Understanding the Principal Designer Role Under the Building Safety Act 2022
The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 and subsequent amendments to the Building Regulations (Buildings etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023) marks a pivotal shift in construction industry regulations. For architects, clients, and contractors alike, understanding the changes to the Principal Designer role is critical. At Halliday Clark Architects, we’ve embraced this new regulatory framework to provide expert Principal Designer services, ensuring safety and compliance at every stage of the design process. Here's an overview of what this means for our clients and projects.
What Is a Principal Designer?
The role of Principal Designer has been in place since the introduction of the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations in 2015. Traditionally, this role involves managing health and safety during the pre-construction phase of a project. Key responsibilities under CDM include:
Planning, managing, and monitoring health and safety risks in the design phase.
Collaborating with the design team to minimize hazards for workers and building occupants.
We have successfully offered this service to clients for many years, integrating health and safety considerations seamlessly into our design processes.
New Requirements Under the Building Safety Act 2022
The Building Safety Act introduces a new layer of responsibility for Principal Designers, distinct from their duties under CDM regulations. As part of the updated Building Regulations, every project requiring a Building Regulations application now requires the appointment of two "principal duty holders", a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor.
Expanded Responsibilities for Principal Designers
Under the new Building Regulations, the Principal Designer’s role focuses on ensuring compliance with Schedule 1 of the regulations, which covers key aspects such as:
Structural safety.
Materials and workmanship.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Specific responsibilities include:
Design Coordination: Ensuring all design elements comply with relevant Building Regulations.
Compliance Monitoring: Taking "all reasonable steps" to confirm alignment with safety and performance requirements.
Oversight of Design Work: Coordinating across the design team while individual designers remain accountable for their work.
This increased accountability reflects Dame Judith Hackitt’s vision for stronger industry-wide oversight, following the findings of the Grenfell inquiry.
Our Approach to Meeting the New Regulations
At Halliday Clark, we have developed a suite of deliverables to ensure full compliance and transparency for our clients. These include:
Building Regulations Relevant Requirement Tracker: A comprehensive document that records the compliance pathway for each applicable functional requirement.
Enhanced Design Reviews: Additional time allocated to liaise with designers and duty holders, ensuring compliance across all project aspects.
Competence Declarations: Required for high-risk building (HRB) projects, affirming that the team meets stringent skill and experience criteria.
Building Regulations Compliance Statements: Supporting HRB Building Control approval applications with clear evidence of compliance.
High-Risk Building (HRB) Specific Requirements
For HRB projects, such as high-rise residential buildings, the stakes are even higher. Additional responsibilities include:
Conducting detailed inspections during construction to ensure adherence to safety-critical design elements.
Monitoring fire safety and structural integrity issues that could pose significant risks to life.
These measures align with the most significant regulatory changes in decades, as highlighted by the RIBA.
Why Choose Architects as Principal Designers?
The expanded Principal Designer role increases liabilities and sanctions, but as architects, we are uniquely positioned to take on these responsibilities. Our expertise allows us to:
Reassert control over the design phase.
Seamlessly integrate compliance requirements into the creative process.
Provide clients with peace of mind, knowing that their projects meet the highest safety and regulatory standards.
Contact Halliday Clark Today
If you’re embarking on a project and need an experienced, knowledgeable Principal Designer, we’re here to help. With our proactive approach to compliance and commitment to excellence, Halliday Clark Architects ensures your project is not only compliant but also executed with the highest levels of professionalism and care.
Get in touch to discuss your project needs and how we can support you under the new Building Safety Act regulations.
