Utility/ Laundry area

[PBrod5]

Hello. Any advice would be really appreciated.
When we moved into our home the previous owner had used the rear area of the garage as a utility / laundry area housing washing machine, tumble dryer,
fridge freezer and had put up a temporary boarded partition to separate the area from the rest of the garage.
So, we also placed our laundry appliances, fridge freezer, wine chiller in that area.
We applied to the local authority for a building notice as we were having works to connect a new toilet and wash basin in this area at the rear of the garage.
We were also having a firewall and fire door to replace the boarded partition that separated the rest of the garage (although the garage is just used for storage).
The building control surveyor came at the start of the works and again once all works had been completed.
They emailed to me a Completion Notice to be completed which I signed as Client and our Principal Contractor also signed.
However, they have said that the Principal Designer section must be completed.
Essentially we have only had a toilet, wash basin and we have erected the firewall with fire door and so I did not think that we would have to
employ a Designer or Architect therefore no official plans/ designs or architects drawings have been done.
We did have a couple of new sockets and we had a light installed in the toilet/wash basin area for which we provided required NAPIT certificate.
Our Principal Contractor fulfilled the work that we asked him to carry out and was not involved with any plans or designs.
I myself was the only person who put together the outline and layout of our requirements and this was what was followed when the works were being
carried out. Would it be suitable therefore for myself to sign the required section ?

Thank you for any help or advice.

Best wishes.

 

[blup]

You are the principal designer, there is no one else

 

[Wolfhere]

Yes, for a job like this the client can be the Principal Designer

 

[PBrod5]

Thank you so much blup and Wolfhere. That's a massive help

 

[^woody^]

This is for CDM Regulations and as such, a designer or Principal Designer under CDM is not like a normal designer such as an architect. CDM is for H&S not really anything to do with building regulations

For a domestic client (the OP) unless a designer (e.g. architect or suchlike) is instructed by the client in writing and formally accepts, the role of Principle Designer automatically falls on the Main or single contractor - no ifs or buts, automatically.

TBH, for this type of work it does not matter and no-one actually cares, so any old signature will do. And it's too late now anyway as CDM kicks in at the start and during the works

 

[PBrod5]

Thank you woody. I have now signed it and sent it off and so I hope that's accepted.

Best wishes.

 

[mrrusty]

I hope they do sign it off, but there's a bit of a storm brewing with BC as this thread suggests https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/topic/45274-architect-won’t-sign-completion-notice-form/

It's the new Building Safety Act. the PD under CDM is not quite the same as PD under the BSA....

 

[PBrod5]

Thank you mrrusty for your message and for the attached link to the buildhub forum on this subject area.

I understand and appreciate that they are introducing more safety controls but for a normal homeowner that's had minor works to their
home its like navigating a minefield.
I could understand if I'd had an extension, full garage conversion or built a new home etc.,
but essentially i've only added a toilet, a wash basin, a firewall and a fire door (to replace a temporary boarded partition that the previous
owner had put up) to make it fire safe even though the garage is only used for storage.
Since they advised that the Principal Designer section must be signed and completed I have read a lot of forum information on this
and to be honest you can go round and round in circles with it.
But I have now signed it myself and emailed it to them because as homeowner I take full responsibility.

Thank you and best wishes.