Duty Holders made simple.
Principal Designers
A clear and simple guide on the responsibilities of the Principal Designer and any supporting bodies to the role
General Summary of Duty Holders
Duty holders in the UK building industry primarily refer to roles defined under the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended, particularly Part 2A introduced in 2023), influenced by the Building Safety Act 2022.
These roles promote accountability for compliance with building regulations throughout design and construction. The regime applies to most building work requiring Building Regulations approval (with some exceptions for minor works).
It closely mirrors the duty holders in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) but focuses specifically on ensuring building work complies with the regulations (e.g., safety, structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility).
Common Responsibilities for All Duty Holders
All duty holders must:
Plan, manage, and monitor their work to ensure compliance with building regulations. Cooperate with other duty holders, share information, and communicate effectively. Ensure competence (skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours) for themselves and anyone they appoint, and only undertake work within their competence limits.
Duty Holder Forms
As a duty holder, it is your responsibility to fill out the required documentation and forms assuming that role. Below is a link as an example copy; however, your relevant RBCA or Local Authority will provide their own copy of the document.
Principal Designer Role
A designer appointed by the client (must have overall control of design work) on projects with more than one contractor.
Key responsibilities (in addition to general designer duties):
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Plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate the pre-construction phase to ensure the overall design complies with building regulations.
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Ensure other designers comply with their duties.
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Liaise with the principal contractor to share information and support the construction phase.
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Prepare and provide relevant information (contributing to the "golden thread" of information).
Other Designers
Anyone who prepares or modifies designs for the building work (this can be broad, covering architects, engineers, and others influencing design).
Key responsibilities:
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Ensure designs comply with building regulations and do not create unnecessary risks.
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Eliminate, reduce, or control foreseeable risks to safety during construction, maintenance, and use.
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Provide sufficient information to other duty holders to allow compliant construction and use.
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Cooperate and share information.