Please Note:

The Building Safety Act (BSA) came into effect on 1st October 2023. It is part of the building safety legislation that has been produced in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy. We are now approaching the end of the transition period which concludes on 6th April 2024.

This is a fundamental reform of regulation across the industry, including significant changes to the role of Architect. It will affect everyone in the construction sector. The legislation is designed to provide greater safety, quality, transparency of the building process and accountability of the professionals involved. The new regime affects virtually all of our projects, including domestic projects.

One of the most significant features is the expansion of the existing CDM (Construction, Design and Management) Principal Designer role to also include a BSA (Building Safety Act) Principal Designer role for any project that is subject to Building Regulations.

We will soon be updating this page with our additional scope of services for the BSA Principal Designer role.

Principal designer & construction and design management

HPA act as Principal Designer on a range of construction projects to ensure the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM 2015) – the UK’s regulations for the management of health, safety, and welfare of construction projects – are considered, managed, and delivered.

From manufacturing and commercial sites, to housing, hotels, and leisure, we work with owners, businesses, and contractors to identify and eliminate risks; guide them through their obligations, and work together for the duration of the project to ensure health and safety regulations are considered with a proportionate approach.

Principal designer services we offer:

  • Identifying, obtaining, and collating information on foreseeable risks at design stage and delivery of Health and Safety Pre-Construction Information Package – This should be reviewed at early stages in the project.
  • Provide pre-construction information to consultant design team, Clients, and the Principal Contractor
  • Ensure that our Clients are aware of their duties to conform to health & safety CDM regulations
  • Collaborate with Consultant Team to comply with their duties and co-operate with each other on Health and Safety management
  • Collaborate with Principal Contractor for the duration of the project
  • Help to prepare the Health and Safety File
  • Advise and work with contractor on future maintenance and system in regard to ongoing safety for users and the maintenance team.