New UK standard targets engineering competence in higher-risk buildings
The Engineering Council has published a new standard to assess the competence and commitment of engineers and technicians working on higher-risk buildings in the UK.
According to the Engineering Council, the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment contextualised for Higher-Risk Buildings (UK-SPEC HRB) was created in response to recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of building regulations and fire safety following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
The standard is based on the existing UK-SPEC but adapted for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of buildings defined as higher risk under the Building Safety Act.
Collaboration with professional institutions guided the development
The Engineering Council explained that UK-SPEC HRB was developed with input from professional engineering institutions and expert volunteers.
It stated that the standard is designed to support professional registration of those working on higher-risk buildings through an adapted assessment framework that includes discipline-specific annexes for fire, structural, façade and building services engineering.
At the launch, Engineering Council CEO Paul Bailey said: “We are very proud to be launching this new Standard today which presents a significant milestone in our continuing work with the professional engineering community to ensure public safety in the built environment.
“We hope the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire and the sad loss of 72 lives will never be seen again.”
Paul Bailey added: “UK-SPEC HRB will provide a means for those engineers and technicians working in the built environment, particularly on the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of higher-risk buildings, to become professionally registered.”
Paul Bailey further stated: “This is the first step however and it is our hope that UK-SPEC HRB is embraced and championed by the sector and the wider engineering profession, and that the Standard, and the Register of those individuals assessed against it, will support the continuing improvement of public safety across the sector.”
Fire discipline annex provides a route for registration
According to the Engineering Council, the standard includes a Fire Discipline Annex which outlines criteria aligned with the Building Safety Act.
Institution of Fire Engineers CEO Steve Hamm said: “The IFE is proud to support the launch of the Fire Discipline Annex to the UK-SPEC HRB.
“This marks a significant milestone in maintaining the highest standards of professional competence within the built environment, reflecting the growing complexity and scrutiny associated with higher-risk buildings.”
Steve Hamm added: “Fire engineering plays a crucial role across all sectors, and this annex offers a clear framework for practitioners to demonstrate their capability in line with the Building Safety Act.
“As the professional engineering institution licensed to assess against this standard, we remain committed to upholding public safety and promoting excellence across the profession, working alongside the Engineering Council and other institutions to contribute to safer, better-managed buildings.”
Emphasis placed on ethical conduct and sector-wide adoption
Dame Judith Hackitt, who chaired the 2018 Building a Safer Future review, delivered the keynote address at the launch of UK-SPEC HRB.
Dame Judith Hackitt said: “People who will uphold high standards of professional conduct themselves and call out those who undermine that in any way.”
Dame Judith Hackitt added: “This launch is very much the end of the beginning of the process.”
Dame Judith Hackitt further stated that institutions must now promote the standard and encourage its adoption throughout the sector.
HRB register aims to support housing safety ambitions
The Engineering Council said the HRB Register and the UK-SPEC HRB standard together create a mechanism to ensure engineers have the appropriate competence to work on higher-risk buildings.
In a statement, it said: “With the Government’s commitment to building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament which are of high quality, and safe now and in the future, we believe our HRB Register and UK-SPEC HRB is a key example of how this ambition can be achieved through a pipeline of suitably qualified professionals for the housing and construction market with the right skills.”
It added: “We welcome the professional engineers who have already achieved registration, and we are committed to building on this momentum.”
Standard structured to enable professional registration and revalidation
The Engineering Council confirmed that UK-SPEC HRB aligns with BS 8670 and outlines the required knowledge, behaviours and technical skills for safe practice in higher-risk buildings.
It explained that applicants can apply for Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer registration through UK-SPEC HRB, with assessment supported by relevant discipline annexes and five-year revalidation requirements.
The Engineering Council stated that individuals assessed against the HRB standard must demonstrate competence in five key areas: knowledge and understanding, problem-solving, leadership, communication, and professional commitment.
Formalised assessment routes available to new and current registrants
The Engineering Council outlined three routes to registration under UK-SPEC HRB.
It said that individuals already registered with the Engineering Council can apply for HRB recognition through a Professional Review process.
It added that those not currently registered may apply for both principal and HRB registration, or for HRB registration alone, depending on their qualifications and experience.
It explained that all applicants must submit documented evidence and participate in an interview to demonstrate how they meet the required standards.
Five-year revalidation process ensures competence is maintained
According to the Engineering Council, registrants must renew their HRB status at least every five years.
It stated that this process includes submitting a portfolio of evidence and may involve an interview to assess ongoing competence.
The Council confirmed that revalidation aligns with requirements in BS 8670 and recommendations from the Setting the Bar report, which identified the need for periodic reassessment of professional capability in higher-risk settings.
Engineering competence standard introduced for higher-risk UK buildings: Summary
The Engineering Council has published the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment contextualised for Higher-Risk Buildings (UK-SPEC HRB).
This was developed in response to recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s 2018 review commissioned after the Grenfell Tower fire.
The standard is adapted from the UK-SPEC and applies to engineers working on the design, construction, maintenance and operation of higher-risk buildings.
It includes core and discipline-specific criteria and supports professional registration at three levels: Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer.
Dame Judith Hackitt called for wide adoption of the standard to uphold professional conduct in the sector.
The Institution of Fire Engineers supported the launch of the Fire Discipline Annex within the UK-SPEC HRB.
The Engineering Council said the HRB Register would help meet national housing safety targets.
Applicants can apply via professional review and must undergo revalidation every five years.
The standard references BS 8670 and is intended to support competence assurance across the built environment.