness of the building control sector, ensuring the continued success of construction projects across the country.

For more information on how Advantage can support your construction project with comprehensive insurance and warranty solutions, contact us today.