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Guidance on using a competent persons scheme to undertake certain building work on your property.

First published:
5 April 2023
Last updated:

Overview

Many jobs in the home need to be notified to and approved as being compliant with Building Regulations by a Building Control Body, either your Local Authority Building Control or a private sector Approved Inspector. Competent Person Schemes allow individuals and enterprises to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations as an alternative to these routes.

An installer registered with a Competent Person Scheme is qualified to carry out specific types of work in accordance with Building Regulations and should both notify the local authority of the work and issue you a certificate of compliance with Building Regulations either directly or through their scheme operator.

Current schemes

If you are going to use the Competent Person Scheme route, you need to ensure you use a competent person relevant to the work you are carrying out. The following lists the current schemes. Please be aware the list may change from time to time to include new schemes as they are approved, or to remove schemes as appropriate.

Cavity and solid wall insulation in an existing building

Type of insulation and Scheme(s)

Cavity walls in an existing building: Blue Flame Certification, CERTASS, Certsure, CIGA, NAPIT, Stroma

Internal walls of a building: BBA, Blue Flame Certification, CERTASS, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma

External walls of a building (not including insulation of demountable-clad buildings): BBA, Blue Flame Certification, CERTASS, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma

Both external and internal walls of a building (‘hybrid insulation’ - not including insulation of demountable-clad buildings): BBA, Blue Flame Certification, CERTASS, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma

Combustion appliances

Type of appliance and scheme(s)

Gas: Gas Safe Register*

Oil (including liquid biofuels): APHC, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification , Certsure, NAPIT, OFTEC, Stroma

Solid fuel (including biomass): APHC, BESCA, Certsure, HETAS, NAPIT, OFTEC, Stroma

*The GSR is not technically a competent person scheme, but in practice its installers have the same responsibilities for complying with building regulations.

Electrical installations

Type of installation and schemes

In dwellings - installation of fixed low or extra-low voltage electrical installations: BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Certsure, NAPIT, OFTEC, Stroma

In dwellings - fixed low or extra-low voltage electrical installations as part of other work being carried out by the registered person: APHC, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma

Buildings other than dwellings - installation of lighting or electrical heating systems: BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma

Heating and hot water systems

Type of installation and schemes

Heating or hot water system, or its associated control: APHC, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Gas Safe Register, Certsure, HETAS, NAPIT, OFTEC, Stroma

Mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems

Type of building and schemes

Dwellings (not including work on systems shared with other buildings: BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma

Other buildings (not involving work on other parts of a building occupied separately): BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Certsure, NAPIT, Stroma.

Plumbing and water supply systems

Type of system and schemes

Wholesome and softened wholesome water supply: APHC, BESCA, Certsure, HETAS, NAPIT, Stroma

Non-wholesome water supply to a flushing toilet (not involving work on shared or underground drainage): APHC, BESCA, Certsure, HETAS, NAPIT, Stroma

Toilets, sinks, washbasins, fixed baths, showers or bathrooms in dwellings (not involving work on shared or underground drainage): APHC, BESCA, Certsure, HETAS, NAPIT, Stroma

Replacement windows, doors, roof windows or rooflights

Type of building and schemes

Existing dwellings: Blue Flame Certification, CERTASS, Certsure, Fensa, NAPIT, ASSURE, Stroma

Existing buildings other than dwellings (not including replacement of load-bearing structural glass, glazed curtain walling or revolving doors): Blue Flame Certification , CERTASS, Certsure, Fensa, NAPIT, ASSURE, Stroma

Replacement of roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs

This includes any necessary connected work (but not solar panel installation). The authorised schemes are:

  • NAPIT
  • CompetentRoofer

Air pressure testing of buildings

The authorised schemes are:

  • Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association (ATTMA)
  • Elmhurst Energy Systems Limited.

Microgeneration and renewable technologies

The authorised schemes are:

  • APHC
  • BESCA
  • Certsure
  • HETAS
  • NAPIT
  • OFTEC
  • Stroma

New schemes and Joining a scheme

New schemes and amendments to existing schemes are authorised by the Welsh Government. Schemes are invited to contact us regarding new authorisations which will be considered periodically. Should you wish to join a scheme please contact the relevant scheme for details about joining.