Scottish building services certification schemes

[edit] Introduction

A new building standards system for Scotland was introduced by The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 intended to improve standards and simplify the approval of design and construction for owners of buildings, verifiers (currently the local authorities) and the industry.

Competent individuals can be appointed as Approved Certifiers of Design and Approved Certifiers of Construction, which gives them the authority to certify the work they undertake as part of a building warrant is compliant with building regulations. This negates the needs for detailed scrutiny by verifiers.

[edit] How certification schemes work

A certification scheme is proposed by an industry organisation and then developed with the Scottish Government Building Standards Division, before being approved by Scottish Ministers. At least one Scheme Provider is then appointed to operate the scheme.

It is possible for any individual or firm to become a member of a scheme if they meet the relevant entry criteria. Any building professional, such as plumbers, engineers and electricians, with the appropriate experience and qualifications can join a relevant scheme as an Approved Certifier.

[edit] Types of certification scheme

There are currently five schemes that have been approved:

• Certification of Design (Building Structures) – open to chartered structural or civil engineers who can certify the structural design of new buildings. Further information is available from the Structural Engineers Registration Ltd.
• Certification of Design (Section 6 – Energy) for Domestic Buildings – open to qualified energy design professionals who can certify the energy design of the building and ensure it is energy efficient with low carbon emissions. Further information is available from the Building Research Establishment and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
• Certification of Design (Section 6 – Energy) for Non-Domestic Buildings - open to qualified energy design professionals who can certify the energy design of the building and ensure it is energy efficient with low carbon emissions. Further information is available from the Building Research Establishment.
• Certification of Construction (Electrical Installations to BS7671) – open to trained and qualified electricians who can certify the electrical installation work is safe and meets both the building regulations and British Standard BS7671. The Scheme Providers are SELECT and NICEIC.
• Certification of Construction (Drainage, Heating and Plumbing) – open to trained and qualified plumbers who will carry out work on drainage, installation of heating systems and installation of certain micro-generation systems ensuring the work complies with the applicable standards. The provider is the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF).

[edit] Register

The Scottish Government Building Standards Division hold a current list of all Approved Bodies and Approved Certifiers on a register.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.

• Approved documents.
• Approved inspector.
• Building control bodies.
• Building warrant (Scotland).
• CIOB Value of Construction: Scotland report.
• Drying room - Scotland.
• Eight organisations form engineering services alliance.
• Low carbon building standards strategy for Scotland.
• Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation SNIPEF.
• Scottish building standards.
• Scottish planning policy.
• Scottish planning and architecture documents.
• SELECT Scotland's Electrical Trade Association.
• Sewers For Scotland.
• Statutory approvals.
• Statutory authorities.
• United Kingdom.

[edit] External references

• Building Research Establishment Scheme.
• Certification register.
• NICEIC.
• SELECT.
• Scottish Building Services Certification.
• Structural Engineers Registration Ltd.