The use of ‘off the shelf’ standard architectural details

This article has come about because I keep seeing adverts on various Social Media channels offering 'standard' architectural details for sale.

While this can save a lot of time and effort in considering and detailing a building, In our view care should be given as to how such details are used and the associated responsibilities and liabilities that exist. It is also worth remembering that very few buildings are readily repeatable and subtle nuances do exist, from component parts, systems and their coordination through to site conditions, location, elevation and orientation of the intended building.

1 - Liability

Check who holds the liability for the drawings. Liability can be transferred for drawings by way of contracts and associated terms and conditions. Do you have a suitable system in place for reviewing and confirming that details are suitable and relevant for the building you are designing. How do you plan to deal with omissions that may exist on such drawings. (I have seen examples from one set of information that doesn't show or denote cavity barriers that would be needed to satisfy regulatory requirements).

2 - Insurances

Check what your professional indemnity insurance says around the use of such third party standard details. Is the use of them excluded from cover by way of wording in your insurance policy or do you need to take extra precautions prior to their use.

3 - Copyright

Who owns the copyright within the drawings that you're using and are you able to provide a suitable licence to the client, contractor and others who need to use that design information for their work in connection with the project. Could this put you in breach of your appointment? Consider how copyright is dealt with under your formal appointment, do you give a client the ability to use that on just the project in question or is the copyright licence wider in scope.

4 - Building Control and Warranty provider requirements

Drawings may not be fully building control or warranty provider compliant, how are you intending to check their compliance and suitability? Remember Approved Building Control Inspectors don't have to provide full plans approval certificates before projects can be progressed and the Building Safety Regulator can prevent construction works from starting if they aren't happy with the information and level of detail provided.

5 - Appointment

Before purchasing and using any 'third' party design check what your appointment documents show. Could your purchase of such details be classed as subcontracted design? Does your appointment permit sub contracted design works or does it require notification? If the design team is to be novated to another owner or contractor does the novation agreement permit such to be used and how does it deal with responsibilities. Also consider what requirements may be imposed as a result of collateral warranties

6 - Are the details descriptive or prescriptive and what is your client expecting

If your client is expecting a prescriptive building specification then it's likely that 'descriptive' standard details will need some considerable research and development (including dimensionally). Be aware that all manufacturers have nuances in their individual system designs that link to their own warranties, guarantees and testing regimes. Where products need to achieve a specific performance requirement such as cavity barriers are they adequately described in the details (and is 'or similar as approved' appropriate). Carefully consider the element interfaces and the components to be used to ensure that a building has the best chance of being defect free.

7 - Due Diligence

If you are planning to purchase standard architectural details, do your due diligence on the supplier. Are they being sourced from an individual or a company? What is their origin? What is the financial standing of that company? Do they have a track record of producing quality information? Are they based in your country and therefore have knowledge of the relevant regulations? If they retain liability are they able to provide the relevant insurance cover for the duration your appointment sets out?

8 - Be clear on the Level of Detail you are providing and for which elements

Try to be clear on each building element as to the Level of Detail you are providing for each individual building element. This could be a very basic indication of an item through to a fully prescriptive specification of the item. The level of detail should be appropriate for the stage of work and its purpose. This is a great article by NBS on Levels of Detail and Levels of Information https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/level-of-detail-lod-and-digital-plans-of-work

Overall the use of standard architectural details can be helpful in quickly completing the design of a project, but care should be taken as to the source of such information, its relevance to a project and the components and systems being used, the site and its conditions, regulatory and warranty provider requirements and in relation to copyright, insurances and appointment requirements to ensure that issues do not arise as a result of their use. Clients should be aware that such drawings are readily available and marketed on social media and should consider the risks associated with consultants using such.

This article was first posted on HLME’s LinkedIn page on 23rd January 2023