Building Standards – Ireland
We offer our clients a class-leading regulatory & consultancy Building Standards service that is specifically co-ordinated to meet the responsibilities of the BCAR processes – with ISO 17020 accredited Assigned Certifier, Fire Safety and Access Consultancy, together with Health and Safety Consultancy and PSDP.
Leaders in building regulations and safety consultancy
Our Assigned Certifier, PSDP, Health & Safety and Fire & Access teams focus on flexibility, offering both proactive and commercially driven support that helps our clients to identify, address and fulfil compliance obligations across all types of projects.
Assigned certifier services
As one of the leading independent third-party Assigned Certifiers in Ireland, with offices in Dublin and Cork, we can take charge of the BCAR process. The Assigned Certifier is the registered professional appointed to be responsible for overseeing the inspections and certification process in Ireland.
We engender a culture of compliance within the team and are always ready to offer expert advice and guidance. Our system is not overly complex and is driven by client needs.
Following the guidelines in the Code of Practice, we operate a standard suite of documents, utilise a bespoke software application and together with our robust quality assurance procedures, we provide a proactive and pragmatic approach to compliance.
Working across all sectors we ensure a timely delivery of the completed project, prompt certification of completion and inclusion of the building on the register to allow occupation. We can also offer design certifier and compliance consultant roles to offer targeted compliance solutions for every project.
What is an Assigned Certifier?
The Assigned Certifier is assigned by the Building Owner as required under the Building Control Regulations. They undertake to inspect, and to co-ordinate the inspection activities of others during construction, and to certify the building or works on completion.
The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No.9 of 2014), known as BCAR, set out the roles of Design Certifier and Assigned Certifier. These roles can only be carried out by competent registered professionals, such as Registered Architects, Chartered Engineers and Chartered Building Surveyors.
The Assigned Certifier is appointed by the Building Owner to develop an inspection plan, inspect and coordinate inspections with other members of the professional design team and certify the compliance of the building or works with the Building Regulations. In the BCAR process the Assigned Certifier coordinates collating certification, inspection records and the submission of appropriate documentation to show compliance upon completion. Professionals acting as Assigned Certifiers are bound by the Code of Ethics and professional best practice.
When is an Assigned Certifier Required?
All new buildings and existing buildings which undergo an extension, a material alteration or a material change of use must be designed and constructed in compliance with the Building Regulations. Where there is a requirement for a Fire Safety Certificate FSC, this leads to a requirement for a Disability Access Certificate DAC and the requirement for a BCAR process. Where a BCAR process is required then an Assigned Certifier and Design Certifier are required.
Health & Safety
Sweco Ireland delivers Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) and Health and Safety consultancy services.
Our experts have extensive experience across industry sectors and offer innovative and creative solutions to safety and health management throughout the whole lifecycle of projects that fall under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.
Our collaborative and proactive approach helps to integrate health and safety into design and construction processes, offering extra value and reassurance to both clients and end users.
Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP)
The role of the PSDP is central for ensuring the health and safety of all parties involved in a construction project. Sweco can undertake this role on your behalf, ensuring that your project adheres to the highest standards of safety and compliance.
The Importance of the PSDP in the Construction Regulations 2013
The Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and its role as outlined in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 and how Sweco can assist you in undertaking this important role for your projects. The PSDP plays a central role in:
- Risk Assessment: Identifying any hazards at the earliest possible stage in the design process, evaluating risks, and finding ways to eliminate or control them.
- Coordination and Communication: Ensuring effective communication and cooperation between various stakeholders, including designers, contractors, and clients.
- Preparation of Safety and Health Plans: Compiling a safety and health plan that is project-specific and tailored to address the risks and challenges of the construction project.
- Monitoring Compliance: Checking that designers comply with their statutory obligations regarding safety and health.
How Sweco can help
Our Health & Safety team provide advice, assistance and resources during the design process to ensure that all projects comply with the construction safety regulations.
Our experts have extensive experience across industry sectors and offer innovative and creative solutions to safety and health management throughout the whole lifecycle of projects that fall under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. Our collaborative and proactive approach helps to integrate health and safety into design and construction processes, offering extra value and reassurance to both clients and end users.
With vast industry expertise and comprehensive, joined-up health and safety services, we can effectively undertake this role on your behalf, ensuring that your project adheres to the highest standards of safety and compliance.
Our Sweco Ireland Health & Safety team offer innovative and creative solutions, covering compliance for projects relating to all relevant regulations. Our highly qualified and experienced team deliver projects in a cooperative, inclusive and cost-effective way offering extra value and reassurance to our clients.
- Expert Knowledge: Sweco has a deep understanding of the Construction Regulations 2013 and compliance. Sweco will guide you and your project team through the regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance.
- Bespoke Safety Plans: Sweco create a bespoke Safety and Health Plan that takes into consideration the specific aspects of your project, ensuring that potential hazards and risks are addressed effectively and efficiently.
- Risk Management: Our experience in identifying and assessing risks allows us to provide the project team with effective mitigation strategies throughout the design phase.
- Communication and Coordination: Our processes facilitate smooth communication between all stakeholders. This can help ensure that safety and health are integral parts of the decision-making process during the design phase.
- Documentation and Reporting: We deal with of all the necessary documentation, ensuring that records are maintained, and reports are submitted in compliance with the regulations.
What is the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP)?
The Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) is a mandatory role established under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 in Ireland.
The purpose is to oversee and manage health and safety during the design phase of a project.
The aim is to ensure that potential risks are identified and eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
When is a PSDP required?
Under the Construction Regulations 2013, the appointment of a PSDP is compulsory for most construction projects in Ireland.
A PSDP is required if the works last longer than 30 days or 500 person days or the works involve a ‘particular risk’ or there is more than one contractor.
Fire & Access Consultancy
- Delivering fire safety, disability access and compliance.
- Fire strategy development
- Fire Safety Certificate FSC delivery, inspection and certification
- Disability Access Certificate DAC delivery, inspection and certification
- Auditing, inspecting and certification in compliance with Part B Fire and Part M Access
- Fire Safety Audits and Assessments
- Fire Safety Consultancy
- Accessibility Consultancy
- Fire risk assessments and due dilligence
- Inspection and Ancillary certification
Fire Safety Certificate support
The Fire Safety Certificate application consists of a Compliance Report (addressing compliance with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations. Detailed marked up drawings to show the fire safety elements of the building. We prepare, submit and administer the FSC application. We liaise with the Design Team and with the Fire Officer in order to gain a granted Fire Safety Certificate.
Disability Access Advisory
A Disability Access Certificate DAC is mandatory where a Fire Safety Certificate is required. The Disability Access Certificate application consists of a Compliance Report (addressing compliance with Part M (Access) of the Building Regulations. Detailed marked up drawings to show the access and use elements of the design. We liaise with the Design Team and with Local Authority Building Controlin order to gain a granted Disability Access Certificate.
As part of Sweco Building Standards Ireland our Fire & Access Team deliver expert consultancy and Fire Safety Certificates, Disability Access Certificates, ancillary inspections and certification.
Helen Duffy
Building Standards Consultancy
