Class 2A Registered Building Inspector (RBI) - Local Authority Job Description

Overview of the Role

A Registered Building Inspector (RBI) is legally required to carry out restricted building control activities under the Building Act 1984, as amended by the Building Safety Act 2022. Local authorities are one of the building control bodies that employ RBIs.

A Class 2A registration indicates competence to inspect and assess plans for domestic/standard‑risk buildings, and it is often the minimum class for general or domestic building control work within councils.

Key Responsibilities

1. Conducting Regulated Building Control Activities

• Plan checking for compliance with Building Regulations.
• Site inspections to ensure that building work meets health, safety, accessibility, and energy‑efficiency standards.
• Providing technical advice to applicants, developers and colleagues regarding compliance.

2. Carrying Out Restricted Activities (legal requirement)

Only RBIs may perform restricted activities such as:

• Assessing compliance of building work
• Advising the local authority on restricted functions

3. Enforcement & Public Safety Duties

• Administering dangerous structures procedures.
• Processing demolition notices and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

4. Quality, Governance & Professional Standards

• Working to ISO 9001-based quality management systems.
• Operating within the Building Safety Regulator competence framework and maintaining professional ethics.

Competency Requirements (Class 2A)

According to the BSR Building Inspector Competence Framework, Class 2 inspectors must demonstrate:

• Ability to work on standard domestic buildings (with predictable construction types).
• Competence in technical assessments, inspections, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of structural stability, fire safety basics, accessibility, drainage, and energy performance.

Local authority roles often require:

• Class 2A licence covering both plan checking and site inspection.
• Professional membership (e.g., CABE, RICS) or working toward it.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Substantial experience in building control across a range of standard‑risk domestic buildings.
• Strong communication, customer service, and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload.
• Understanding of Operating Standards Rules, local authority procedures, and the regulatory environment.