Salus is proud to announce that it has been officially awarded its Registered Building Control Approver, RBCA license, marking a significant milestone under the UK’s updated building safety regulations. This achievement solidifies Salus’ position as a trusted leader in building control services and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in the industry.
As of October 1, 2023, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) became the sole Building Control Authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England, including residential buildings over 18 meters or seven stories, hospitals, and care homes that meet the same height criteria. The new regulatory framework means that developers can no longer choose their building control body for HRBs and must now apply directly to the BSR for approvals at three critical gateway points during construction.
What the RBCA license means
Under the Building Safety Act and the Building Safety Regulator, all parties involved in the project have new responsibilities and duties to ensure buildings are safe and all parties are accountable for their part of the process.
The designers are accountable and responsible for their designs and the contractors are accountable and responsible for what they build. Under the new regime for the control of buildings the Registered Building Inspectors’ role is to review , challenge and approve the works, they are not provide advice on how to comply or to provide design solutions.
The completion process has also changed as it has become the duty holders responsibility to confirm that the building is compliant, to the best of their knowledge, these declarations may be after the contractual practical completion for the scheme. The building control approver then needs sufficient time to undertake the due diligence on the scheme to ensure all items of the process are closed out correctly. It is imperative that you liaise with your Registered Building Inspector over the timings for final certificate to ensure all parties have sufficient time to complete the processes.
Salus’ registration as an RBCA enables the company to continue providing building control services on all non HRB schemes in line with the new regulations. Under the Building Safety Act 2022, all building control professionals must now be assessed, certified, and registered with the BSR. Salus has successfully met these requirements, demonstrating its ability to operate with the highest level of competence, ensuring safety and compliance across all projects.
Paul Meadows, Director at Salus, stated:
“Receiving our RBCA license is a testament to our team’s dedication to upholding the rigorous standards set by the Building Safety Regulator. We are well-equipped to support our clients through these regulatory changes and deliver excellence in building control across the UK.”
The transition to this new system places a renewed focus on safety and accountability. Salus, through its RBCA status, is uniquely positioned to continue supporting developers and builders in navigating the complexities of the new building control process while ensuring projects meet all regulatory demands.
The registration deadline for all building control professionals in England had been extended to July 6, 2024, offering further opportunity for those in the industry to ensure compliance with the new guidelines. Salus remains committed to leading the way in this evolving landscape, providing reliable and trusted building control services for all types of construction projects.
For more information about how the changes may affect your project or to learn more about Salus’ services as a Registered Building Control Approver our RBCA license, please contact us directly.