IStructE and ICE Launch Joint Registration for Higher-Risk Buildings Register

A NEW competency register for professionally qualified members in a bid to ensure the safety of higher-risk buildings (HRBs), is being jointly managed by the Institute of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Professionally qualified IStructE and ICE members with five years’ experience can submit applications to join the register, which will be held by the Engineering Council.

Together, the institutions have over 100,000 members.

The public register has been developed as part of the profession’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

It aims to raise industry safety standards following the fire by keeping a register of competent engineers.

The institutions were granted a joint licence by the Engineering Council to manage the application process for the HRB (Structures) Register.

Yasmin Becker, CEO of IStructE says: “This development is an excellent example of structural and civil engineering bodies working together for the benefit of structural safety. With some 12,500 HRBs to be assessed by 2029, competent engineers are and will be in demand. We therefore welcome applicants to be tested in this specialist discipline.”

Dr Janet Young, Director General, ICE adds: “As civil, infrastructure, and structural engineers, we are committed to ethical practice. An essential part of this is putting safety at the heart of everything we do. This register is an important step to increase public transparency in how critical infrastructure is managed. We’re pleased to be working with the Engineering Council and IStructE to deliver this essential register.”

Higher-Risk Buildings Register

To join the register, eligible engineers will be assessed on five key competence areas, with 21 sub-competences. These criteria are defined by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) HRB Framework.

The five areas are:

Knowledge and understanding
Design, development and solving engineering problems
Responsibility, management and leadership
Communication and interpersonal skills
Personal and professional commitment.

Applicants need to submit an application form, their CV and an experience report form for each of the competences, alongside a portfolio of evidence.

They will then be interviewed by assessors who will submit a final report to the IStructE/ICE HRB Joint Committee for the final stage of the registration process.

IStructE is managing the process for both bodies, with further details here: Higher Risk Buildings Registration – The Institution of Structural Engineers.

Find more details on ICE here: Specialist professional registers | Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).