Building Regulations Principal Designer Services

The Building Safety Act 2022 came into force in April 2023. Under the Act, several secondary regulations have been introduced, and existing regulations have been amended.  These include the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, which took effect in October 2023, and new legislation governing higher-risk building work: the Building (Higher-Risk Building Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023.  

The regulations introduced new duties for duty holders in the design, construction, and operational phases of a building.  If your project falls outside the definition of minor works, it will require compliance with these new duties. It applies to any project where a Building Regulations application is required, and when more than 1 entity is involved, be that more than one Contractor or Designer. This means that any project subject to the Building Regulations 2010 must also comply with the duty holders’ requirements.  

If your project qualifies as a High-Risk Building (HRB), it will need to comply with a new regulatory framework for construction project delivery.  

The duty holders, as defined by the Building Regulations, are:   

• Client  
• Building Regulations Principal Designer  
• Designers 
• Building Regulations Principal Contractor  
• Contractors 

Vextrix has the demonstrable competence to undertake the duties of Building Regulations Principal Designer, as well as provide advisory services to the Client or other party – should they decide to act as BRPD, but require the competency to fulfil the role. Vextrix offers a comprehensive range of Building Regulations support services through tailored solutions.  

Building Regulations Principal Designer Appointment 

When appointed as the Building Regulations (BR) Principal Designer, our Senior Principal Designer, Building Regulations,  will oversee design development to ensure compliance with Building Regulations requirements by: 

• Coordinating the design, designers, and design decisions to achieve compliance with the relevant requirements.  
• Tracking decisions and compiling evidence to demonstrate compliance with each requirement under Schedule 1.  
• Delivering a fully compliant design through a planned and structured approach.  
• Signing off the compliance declaration.  

Support to a Building Regulations Principal Designer (BR Principal Designer/BSA  Principal Designer) 

We assist the Building Regulations (BR) Principal Designer in complying with duties  under the Building Regulations by:  

• Planning, managing, and monitoring compliance with the relevant requirements, including Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations.  
• Producing and regularly updating the relevant requirements tracker.  
• Identifying, requesting, and gathering evidence to demonstrate compliance with the relevant Building Regulations requirements.  
• Providing ongoing advice on compliance with the Building Regulations duties, including, where applicable, the Building (Higher-Risk Building Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023.  
• Building confidence among duty holders through a structured approach to support the signing of the compliance declaration at project completion. 

Support to a Building Regulations Principal Contractor 

We assist the Principal Contractor in complying with their duties under the Building  Regulations by:  

• Advising on their duties under the Building Regulations.  
• Coordinating the collation of information, as well as raising and recording design  concerns and actions.  
• Production of documents required to achieve compliance with the Duty Holders Regulations.  

Support with Procedures, Processes, and Policies 

We assist in creating and implementing procedures and policies to build confidence  among designers and contractors in complying with duties under the Building  Regulations.  

• Produce a procedure for Building Regulations – Duty Holders Regulations.  
• Develop step-by-step processes that employees can follow during project delivery.  
• Create templates for gathering the evidence required for compliance with BR duties.  

Who Can We Support? 

Architects 

• Support in delivering a BR/BSA Principal Designer role.  
• Assistance in developing policies, processes, and procedures.  

Contractors/Principal Contractors (on design and build contracts appointed as  Building Regulations Principal Designers and Principal Contractors)

• Support in delivering the BR/BSA Principal Designer and Principal Contractor roles.  
• Assistance in developing policies, processes, and procedures.  

Clients

• Support with client duties on a project.  
• Assistance with the appointment of a Building Regulations Principal Designer on a project.  
• Development of policies and procedures for client organisations.  

We will guide clients, Principal Designers, and Principal Contractors in the practical  application of duties under the Building Regulations 2023, and support project teams  in collating evidence to demonstrate compliance.  Through a structured approach, Vextrix aims to build confidence in the design  development process for all members of the project team, ensuring compliance and  providing assurance in the safety of the designed building.  

To find out more about our Principal Designer Building Regulations Services and how our experienced team can support you contact us below.