Certification
Certification supports verification through an optional non-mandatory route for the implementation of building regulations in Scotland and is only relevant to work that requires a building warrant. The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 permits the design or construction of building work to be certified by qualified, experienced, and reputable building professionals and tradespeople as complying with the building regulations without the need for detailed scrutiny of designs (or inspections in certain cases) by Local Authorities.
Structural Design Certification
Structural Engineers Registration Ltd has been appointed by the Scottish Government's Building Standards Division to administer a scheme for Certification of Design (Building Structures)
Energy Design Certification
BRE is a scheme provider for the Approved Certifiers of Design (ACD) Schemes Energy for Domestic (housing) and Non Domestic (commercial) Buildings in Scotland.
Electrical Certification
Certification is based on the principle that suitably qualified and experienced building professionals and tradesmen accept responsibility for ensuring compliance with building regulations
Plumbing Drainage and Heating Certification
Approved Certifiers of Construction are suitably qualified and experienced professionals who operate under, and are registered by, scheme providers such as SNIPEF.
Certification
Certification may only be undertaken by an approved Certifier of Design or an approved Certifier of Construction who is registered in an appropriate approved certification scheme and, where relevant, holds the appropriate designation(s) in such a scheme. They must also be employed by a body (a business or other body) that has been approved as adopting suitably professional practice to provide a certification service, including quality assurance procedures to check compliance with building regulations and is registered in an appropriate approved certification scheme.
The certification system is operated by the Scottish Government's Building Standards Division (BSD) and is delivered through schemes approved by Scottish Ministers. Certification is applicable to both design and construction of building work.
The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced the option of certifying design or the construction of building work as complying with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The certification system is based on the principle that suitably qualified and experienced building professionals and tradesmen can be responsible for ensuring that specified works comply with building regulations.
If you are undertaking building work and you want to find someone who is approved to certify that the work complies with building regulations, you should use the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Certification Register. The register provides lists of approved designers or installers and their contact details.
Certifiers of Design - Structure
Certification supports verification through an optional non-mandatory route for the implementation of building regulations in Scotland and is only relevant to work that requires a building warrant.
The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 permits the design or construction of building work to be certified by qualified, experienced, and reputable building professionals and tradespeople as complying with the building regulations without the need for detailed scrutiny of designs (or inspections in certain cases) by Local Authorities.
The certifying engineer is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of design of the structure of a project satisfy the requirements of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The legislation also makes engineers who are responsible for building structures specifically aware of their responsibilities and duties in the design, thus improving assurance of structural safety.
Certifiers of Design - Energy
Calculating energy use is complex and is becoming more specialised. Energy Design Certifiers can help building owners and developers meet these energy standards and they can issue Certificates of Design which provide assurance of compliance.
The RIAS approve Certifiers of Design (Section 6 – Energy) who are recognised by the Scottish Government as able to help building owners and developers meet these energy standards. Certifiers can issue Certificates of Design which provide an assurance of compliance with regulations and entitles those applying for a building warrant to a reduction in the warrant application fee.
BRE is a scheme provider for the Approved Certifiers of Design (ACD) Schemes Energy for Domestic (housing) and Non Domestic (commercial) Buildings in Scotland.
Certifiers of Construction - Electrical
To become an Approved Certifier an individual must belong to an approved scheme and meet rigorous standards agreed with the Scottish Government Building Standards Division (BSD). They must also be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of building regulations.
SELECT was the first Scheme Provider for the Certification of Construction (Electrical Installations to BS 7671) Scheme and is able to register both Approved Bodies and Approved Certifiers of Construction.
Building Services Certification for electrical contractors working in Scotland.
SNIPEF Certification - Plumbing Heating & Drainage
SNIPEF operates the Approved Certifier of Construction Scheme (ACCS) which was approved by Scottish Ministers in December 2009 and allows individuals (Approved Certifiers of Construction) to “self-certify” drainage, plumbing and heating work which is subject to a Building Warrant. The Approved Certifier must be directly employed by a business (Approved Body) who must be a member of the plumbing industry licensing scheme or at least meet the criteria of the scheme which is operated by SNIPEF.
You will be able to “Self-Certify” (as long as you have demonstrated your technical competency) above or below ground drainage, heating installations (gas, oil, solid fuel boilers), unvented systems, micro-renewables (biomass, solar and heat pumps) and electrical work associated with any of these installations, which is subject to a building warrant.
Non-Certified Work
This guidance provides an approach to risk assessing certifiable work based on good practice, it takes the opportunity to make this good practice more widely known, and it provides the opportunity for a more consistent approach to risk assessing nationwide. The result is this suite of LABSS guidance notes drafted with contributions from the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division, the various certification scheme providers and, of course, the LABSS membership.