SLIA Part III cheat sheet

Professional registration: Architects are regulated by statutory bodies (e.g., ARB in the UK, NCARB in the US); practicing without registration is illegal and subject to penalties.

Code of conduct core principles: Competence, honesty, integrity, respect for others, and accountability for actions. Breach can lead to disciplinary action including erasure from the register.

Conflict of interest: Must be declared in writing to all parties; must not accept commissions where a conflict exists without informed consent from all parties.

Confidentiality: Client information must remain confidential unless disclosure is required by law or authorized by the client.

Professional indemnity insurance (PII): Typically required for practice; covers negligence claims. Architects should maintain cover for at least the statute of limitations period (often 6-12 years).

Advertising and promotion: Must be truthful and not misleading; cannot claim qualifications not held or use misleading titles.

Continuing professional development (CPD): Mandatory in many jurisdictions (e.g., 35 hours/year in the UK, including 20 hours in core subjects).

Fees and commissions: Must be agreed in writing before commencing work; cannot charge fees that are contingent on planning approval unless explicitly agreed.

Whistleblowing: Duty to report unsafe or illegal practices to relevant authorities; protected by law in many jurisdictions.

Building regulations: Statutory instruments that set minimum standards for design and construction (e.g., structural safety, fire, accessibility, energy efficiency). Compliance is mandatory.

Planning permission: Required for development (building works, material change of use). Development without permission is a breach of planning control; enforcement action can include stop notices and demolition orders.

Party walls: Governed by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (UK). Requires notices for works affecting shared walls, excavations near neighboring foundations, and disputes resolved via surveyors.

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM): Duties on clients, designers, and contractors to manage health and safety. Principal Designer role required for projects with more than one contractor.

Building contracts: Common forms include JCT, NEC, FIDIC. Key elements: scope, price, time, payment terms, variations, termination, and dispute resolution.

Statutory approvals: Building regulations approval (via building control body) and planning permission are separate; both may be required. Also consider listed building consent, conservation area consent, and environmental permits.

Limitation periods: Contracts typically 6 years (simple contract) or 12 years (deed); tort claims usually 6 years from damage, with a 15-year longstop (UK).

Retention: Common in construction contracts (e.g., 5% withheld, half released on practical completion, remainder after defects period).

Planning application process: Validation, consultation, determination (typically 8 weeks for minor, 13 weeks for major), and decision. Appeals to the Secretary of State (or equivalent) within 6 months.

Building regulations application: Full plans or building notice. Full plans decision within 5 weeks (or extended). Completion certificates issued on satisfactory completion.

Listed buildings: Listed building consent required for alterations affecting character. Works without consent are criminal offences.

Institute regulation (e.g., RIBA): Chartered practices must comply with RIBA Code of Practice; members must adhere to Code of Professional Conduct. Complaints handled by Professional Conduct Committee.

Architects Registration Board (ARB) (UK): Maintains register; sets standards for education and practice; investigates complaints of unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence.

Statutory consultee responses: Local authorities must consult bodies like Environment Agency, Historic England, and Highways Authority for certain applications.

Fees and charges: Planning fees vary by development type and size; building control fees are set by local authorities or approved inspectors.

Enforcement: Planning enforcement notices can require reversal of unauthorized works; building regulations enforcement can require removal or alteration of non-compliant work.

RIBA Plan of Work stages: 0 Strategic Definition, 1 Preparation and Brief, 2 Concept Design, 3 Developed Design, 4 Technical Design, 5 Manufacturing and Construction, 6 Handover and Close Out, 7 In Use.

Contract administration: Architect often acts as Contract Administrator under JCT contracts; role includes issuing instructions, certifying payments, and assessing extensions of time.

Payment certifying: Must act impartially; certify amounts due based on valuation and contract terms. Interim certificates at agreed intervals; final certificate at end of defects period.

Variations: Must be instructed in writing; valuation by agreement or by rates in contract or by fair valuation. Variations can affect time and cost.

Extensions of time (EOT): Contractor must give notice of delay; architect assesses entitlement based on relevant events. Failure to notify can bar claim.

Liquidated damages (LDs): Pre-agreed sum per period of delay; must be genuine estimate of loss, not a penalty. Architect certifies delay and LDs.

Practical completion: Stage when works are complete except for minor defects; triggers release of half retention, start of defects period, and insurance/risk transfer.

Defects liability period: Typically 12 months; contractor must rectify defects notified by architect. Final certificate after expiry.

Programme and progress: Architect monitors progress against programme; may instruct acceleration or resequencing if delay occurs.

Structural systems: Choice depends on span, load, and material. Common: steel frames (long span), concrete (high load), timber (sustainable, shorter spans), masonry (compressive strength).

Fire safety: Compartmentation (fire resistance periods e.g., 30/60/90 minutes), means of escape (travel distances), and fire suppression. Approved Document B (UK) provides guidance.

Thermal performance: U-values measure heat loss (W/m²K); lower is better. Target Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEE) and Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) for compliance with Part L.

Acoustics: Sound insulation requirements (e.g., Approved Document E). Impact and airborne sound; use mass, isolation, and absorption.

Accessibility: Approved Document M (UK) or ADA (US) sets standards for accessible routes, door widths, and sanitary facilities.

Sustainability: BREEAM, LEED, and Passivhaus are rating systems. Embodied carbon and operational energy are key considerations.

Building information modelling (BIM): ISO 19650 sets standards for information management. Level 2 BIM mandatory on UK public projects.

Professional competence: Architects must only undertake work within their competence; if not, must collaborate with specialists. Keep skills updated through CPD.