The government trying to throw mud onto the certifier is grossly premature under the current circumstances and seems no more than a populist vote grab.
There's a alot of decent posts on LinkedIn if anyone wants to understand the actual process around certification including the one I've added [below]( Opal Tower - a Private Certifiers Perspective https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/opal-tower-private-certifiers-perspective-adam-mainey)
Headlines in the last week have been covered with the Opal Tower, and rightfully so, a mass evacuation from a high-rise building in Sydney is not great news, especially the re-location of residents at Christmas time. The more concerning part of this all has been the finger pointing, at which it seems that Private Certifiers and the Private Certification Industry has once again come under heavy scrutiny. So, as the Director of a Private Certification firm I thought I would shed some light on important details and assumptions which misinterpret how the building professional industry works.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of the Opal Towers over the last week. If you haven’t, here’s the extremely brief run-down of what has been covered in the news. The Opal Tower building (a 36 storey high-rise building) has had structural failure in the pre-cast concrete slab and columns. As a result, the NSW Fire and Rescue has ordered residents to leave the building until such time as they are satisfied that the building can be re-occupied. There may be more to the story but this is the main gist of the articles over the last week.
Now, for everyone not in the building industry, lets all take a deep breath and I’ll go over the steps into which this building was approved, at least from a structural adequacy standpoint. Prior to the Certifier issuing a Construction Certificate (a permit for construction works to commence), the Certifier amongst other documents request that the Structural Engineer provide Structural Plans and a Structural Design Certificate. The Structural Plans consist of schematic drawings as to how all structural elements are to be constructed. The Structural Design Certificate is certification from the Structural Engineer that the design satisfies all relevant Australian Standards.
The project builder and relevant contractors are to follow the Structural Design as indicates on the Structural Plans. The Structural Engineer then inspects prior to pouring of concrete to confirm that the works have been carried out in accordance with the Structural Plans. At the finalization of the project and prior to the Certifier issuing an Occupation Certificate (a permit that allows residents to occupy the building) he/she requests a Structural Certificate from the Structural Engineer to confirm that the works have been carried out in accordance with the Structural Plans and that the building is structural adequate.
But doesn’t the Private Certifier inspect the building throughout construction? Yes, he or she does. The following inspections are mandatory under NSW legislation for this class (type) of building:
Prior to the issue of the Construction Certificate.
After the commencement of excavation and prior to the pouring of the first footing.
Prior to the covering of any waterproofing in a minimum of 10% of wet areas (e.g. bathrooms, laundries, water closets) in a building.
Prior to covering any stormwater drainage connection.
Prior to the issue of the Occupation Certificate.
Another two (2) inspections have been added since this time, relating to a review of fire rated construction between apartments (i.e. bounding construction) and building elements penetrating fire rated elements (e.g. drainage pipes penetrating slabs, walls, etc.) I know what you’re thinking, how is this the Certifier’s fault? It simply isn’t, I’m not going to point the finger at anyone because I personally don’t know the details of the case but the issue at the Opal Tower is not a matter for the Certifier.
The Certifier will still have liability in the matter as they issued the Occupation Certificate, however, the Occupation Certificate was issued on the basis of Certification from the Structural Engineer and not on a personal review of the structural elements by the Certifier. Its still nervous times ahead for the Private Certifier, because unlike almost every other person in the building industry is personally Accredited and insured, this means that unlike others he/she cannot “phoenix” their company to discharge liability.
As an Accredited Certifier operating in the Private Industry, I can personally vouch that there are no kick-backs, no handshakes and no cash stuffed paper bags. There are professionals operating in the communities’ best interest with young families trying to make ends meet just like yourself. I can’t stand up for the Certifier and say they did their job with 100% due diligence because I don’t know the project, or the Certifier, but I can say that the Opal Tower issue is not at the fault of the Certifier or the Private Certification industry.