I have a tricky situation I need and answer to from fellow architect professionals from the UK:

I am being asked as part of my employment to certify buildings that are not up to scratch from a Building Regulations point of view. The problem is our B Control Inspector is not doing his job and missing things - for example handrail to a stair in an existing apartment, smoke seals to bedroom doors, and latest one is the space between the bottom of the stair and the front door to a house. But because of overwork or whatever he is willing to approve these buildings even in their dodgy state.

The problem is I am also being asked to certify these buildings that I havent designed or been involved with before now and I am obviously under pressure from my employer because we are getting paid for the certification. But it is my professional opinion that I cannot certify something I am not happy with even if B Control approve them.

My employer is using the argument that its B Controls issue if they sign off non-compliant buildings and 'we' cant be held liable if we have pointed out the failing to the BC Inspector as I have, and in any case have PI insurance

But surely I could be held liable in negligence and struck off if I am signing of bad buildings? How would you approach this matter? We are looking around for other B Control agencies but they are all very busy and we still are using the old one because he is obviously quite flexible (too flexible in my opinion!).

Be interested to hear what you have to say on this. I think its a growing problem myself where architects are increasingly having to certify buildings during construction they have had no involvement with and therefore its too late to make radical changes. More and more developers are using this approach because its cheaper than standard warranties.