Building Regulations Principal Designer
Confident compliance, coordinated design and safer project delivery
FFT provides Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD) services to support compliant design development and effective discharge of statutory duties under the Building Safety Act.
Acting as BRPD, we plan, manage and monitor the design process across all design stages, ensuring information is coordinated, risks are addressed early and regulatory requirements are embedded throughout development.
Our approach gives clients clear oversight of compliance responsibilities, supports robust building regulations applications, including Gateway submissions and reduces the risk of late‑stage redesign, delay or regulatory challenge. The service is well suited to housing, mixed‑use and complex projects where assurance, coordination and auditability are critical.
Structured compliance management with early risk identification and practical solutions
FFT’s BRPD service is delivered by chartered building surveyors with specialist experience in regulated buildings and complex design teams. This is supported by our in-house building control surveyor, where FFT can add value to a project by early identification and management of building regulations risk, structured coordination of design information and clear tracking of compliance responsibilities across all RIBA stages.
For High‑Risk Residential Buildings, we support clients through Gateways One, Two and Three, ensuring the right information is prepared, reviewed and maintained in line with regulatory expectations. Our structured, evidence‑led approach strengthens governance, supports audit and provides confidence that building regulations duties are being actively managed and discharged.
Projects
Pegasus House
L&Q
Appointed to support a comprehensive fire remediation and refurbishment programme for a six-storey residential building, Pegasus House.
Wave 2.2 retrofit services
Richmond Housing Partnership
FFT were employed by RHP to manage and deliver retrofit services for 211 of the least energy-efficient social housing dwellings, ensuring compliance with PAS2030/2035 standards.
FAQs
The BRPD is responsible for planning, managing and monitoring the design team to achieve compliance with Building Regulations during the design stage of works. The role focuses on coordinating design information, managing compliance risk and ensuring that sufficient, accurate information is in place to support robust building control applications, including Gateway submissions where required.
The BRPD should be appointed at the earliest design stage for any project requiring building control approval. Early appointment allows compliance risks to be identified and addressed before they are designed into the project, reducing the risk of delay, redesign or regulatory challenge at a later stage.
The Building Regulations define this, amongst other things, as material alteration of a building or controlled service or fitting. For example, replacing fire doors, structural works and thermal improvements such as roof replacement works.
The Building Regulations permits roof works to be undertaken where less than 50% of the surface area is being replaced. If you are in any doubt as to whether your project requires Building Control approval, FFT can advise you of your obligations.
The Building Regulations supports self-certification schemes which are listed under Schedule 3 and include FENSA for windows and doors, NFRC for roofing works, and NICEIC for electrical works. However if your project includes works not covered by such schemes, then you must appoint a BRPD.
For High‑Risk Residential Buildings, FFT supports clients through Gateways One, Two and Three by coordinating compliance information, reviewing design submissions and maintaining clear audit trails. Our approach helps clients demonstrate that Building Regulations duties are being actively managed in line with Building Safety Act expectations.
The BRPD role is distinct from Building Control Bodies who receive and process applications and CDM Principal Designer duties that deal with Health & Safety. BRPD focuses specifically on Building Regulations compliance during design, coordinating information from designers and managing regulatory risk. Where appointed, we work alongside Building Control bodies and CDM Principal Designers to ensure responsibilities are clear, aligned and well‑governed.
Get in touch
If you’re unsure what your project needs or want to talk it through, contact FFT. We’ll help you understand your responsibilities and plan the right next steps with confidence.