Building Standards

New Compliance Plan Early Adopters Scheme for buildings classified as High Risk Buildings

April 2, 2024 by Simon Moore No Comments | Category Building Standards, Futures Board

Following our previous compliance plan approach blog, the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division (BSD) has officially launched the New Compliance Plan Early Adopters (EA) Scheme for buildings classified as High Risk Buildings (HRB).

The initial phase of the Early Adopter Scheme is aimed solely at new build HRB projects. For this purpose, HRBs are defined as follows:

• domestic buildings or residential buildings with any storey at a height of more than 11 metres above the ground
• educational establishments (schools, colleges, and universities), community/sport centres
• hospitals
• residential care buildings

To take part in the Early Adopter Scheme projects must meet the following minimum requirements:

• is a new build HRB, as defined above
• the initial design has been substantially completed
• a main contractor has been or is about to be appointed
• the submission for an application for a building warrant is currently being developed or, if by agreement, the project is in the early stages of the building warrant process
• there is digital capability available to share the Compliance Plan (CP) with Compliance Plan Manager and verifier as a living document
• the Project Team agrees to provide feedback to the Scottish Government to assist with development of the legislation and guidance relating to the new CP approach

It is envisaged that during this initial launch phase there will be capacity to support around six projects. It is intended that conversions, extensions, and alterations to  HRBs will be considered in later phases of the Scheme.

The Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) website contains information on the scheme, including the Compliance Plan Early Adopters Handbook and the Expression of Interest form.

Taking part in the Early Adopters Scheme will not only benefit verifiers, designers, developers and Relevant Persons trialling the Compliance Plan approach, but will give them the opportunity to provide feedback to support the development of legislation and guidance prior to it becoming a legal requirement, circa 2025/2026.

If you would like further information please contact us at buildingstandardsearlyadopters@gov.scot.

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