I really picked the wrong day off (Sunday) to sit down and prepare for the next Delta/SPHstructures CPD - its glorious outside. But. Here we are.
The plan was to start populating the slides for the first session on Competency as I filled in the Structural Annex bits of my competency document, but then I thought, I'll just give this a quick read... Urghk.
Is anyone else reading these and coming away with more questions than answers?
Just on the UK SPEC, Structural & Facade Annex requirements alone, this has added +35 pages to my competency document before I've even begun to add the evidence. I've asked this before, but whose checking that??
- In practice. It should be the Principal Designer.
Are they even aware of these requirements, do they even check it, or is it a cursory glance over. We were asked to bid on a new HRB structural assessment this week and apparently we were up against a firm who include all the investigation and testing requirements within their fee as well. The question was asked if we could do the same, I said no as there's a lot to do before we even know what's required for any investigation and testing works. Competency wasn't mentioned once. Which got me thinking - there isn't really a Principal Designer acting on the clients behalf when these first Safety Case reports are first been called. Could that spell trouble? Possibly. The other people who should be checking this are;
- Whoever reviews this for the joint ICE / IStructE register.
How many people are reviewing this, over how long? Who knows. The register is due to open next month (August), I've emailed again to confirm, but still no news on this other than the original announcement. Is this firstly, going to catch on and be a thing that the industry embraces (I have my doubts right now) and secondly, how does it sit in the hierarchy of importance for people looking into our industry, i.e. its above CEng status according the UK SPEC as additional responsibilities. But will it ultimately just be amalgamated into CEng requirements further down the line if no one takes this up?
Half the Structural Engineers I speak to aren't aware of this and most haven't lifted a finger regarding anything to do with competency documents. I certainly haven't been asked specifically for anything in this regard in any job as yet.
My biggest concern though (I know, we're not even at the good stuff), is the shear amount of information needed - and how to differentiate it between ourselves, Fire and Building Service Engineers.
Lets assume we divide our evidence between new build and existing structures, and apply a similar grading scale similar to CEng requirements. Are we (SE, Fire and Building Services) all expected to at least have a Knowledge of each section? Or will there be arguments as to what is 'applicable to our role'? Which makes me think there needs to be at least one person from each discipline reviewing this stuff.
Lots of questions. Not many answers yet.
Architect
3moThanks for all the help and support guys! 😊 🥂