The 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy in London spurred a public inquiry and prompted various building industry professions to reconsider the concept of competence.
Competence differs significantly from mere experience, as outdated or incorrect practices can result in severe repercussions. This is particularly evident in areas such as building design, refurbishment, and cladding specification, all of which underscore the necessity for genuine competence to avoid critical errors.
Furthermore, the principle of competence is indispensable for structural engineers and surveyors, whose roles, though distinct from direct building work, require accuracy and expertise. Inadequate property surveys conducted by incompetent individuals can lead to missed errors and poor advice. Such shortcomings might compel clients to purchase unsuitable properties, only to face unanticipated costly repairs that were not flagged during pre-purchase surveys.
A notable concern within structural engineering is the reliance on non-qualified individuals for design calculations, often resulting in substandard reports from junior and unchartered engineers. While the ramifications of poor reporting may be less dramatic than calculation errors that endanger a building’s structural integrity, both situations fundamentally emphasise the critical importance of competence across the industry. Read more>