9. Code of Practice For Building Regulations Site Inspections

Introduction

This Code of Practice has been prepared to advise any person carrying out building work of their expectations and obligations when an inspection is requested. It will also assist the Council in achieving the objectives of the adopted Building Control Policy and will, through monitoring, help maintain the quality of service given by the Building Control Group.

The Council will inspect works on site at regular and defined stages subject to 'adequate notification' being received.

Inspections of certain stages of work

We will as far as possible inspect:-

• all work which is the subject of statutory notices served upon the Council by a 'builder' in accordance with Building Regulations - within the specified period;
  
  
• structural members before being covered;
  
  
• unusual designs or methods of construction;
  
  
• work relating to means of escape in case of fire;
  
  
• any type of work, construction or material which, if not verified, could cause defects which may be seriously detrimental to public health, safety or welfare.

Statutory Notification - Notice of Commencement and Completion of certain stages of work

It is the obligation of the person carrying out the work to give at least two working days notice in writing of their intention to commence work.

Verbal requests giving one 'working day's' notice will be accepted for notification of the following stages of work:-

• foundation excavation;
  
  
• foundation concrete;
  
  
• the covering of the site (oversite) prior to concrete being laid;
  
  
• damp proof course/damp proof membrane;
  
  
• drainage before covering over;
  
  
• drainage (testing) after covering over. It remains the obligation of the person carrying out the work to give notice of the covering over of drainage not more than five working days after the completion of that work.

Final written notice of completion must be given not more than 5 working days after the completion of works, or at least 5 working days prior to the occupation of the building.

Relaxation of statutory notification required

We will:-

• where workload permits, carry out inspections on the same day as the request is made provided the request is received by 10.00 a.m. of a working day. (Notification of commencement and completion of works must still be made in writing.)

Acceptable forms of inspection request

We will accept inspection requests made in one of the following formats:-

• written notification given in person or hand delivered to the Planning Section;
  
  
• verbal request made at the Planning Section;
  
  
• verbal request made by telephone to the Planning Section;
  
  
• verbal request received on the Building Control Group’s Answerphone.

Any request for an inspection should provide the following information:-

• the Building Control reference number;
  
  
• the site address and description of works in progress;
  
  
• the type of inspection requested;
  
  
• the name and contact telephone number of the person requesting the inspection;
  
  
• the preferred time of inspection.

Completion Certificates

Upon satisfactory completion of works we will:-

• issue a Completion Certificate to the owner of works carried out under a Full Plans application after a completion inspection has been requested and has taken place revealing all relevant requirements have been satisfied;
  
  
• give a Fire Safety Completion Certificate to the owner of premises designated under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, where a completion inspection of Fire Safety provisions has been requested and all relevant requirements have been satisfied.

Letters of Completion

We will, where the Building Notice procedure is followed and where a written request has been received:-

• issue a confirmation of completion letter after a completion inspection has been requested and has taken place confirming that the works have been finally inspected, and that no contraventions of the Building Regulations 2000 were observed.

Note: ‘Working Day’ means any period of 24 hours commencing at midnight and excludes any Saturday, Sunday, Bank or Public Holiday. ‘Builder’ means the person intending to carry out the building works. ‘Adequate notification’ is as detailed in paragraphs 2 and 3.

For further information and advice please contact the:

Building Control Group
Tel: 01903 221344
Minicom: 01903 204500
E-Mail: planning@worthing.gov.uk

or

Visit our web site at www.worthing.gov.uk/planning

A leaflet version of this Code of Practice is available in large print from our office.

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