Competence declaration
A competence declaration is a document that states the confidence of an applicant (usually the client) in the competency of a project team to carry out their roles, and any steps taken to ensure that competency, which covers that of the principal designer, principal contractor, and any other designers and contractors of a project. The client is a organisation or an individual (often a developer or building owner) on behalf of whom, building and design work is being carried out.
The term described in the government Guidance 'Design and building work: meeting building requirements' and 'Managing building control approval applications for higher-risk buildings'. Both of theses documents relate to duties and competences under The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 and The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023.
A competence declaration is likely to be issued as part of set of information such as drawings and plans, a construction control plan, a change control plan, building regulations compliance statement, fire and emergency file etc The guidance above describes the competence declaration as being required to confirm:
- The clients confidence that the principal designer, principal contractor, and any other designers and contractors are competent to carry out their roles
- The steps the client has taken to make sure all of the above are competent to carry out their roles
The competence declaration must also confirm:
- any reasons the principal designer or principal contractor’s competence is called into question
- why they have been appointed despite their competence being questioned
- the steps taken to reduce the risks from appointing them
A competence declaration must be signed by the client. It, along with any other required documents must be submitted to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) prior to the commencement of any work, as part of an application for building control approval. Furthermore the documents must be kept updated throughout and after the construction process in accordance with the golden thread of information and as part of the information to be kept with the building.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- A Higher Bar. Achieving a competence led built environment.
- Building safety certificate.
- Building safety act 2022
- Building safety articles.
- Building safety bill.
- Building Safety Regulator.
- CIAT raises concerns about Building Safety Bill.
- Competence.
- Competence framework.
- Competence framework for project managers in the built environment launched.
- Competence management.
- Competent person.
- Electrical safety.
- Fire and rescue service.
- Fire authority.
- Fire inspector.
- Fire safety bill.
- Fire safety design.
- Fire.
- Fire.
- Golden thread.
- Grenfell articles.
- Grenfell Tower fire.
- Health and safety plan.
- Health and safety.
- Injuries on construction sites.
- Professional.
- Professional conduct.
- Professional practice.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance.
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
- Risk assessment.
- Safety audit.
- Safety briefing.
- Safety management.
- Security.
- Slip and trip hazards.
- What is a hazard?
- Working in confined conditions.
Featured articles and news
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.