Feedback and Development of the SER Scheme for Jersey

1. Feedback and Development of the SER Scheme for Jersey Ian Paterson

2. Content • Background on scheme statistics • Highlight some common trends from auditing process • Introduce new / revised documents • Some mirroring Scotland but also some Jersey specific modifications

3. Scheme Statistics On IslandOff Island No of Bodies 7 7 No of Certifiers 16 9 Bodies Resigned 0 1 Certifiers Resigned 1 3 Bodies suspended 0 2 Certifiers suspended 0 1 Bodies audited 7 5 Certifiers audited 14 6 Average Audit Score (cert) 14.4 12.4 Certificates Issued 2417 (to 24/5)

4. Common Trends from Audits • Lack of Clarity /misunderstanding of certification content. • Inadequate scoping and planning. • Misuse of Options for certification • Lack of Project Records • Inadequate recording of checking / reviews • Acceptance of suppliers submissions without understanding/enquiry • Lack of understanding of timber frame issues • Inappropriate wind loading for cladding • Use of Ka for propped retaining walls

5. New / revised Documents New guidance: • TB4 Conservatories • TB5 Barriers • TB6 Glazing Updated guidance: – more explicit • GN2 Options for Certification • Audit Rules and Procedures

6. GN2 Options for Certification • Already gone over the use of the various options as part of the Timber Frame seminar. • Other purpose of this document is to highlight that the list of items in schedule 3 is not intended as (or sufficient for) a scoping exercise. Which leads on to the biggest single issue with the operation of the scheme:

7. What are you certifying ? It is important that we ALL understand this: a) When signing / receiving certificates b) At the end of the project c) Part way through a project when multiple certificates are being issued d) When auditing We ALL need to be clear on this, and have the same understanding of the situation, at any point in time. We can only achieve that through scoping, planning, care and clarity in wording on certificates.

8. Changes to certificates Tweaks to wording on certificate Box to identify: • Initial, or interim certificate • Final Certificate • Amendment to certificate All certificates on a projects should be produced by the one certifier – if that is not the case the “new” certifier has to review, and take responsibility for, the design of the entire project.

9. What are you certifying ? The design of: a) The elements listed in schedule 3 ? b) The elements shown on your own drawings ? c) The building structure ? d) The design of the elements in the drawings listed in schedule 1 ? e) The design of all elements, except those listed in schedule 2 ? f) The design of the building ?

10. Certification Plans - Scoping • To ensure you have identified and dealt with all of the relevant building elements you need to set about the task in a methodical and thorough manner. • All the relevant items should be identified prior to the first certificate and a plan to obtain the necessary information put in place. • The list of items in schedule 2 should then decrease as further certificates are issued. • Yes client changes may lead to other elements being generated but CP should be a live and developing document.

11. Scoping Check List We don’t want to issue scoping check lists as: • Each project is different. • Check lists are a useful aide memoir but don’t replace scrutiny of the project. • The certifier must assess each project, determine what is relevant and plan his actions, and the information flow, accordingly. • GN2 Appendix and Audit Guide give a useful start - BUT it is your own experience and judgement which is the best route to adequate scoping.

12. Certification plan is also a good place to record and/or prompt you to consider: a) Level of checking required. b) Information considered ( Drawings, calculations, reports, specifications etc – and who is responsible for supplying). c) Designer(s) and checker(s). d) Design Codes. e) SI requirements. f) Disproportionate collapse. g) Conversions – what considered. Check Lists are a good aide-memoir but must still consider each project on its own merits. So What else should the Certification Plan Contain ?

13. Conservatories area problem because in England you can build a conservatory up to 35m2 without a building warrant – that is the biggest market for the manufacturers. Bye Laws definition of a conservatory Small conservatories (<20m2) at ground floor level built as extensions exempt from bye law requirements. If built at time of main house MAY still be exempt – depending on Thermal separation. Superstructure may come as a complete unit supported by UKAS (BBA) accreditation. More usually individual components may be certified. TB4 Certifying Structural Design of Conservatories

14. TB4 Certifying Structural Design of Conservatories Where test certificates provided for component: a) Pay particular attention to connections b) Racking stability c) Uplift d) Possible need for ties to prevent eaves spreading In all cases where BBA certificates used in place of calculations need to pay particular attention to design codes, and wind loads and snow loads – are these sufficient for your project ?

15. TB4 Certifying Structural Design of Conservatories Role of certifier is to confirm: • That the structure has been designed to be stable under appropriate loads. • That the design of Individual members can be substantiated by test or calculation. • That the components are being used in a manner compatible with test certification. • That racking loads can be transmitted to either foundations or main building. • That the design is compatible with other building elements. • That the Permit/certificate drawings sufficiently detailed.

16. TB5 Certifying the Design of Protective Barriers Barriers are “safety critical” and can be provided by: Handrails, Balustrades, Glazed screens, Partitions. Relevant Design Guidance: • BS6399 Part 1 • BS6180:2011 “Barriers in and about Buildings – Code of Practice” – serviceability requirements. • Technical Guidance Document 7 published in support of the Building bye-laws • UK Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds [fifth edition 2008]

17. TB5 Certifying the Design of Protective Barriers Risk Based approach to certification: • Traditional domestic with no long balconies and limited risk to occupants – specification to BS585 may be sufficient. • On larger projects – mezzanine floors, longer spanning stairs, balconies etc adequacy must be assured by calculation or test. • Freestanding Glass Barriers BS6180 – quite stringent requirements. In all cases remember design of barriers includes fixings, and possibly rigidity of members to which barrier is being fixed.

18. TB5 Certifying the Design of Protective Barriers Role of certifier is to ensure: • Appropriate loads used in design/testing. • Use of components compatible with testing. • Design compatible with other elements. • The barrier has sufficient stiffness and its performance will not be impaired by deflections / distortions of the supporting structure. • The connections to the supporting structure have been designed for the correct loadings. • Permit drawings are sufficiently detailed to show that the barrier will be constructed in accordance with the appropriate regulations and standards.

19. TB6 Certification of Glazing Systems Even relatively small domestic projects can have significant issues with glazing.

20. TB6 Certification of Glazing Systems • TB6 gives a definition of various types of glazing. • Explains how these are dealt with in Standards and Codes. • Confirms the role of the certifier. • Sets out a methodology for assessing the risk and categorising the glazing in a project. • Sets out recommended actions for each of the risk categories.

21. Issues determining Level of Risk 1. The inclination of the element (vertical/horizontal/inclined). 2. Size of the glazing element (frame). 3. Size of a single pane. 4. Height of glazing above ground level. 5. Does the glazing form a barrier ?. 6. Ownership/public access to land immediately outside building.

22. Low Risk • Glazing Panels are Vertical AND • Building Falls into RC1 (TB2) AND • Top of highest window < 6m AGL AND • Individual glazing panels < 8m2 AND • Individual panes of glass < 4m2 AND • Land for 0.5x building height not accessible to public AND • Window is not a barrier AND • Mullions not required to sustain vertical loads

23. Medium Risk • All inclined or horizontal panels or • All glazing which constitutes a barrier or • All glazing > 6m AGL or • All glazing panels > 8m2 or • Land for 0.5 building height accessible to public or • Mullions required to transmit vertical load AND Glazing and building falls within range of BS6262 and/or BS5516

24. High Risk Building / glazing which falls outwith the range of BS6262 or BS 5516 OR Any point fixed glazing systems OR Any innovative glazing systems or design approaches

25. Certification of Low Risk Glazing • The certifier must ensure that the glazing elements, (panes, frames and fixings) are specified to comply with BS6262:2005 and/or BS5616:2004 in the drawings submitted with the design certificate. • No further design substantiation will normally be required and certificates can be signed off on the basis of relevant standards having been specified on the plans specification listed on the design certificate.

26. Certification of Medium Risk Glazing • Specify site specific loading conditions. • Obtain copies of the supplier’s/manufacturer’s design calculations and details (including fixings back to the primary structure). • Satisfy himself that these have been carried out by a suitably competent person. • Ensure that the design has been carried out to the relevant standards and loadings (dead, wind, imposed, maintenance, impact etc). • Confirm that the calculations have been checked (or carry out checks as required). • Satisfy themselves that the design and details are compatible with that of the supporting elements of the building (including appropriate deflections, tolerances and provision for differential movement). • Record that these options have been certified using options 2 or 3 (SER Jersey Guidance Note 2) in Schedule 3 of the Design Certificate.

27. Certification of High Risk Glazing Most certifiers will have insufficient experience to be able to design these elements an in such circumstances the advice of an acknowledged expert should be sought, either to carry out, or confirm, the design. In these circumstances the certifier should: • satisfy himself of the relevant expertise of the “expert”. • satisfy himself that the design has been checked by a suitably experienced individual. • obtain copies of the supplier’s/manufacturer’s design calculations. • ensure that the design has been carried out to the relevant standards and loadings. • satisfy himself that the design is compatible with that of the supporting elements of the building. • record that these elements have been certified using Option 4 (SER GN2) in Schedule 3 of the certificate.

28. Acceptance of Test Results Alternatively suitable accredited test results, which are appropriate to the panel size, aspect ratio and loading of the elements under consideration, may be accepted in the place of design calculations. - but don’t forget glazing comprises glass, frame and the fixings back to the main cladding/structure.

29. Changes to Audit Procedures Guide • Some minor procedural tweaks to the audit process – principally involving timescales. • Some clarification of requirements – not changes just more explicitly stated • Some changes common to both Jersey and Scotland • Some changes specific to Jersey

30. Changes for Bodies • Bodies will be penalised for poor / inconsistent performance of certifiers. • Access to information – if hard copy regular currency checks. • Training – mark down for CPD failures. • Timescales for audits – and responses. • Protection of certifiers from loss.

31. Changes for Certifiers/Projects • More explicit in requirements and major/minor non conformances (rarely adds to intent). • Absence of checking = absence of calculations. • Design imposed loads to be identified on drawings. • Stability frames/racking panels/elements to be identified on drawings.

32. Changes for certifiers/projects • Timber frame requirements more explicit – reflecting issues discussed today. • Further guidance on requirements for steel/concrete and masonry. • Reflect content of TB5 and 6. • More detail on requirements for cladding. • Fire protection introduced. • Operating within competence.

33. Relaxation on Requirements for Ground Investigation Preconstruction GI not required for: • Domestic buildings not greater than 2 stories (or 3 if third is room in roof) with simple pads and strips. OR • Single storey steel framed buildings where allowable bearing capacity unlikely to be the determining factor in sizing foundations.

34. Relaxation on Requirements for Ground Investigation BUT • Trial pits extending to a suitable depth below the formation (to check for softer underlying strata) to be carried out, inspected and recorded at time of foundation excavations. • In all other cases full SI required pre certificate In all cases a note to be added to permit plans recoding anticipated ground conditions and allowable bearing capacity used in foundation design.

35. Changes to Scoring • Most of changes just better explanation – not really altering intent. • However as a result of more points defined probability increased scores at audit. • No intention to make audits harder so scoring categories have been amended (raised) to compensate for this.

36. Happy Certifying !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!