Building Control Inspections Continue

Building control bodies are being told to undertake normal, regular site inspections where they can be done in a safe way, under new Government COVID-19 guidelines.

The Ministry for Housing, Local Government and Communities (MHCLG) said in an update on the application of Building Regulations during the Coronavirus outbreak said that for all building work being carried out, building control bodies should regularly check in with those who are carrying out the work.

Building control bodies should also continue to asses deposited plants on their merits, and, should ensure that the ‘statutory requirements to consul with fire and rescue authorities and sewage undertakers continue to be met”, it said.

The update also said: “Building control bodies should continue to undertake normal, regular, on-site inspection activity where this can be done safely. In line with Public Health England guidance. Building control bodies may wish to consider the use of alternative methods of checking compliance to supplement physical inspections, for example using digital photographs and video or other remote means of checking compliance. “

Where remote inspections are taking place, building control bodies should ‘satisfy themselves within the limits of their professional skill and care that these remote inspections are used appropriately. Remote inspections should not normally be used as the sole method of assessing compliance.”

The guidance of Building Control Bodies operating in England is in reference to:

1. Temporary healthcare buildings and facilities
2. General guidance for operating during the current period of social distancing.

More information can be found here.

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