Approved Inspector Application

(for individuals and sole traders) / 26 Store Street
London
WC1E 7BT
Tel: 020 7399 7400
Fax: 020 7399 7425

Important note: Please read and follow the Guidance Notes (at the end of this document) when completing this form.

Forename
Surname
Date of Birth
Postal Address
Postcode
Home Telephone
Work Telephone
Mobile
Fax
Email

Important Notes

·  Four copies of the application are required.

·  Print double sided, think of the environment.

·  Pages are numbered sequentially with an index, see next page.

Fees

Application Fee

Please enclose application fee of £3,500 plus VAT made payable to CICAIR Ltd (a VAT receipt will be issued by return). Cheque preferred, but online payment can be made here.

Registration Fee

For registration fees please refer to www.cic.org.uk/services/approval-process.php.

Declaration

We confirm that we have read, understood and followed the guidance notes and hereby state that the information used in the completion of this form and its attachments are correct to the best of my knowledge

Signed
Print Name
Date


Index

Approved Inspector Application 1

Important Notes 2

Fees 2

Declaration 2

Business / Operational Plan 4

Current CV 5

Knowledge Base 6

Legislation & Building Control 7

Business Management & Professional Ethics 8

Construction Technology & Sustainability 9

Fire Studies 10

Structural Design 11

Building Services & Environmental Engineering 12

Quality Management System 13

Training and Recruitment Policy 14

CPD 15

Building Control Performance Standards 16

Complaints Procedure 17

Further Information 18

Guidance Notes 19

Check list for your Submission 20

Once the application forms is completed and before printing, right click within the “index” above and click “Update Field” then choose “Update entire table” in order to update the index

On the pages which follow please include the details requested for the initial paper assessment attaching additional pages as necessary. CICAIR Ltd reserves the right to ask for additional information, and may require follow-up interviews.

Only non-returnable photocopies to be provided of relevant certificates. It is important that you do not submit original certificates because CICAIR Ltd can accept no responsibility for their safekeeping.

Business / Operational Plan

You are required to demonstrate exactly how you will operate, if your application is successful, by providing a business or operational plan.

Current CV

A suitably detailed CV including details of all post qualification experience. Include total employment details with full dates and positions held.

CICAIR Ltd requires that each applicant can demonstrate their competence through post qualification experience. A proportion of that experience should have been gained in an appropriate position of responsibility.

You are asked for a total record of your post qualification experience. In asking for a total record, CICAIR Ltd is recognising that not everyone is continuously employed in a chosen occupation/profession and that voluntary experience could also be relevant.

CICAIR Ltd reserves the right to approach employers/previous employers, as part of the assessment procedure and undertakes to notify applicants before doing so

Please enclose photocopies (as an appendix) of Academic Qualifications i.e. degrees (first and higher), any diplomas and other qualifications.

Please enclose photocopies (as an appendix) of all relevant Professional Qualifications and memberships of professional institutions.

Knowledge Base

Evidence that the complete knowledge base can be achieved within your proposed/actual corporate structure. When this will not be achieved through direct employees, indicate how this is to be dealt with.

Notes

  1. CICAIR Ltd, as the designated body authorised to approve Approved Inspectors to undertake building control work in England and Wales, requires that you demonstrate how your experience and/or qualifications equip you for the duties and responsibilities of an Approved Inspector.
  1. To enable you to meet the requirement, it is recommended that you also complete the knowledge base matrix (available on the CIC website) which contains each of the knowledge base areas and you should demonstrate how your experience/qualifications would meet the criteria as outlined in note 3 below.
  1. The CICAIR Ltd expectation for each knowledge base area are denoted by the use of four key descriptors to identify the level of knowledge required. These are:

·  comprehensive, whereby a candidate would have sufficient knowledge of the subject to make most decisions without specialist assistance.

·  understanding, whereby a candidate would have sufficient knowledge of the complexities involved in order to control the work of others.

·  appreciation, whereby a candidate would have a general background knowledge of the subject, but would require the specialist input of others in tackling the work.

·  awareness, whereby a candidate need only have a superficial knowledge of the subject.

The requirements are set out in descending order of importance to the Approved Inspector role. The highest and most significant level of requirement is comprehensive knowledge. Correspondingly, the lowest level of knowledge for which there is nevertheless a specified requirement is that of awareness.

Applicants should ensure that they address each of the elements of the knowledge base, attaching additional completed pages as necessary.

Legislation & Building Control

  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of current legislation relevant to the Building Control function and the inter-relationship between different aspects of legislation with particular reference to:
  1. Building Act (1984);
  2. Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations;
  3. Building Regulations and Approved Documents;
  4. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005;
  5. Legislation which is specific to England and Wales together with local Acts and Regulations as appropriate;
  6. CLG Circular letters
  7. Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Code of Conduct June 2011
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of other legislation associated with the Building Control function and the inter-relationship between different aspects of legislation including:
  1. Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004
  2. The Housing Acts 1985; 1988; 1996; 2004;
  3. Town and Country Planning Acts.
  4. Licensing Legislation;
  5. Access for Disabled Legislation;
  6. Safety at Sports Grounds Legislation;
  7. Petroleum/Explosives Legislation;
  8. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
  9. Water Bylaws;
  10. Workplace Regulations.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of the requirements concerning welfare, security and safety of the construction staff, visitors to the site, the general public, and building users. This must include an understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

Business Management & Professional Ethics

  1. Please demonstrate using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of business management, the legal system, the sources of the legal framework relevant to the duties of an Approved Inspector, and its practical application with particular reference to:
  1. Duties, responsibilities and liabilities of an Approved Inspector;
  2. Business planning and administration;
  3. Building Control Performance Standards;
  4. Quality Management Systems;
  5. Professional ethics.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of:
  1. The Law of Contract;
  2. Civil and Criminal law;
  3. Case Law;
  4. European laws and regulations;
  5. Law of Agency;
  6. Law of Employment.

NB. You may find it helpful to refer to the Building Control Performance Standards handbook (available from DCLG), when attempting to demonstrate compliance with this requirement.

Construction Technology & Sustainability

  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of construction processes and principles, applicable to the design and construction of buildings, with particular reference to:
  1. The spectrum for domestic, industrial, social and commercial buildings of timber, steel, concrete, masonry, composite and modern methods of construction;
  2. Alterations, improvement, including essential aspects of rehabilitation, preservation and conservation.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of the site investigation techniques prior to the commencement of building operations, with particular reference to:
  1. Site investigation methods;
  2. Laboratory and field test;
  3. Geotechnical processes;
  4. Site clearance;
  5. Contaminated land, including naturally occurring substances;
  6. Environmental risk assessments.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of the manufacture and appropriate use of:
  1. The standard tests applied to common building materials including an understanding of their scientific classification;
  2. CE markings;
  3. Critical evaluation of tests, including the use of re-cycled materials;
  4. BSEN Standards;
  5. European Technical Approvals.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an appreciation of the factors which degrade materials and construction with particular reference to:
  1. Wind, water, fire, radiation and chemical attack;
  2. Moisture, thermal and differential movement;
  3. Restorative and control methods.
  1. Please demonstrate an understanding of sustainability issues including innovative construction methods, with particular reference to:
  1. Sustainable urban drainage systems
  2. BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes
  3. Lifetime Homes Standards
  4. Secured by Design
  5. Renewable and low carbon energy generation

Fire Studies

  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of the principles of the behaviour of fire within buildings with particular reference to:
  1. The combustion process;
  2. Ignition processes, including explosion;
  3. Fire safety design and management;
  4. Fire hazard and risk assessment;
  5. Fire prevention control and fire spread.
  6. Recognition and warning of fire danger;
  7. The behaviour and control of smoke;
  8. Physiological effects of fire and smoke;
  9. Evacuation and escape including special needs (children, elderly and infirm);
  10. Human behaviour.
  11. Smoke/fire detectors;
  12. Sprinklers;
  13. Internal/external access (incl the Fire Service);
  14. Fire modelling and fire engineering techniques;
  15. Conflicting requirements of security and fire safety.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of building design in relation to fire safety?
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience how you feel you are equipped with an appreciation of any conflicting requirements of security and fire safety.

Structural Design

  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of different foundation types, their application and appropriateness.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of factors affecting the design of various types of building structure including an understanding of structural design, calculations and application of construction materials.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of:
  1. The origin, nature, properties and structure of soils and rocks;
  2. The application of soil mechanics, soil testing and associated calculations;
  3. The ability to interpret site investigation reports in relation to the design of foundations including:
  4. Soil contamination and its effects;
  5. The effects of building on ground containing old foundations, basements etc.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of building movements including those influenced by ground, wind, snow and thermal sources.

Building Services & Environmental Engineering

  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of the following aspects of building services:
  1. Energy conservation and energy labelling;
  2. Thermal insulation and condensation;
  3. Water services, drainage and sewage disposal;
  4. Noise attenuation.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of the principles of different Building Services’ systems including thermal, acoustic and lighting design solutions.
  1. Please demonstrate, using particular examples from your experience, how you feel you are equipped with an understanding of the following aspects of building services:
  1. Air conditioning and ventilation;
  2. Artificial and natural lighting;
  3. Heating;
  4. Piped services;
  5. Controls, commissioning and testing;
  6. Electrical installations.
  7. Renewable and low carbon energy generation systems

Quality Management System

Your current/proposed quality management system, including an explanation of how it applies to the selection and control of any people to whom you intend to delegate the inspection of plans or work within the scope of section 49(8) of the Building Act 1984.

Training and Recruitment Policy

To be provided if you intend to employ any technical staff.

Please state what use, if any, you intend to make of consultants within the scope of Section 49(8) of the Building Act 1984.

CPD

List CPD courses/seminars attended during the last 2 years. If you retain an institute log-book or diary you may enclose a copy with this form instead.

The following definition of CPD has been adopted:

‘The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioners working life’.

Building Control Performance Standards

Confirm that you have adopted the Building Control Performance Standards and submit a copy of your policy and procedures for compliance with the Standards.

Complaints Procedure

Your complaints procedure, which must include reference to the disciplinary section of the Code of Conduct for Approved Inspectors.

Further Information

Any further information which you believe to be relevant to this application. This should include reasons why you feel that you are qualified for registration as an Approved Inspector. CICAIR Ltd recognises that each applicant will have his/her particular abilities, experience and ambitions.

Guidance Notes

General

This form is designed to be filled in on your computer and will automatically provide pagination and an index. If you need further explanation or help please call us on 020 7399 7403.

Before despatching your application we strongly recommend the use of the check list at the end of these notes.

The approval process is strictly confidential. Please notify the Registrar of anyone you do not wish to be party to your application.

Interview

You will be called for interview and presentation if the Registrar finds your documentation satisfactory. The interview will start with a five/ten minute presentation by you, summarising your application (Power Point preferred). Interviews are recorded.