Scottish building services certification schemes
Contents |
[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
Featured articles and news
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.