Building Control request for XML

picorette

I was asked by a client for a preliminary BER for a new dwelling. They have subsequently advised that the local authority Building Control officer requires the xml file, as well as the rating.

Is this standard procedure, or is the Building Control officer being over zealous?

Also, would anybody anticipate any problems in giving out the xml file to somebody else? Should I keep it confidential and just offer the Rating?

Thanks in anticipation of your replies.

sydthebeat

picorette wrote: »

I was asked by a client for a preliminary BER for a new dwelling. They have subsequently advised that the local authority Building Control officer requires the xml file, as well as the rating.

Is this standard procedure, or is the Building Control officer being over zealous?

Also, would anybody anticipate any problems in giving out the xml file to somebody else? Should I keep it confidential and just offer the Rating?

Thanks in anticipation of your replies.

this is excellent news.
In my opinion EVERY new dwelling should be required to submit the xml file to the BC of the LA on receipt of the commencement notice.

Theres no problem sending the xml file, why would there by.

I would simply save it under a title specific to your client, maybe the planning reg no?

dunie001

You'll have to ring SEI about that one...too hard for any of us to say really.

Personally though I wouldn't give out the xml file. after all that's all your hard work...

However you could come to a compromise and give the BCO a print out from DEAP of the "detailed report" section. If he still demands the xml after giving him that, then I'd consult SEI about what to do.

What county is that BCO in? out of curiosity

sydthebeat

dunie001 wrote: »

Personally though I wouldn't give out the xml file. after all that's all your hard work...

i am at a loss as to see why any reluctance exists to send an xml file to a building control officer?

why do you have this reluctance? what things do you envisage the BC officer doing with this file?

Legally, as its the BC officers remit to check compliance.... and its the xml file that is the actual data analysis which shows compliance or not, its my opinion that they HAVE to receive the xml file...

opinions?

dunie001

I suppose that's fair enough alright syd...it prob wouldn't be an issue. But surely they should have thier own methods to calculate compliance rather than using DEAP, which as far as I know is really only for reference purposes, but then again what would I know!!!

The only thing I'd REALLY like to know is where is that BCO and why aren't there more like him/her around the country?

Im going to have to declare bankruptcy if I don't get a serious influx of ratings to do in the next while, simply because there seems to be absolutely nobody enforcing the BER system in Leitrim...or sligo...or Donegal either for that matter.

sydthebeat

dunie001 wrote: »

I suppose that's fair enough alright syd...it prob wouldn't be an issue. But surely they should have thier own methods to calculate compliance rather than using DEAP, which as far as I know is really only for reference purposes, but then again what would I know!!!
.

The building regulations specifically state that a DEAP assessment is the way compliance is to be shown, as far as i know its the only way compliance can be shown.

dunie001 wrote: »

The only thing I'd REALLY like to know is where is that BCO and why aren't there more like him/her around the country?
.

100% agreed

dunie001 wrote: »

Im going to have to declare bankruptcy if I don't get a serious influx of ratings to do in the next while, simply because there seems to be absolutely nobody enforcing the BER system in Leitrim...or sligo...or Donegal either for that matter.

My biggest issue is that all focus is on the sale rental market, and ABSOLUTELY NONE on the owner occupier, who is also legally required to get a rating.

SEI, shamefully, even omit this sector themselves in the majority of their explanatory leaflets

At a 'recent' BERA seminar in athlone, Paula Rice acknowledged this fact, and tried to dismiss it by saying that the owner occupier sector were not a large part of the market!!! Well, doesnt she look foolish now, as the vast majority ofhouse completions are in the owner occupier sector.

The system is broken, the practitioneers can see this, but those with the power to change it are blind and deaf to the problems.

picorette

dunie001 wrote: »

The only thing I'd REALLY like to know is where is that BCO and why aren't there more like him/her around the country?.

Offaly CC

sydthebeat

picorette wrote: »

Offaly CC

ah good, local to me...

It wil be interesting if they apply the same to Quazzie2000

sinnerboy

dunie001 wrote: »

You'll have to ring SEI about that one...too hard for any of us to say really.

No. And no it's not

SEI have got nothing to do with it

DEAP's primary function is to demonstrate compliance with Part L B Regs . Look at TGD L 05 + 08 . You will see DEAP mentioned many many times

It just so happens the SEI release DEAP and license it for BER purposes too .

http://www.sei.ie/Your_Building/BER/BER_Assessors/Jan_Stats.pdf

Look at the number of certified assesors .
Look at the number of registered assessors .

Many took "the BER" course simply to learn DEAP - to design to comply with B Regs - not to become BER assessors.

Some like me , then registered to offer BER certs as part of the overall architectural service

I am in 2 minds as to whether to stay on that register now . I am fed up of turning down ( 2- 3 per week ) resentful inquiries mostly from people begrudging having to pay anything to rent or flog their building .

It will be more cost effective use of my time to do the initial design stage DEAP assessment and later near works completion farm off the SEI / BER cert to someone who can't command a sensible fee for it

.

sinnerboy

dunie001 wrote: »

Im going to have to declare bankruptcy if I don't get a serious influx of ratings to do in the next while, simply because there seems to be absolutely nobody enforcing the BER system in Leitrim...or sligo...or Donegal either for that matter.

I am sorry to hear this - have you thought of contacting groups locally to take advanatge of this

http://www.sei.ie/Grants/Home_Energy_Saving_Scheme/

Warden Dios

sinnerboy wrote: »

No. And no it's not

SEI have got nothing to do with it

DEAP's primary function is to demonstrate compliance with Part L B Regs . Look at TGD L 05 + 08 . You will see DEAP mentioned many many times

It just so happens the SEI release DEAP and license it for BER purposes too .

http://www.sei.ie/Your_Building/BER/BER_Assessors/Jan_Stats.pdf

Look at the number of certified assesors .
Look at the number of registered assessors .

Many took "the BER" course simply to learn DEAP - to design to comply with B Regs - not to become BER assessors.

Some like me , then registered to offer BER certs as part of the overall architectural service

I am in 2 minds as to whether to stay on that register now . I am fed up of turning down ( 2- 3 per week ) resentful inquiries mostly from people begrudging having to pay anything to rent or flog their building .

It will be more cost effective use of my time to do the initial design stage DEAP assessment and later near works completion farm off the SEI / BER cert to someone who can't command a sensible fee for it

.

Its the same where I work. Any BERS I have done just about break even and are for existing clients. We are based in the midlands and even get calls from the Dublin area to produce BER's as they think they might get it even cheaper.

Offaly Co Co Building Control are very active. One of our clients lodged a commencement notice for 6 houses. A letter was issued the next week by BC looking for xml files/DEAP to be produced within 28 days. The clent has been shopping around (miserable git) and dragging his feet. The 28 days has elapsed and BC have refered the matter to their solicitors.