Croft Architecture: The CDM Principal Designer
CDM Regulations 2015
Everyone has their part to play when it comes to health and safety, especially in construction. It’s an area that can’t be overlooked as every construction project involves potential dangers at any stage.
The changes to CDM Regulations that come into force from 6th April 2015 aim to benefit everyone involved within any construction project, making every development safe to build, to use and to maintain.
What has changed from 6th April 2015?
1. Ending the role of CDM Co-ordinators. All new projects will no longer use the services of a CDM co-ordinator. Principal Designers (PD) will now manage the responsibilities that CDM Co-ordinators once performed. PD’s will be responsible for successfully co-ordinating the crucial pre-construction phase of projects.
2. Professional competence will be more rigorously assessed and will be split into skills, knowledge, training and experience.
3. The Clients role and level of legal duties are growing within their projects. CDM 2015 places more obligations on the client and also includes domestic clients (where the nature of work is carried for business purposes whether for profit or not).
Croft Architecture’s role as CDM Principal Designer
As Principal Designer Croft Architecture will:
1. Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate the health and safety of the pre-construction phase of any project.
2. Assist the client in pre-construction information. It’s the client’s responsibility to prepare pre-construction information. We will assess the client’s pre-construction information, providing advice and assistance to successfully compile the necessary details.
3. Identify and eliminate risk associated with design elements. Reduce and control any foreseeable risk.
4. Ensure coordination and cooperation establishing effective regular channels of communication to provide the project team with relevant and necessary information.
5. Liaise with the Principal Contractor (PC) for the duration of the project. As CDM Principal Designer we will provide the necessary pre-construction information covering the planning, management, monitoring and co-ordination of the construction phase, ensuring that the PC has the information required to prepare a construction phase plan.
6. Work with Domestic Clients. Working with Domestic Clients is not different to working for a Commercial Client. There is only one exception, which is that Domestic Clients can relinquish their client duties with written agreement between the client and Croft Architecture, the PD. We will then fulfill all client duties.
7. Compile, review, update and revise a projects Health and safety file as a project progresses. Upon completion we will pass the Health & Safety file to the client to retain.
Why is a Principal Designer Important?
Principal Designers liaise directly with the client and the Principal Contractor, managing the project team and influencing how health and safety risks will be managed throughout the project.
As Principal Designers Croft Architecture will manage and control the health and safety of the pre-construction phase of any project. We will manage any project from the concept of the design, through to planning and thereafter the delivery of the construction work.
Significant design decisions at the pre-construction phase will have considerable effect on how the project will be delivered to ensure health and safety. Croft Architecture have the experience to successfully manage and co-ordinate the project team, addressing potential risks throughout the design process and ensuring that the project commences and continues safely, on time and within budget.
Croft Architecture as Principal Designer
As a Chartered Architectural Practice with four fully qualified experienced Chartered Architects, our team at Croft Architecture are skilled and creative professionals who will successfully execute the role as CDM Principal Designer. We have the knowledge, experience, technical capability and understanding of the existing CDM regulations 2007, and we are fully proficient with the changes to CDM 2015 and how to they must be implemented to every stage of any project.
Our broad experience and our in depth knowledge of the proposed changes CDM regulations 2015 will streamline every stage of the process, from procurement, to design and delivery and finally the construction of the project.
Our focus is on the importance of planning, collaborating, managing and clarity to ensure a safe and successful project.
