Description
Course leaders
Dr Liam Ross
Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Edinburgh and author of Pyrotechnic Cities. Liam’s research and teaching focus on fire, risk, regulation and the relationship between society and the built environment.
Paul Bussey
Chartered Architect, member of the RIBA Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety and Senior Technical Consultant at AHMM. Paul brings extensive experience in fire safety, regulatory compliance and design risk management.
Why take this course?
Many architects understand the importance of the Building Safety Act and the role of the Principal Designer. What can be less clear is how these responsibilities translate into day-to-day practice on smaller projects.
Questions around liability, documentation, professional indemnity insurance and compliance have led some practitioners to avoid taking on the role altogether. Others are already acting as Principal Designer but want greater confidence that their processes are robust, proportionate and aligned with current expectations.
This course addresses those concerns directly.
Drawing on expertise from architects, educators and practitioners actively working in the sector, it provides practical insight into:
- Acting as Principal Designer under both CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act
- Managing design risk in a proportionate way
- Producing and maintaining appropriate project records
- Understanding product certification and specification
- Reducing professional and commercial risk
- Working confidently with clients, consultants and contractors
The focus throughout is on helping you understand not only what good practice looks like, but how to implement it within the context of smaller domestic and commercial projects.
What you’ll learn
The course explores the regulatory, professional and practical issues affecting architects delivering smaller projects today.
Topics include:
- The legacy of Grenfell and its impact on professional practice
- Regulatory change and the Building Safety Act
- Principal Designer duties under CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act
- Design risk management and safer decision-making
- Building safety responsibilities for small practices
Product testing, certification and specification - Professional indemnity insurance considerations
- Practical tools and documentation for managing compliance
Alongside expert-led content, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice and discuss real-world challenges with fellow participants and course leaders.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the potential health and safety consequences of poor design decisions
- Understand the role of the architect for Fire, Health and Life-Safety on small and domestic projects
- Understand the regulatory context for Fire, Health and Life safety within the UK
- Understand the principles of design risk management, and the key documents you need to track project compliance on small projects
- Understand the civil liability and insurance implications of design decisions
- Understand the fundamental of fire science, and demonstrate an ability to limit the spread of fire and smoke through passive design principles
- Understand the significance of product specification for fire-safety, and be able to make informed decisions about materials and detailing for fire-safety
- Understand the key information required for Fire, Health and Life Safety
How you’ll learn
The course combines flexible online study with a live interactive workshop.
Before the live session, you’ll work through a series of expert-led recordings, complete a knowledge check and reflect on how building safety requirements relate to your own projects and professional responsibilities.
The live workshop provides an opportunity to discuss key themes with subject experts and peers, explore examples of project documentation and review practical approaches that can be adapted for use within your own practice.
Participants will also receive access to a range of supporting resources, including a Principal Designer Toolkit Lite developed specifically for smaller projects.
Who should attend?
This course is designed for:
- Architects in practice
- Sole practitioners
- Architects working in small and medium-sized practices
- Architectural technologists
- Architectural assistants and emerging professionals
- Built environment professionals undertaking designer duties
- Those currently acting as, or considering taking on, the Principal Designer role for domestic and small commercial projects
Apply your learning in practice
This course is designed to go beyond compliance and help you build confidence in applying building safety principles within everyday practice.
You’ll leave with practical tools, examples and approaches that can be implemented immediately on your own projects, helping you deliver safer outcomes for clients while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Technical requirements
To maximize your learning experience, you’ll need access to:
- A personal computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device with audio and video playback capability
- Internet access (broadband connection recommended)
- An up-to-date web browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
- Open PDF documents with programs such as Adobe.
- A smartphone with an Authenticator application such as Microsoft Authenticator to generate a time-based one-time code for secure sign in (see our MFA FAQs for details)
Keep in mind that if you’re using a system with a firewall, you may need to allow pop-ups and access to YouTube.
Enrolment details
Enrol today for the next cohort of this course. For group bookings: please contact academy@ube.ac.uk to discuss your requirements.
Got any questions about our short courses or need help with your application? Get in touch with our friendly admissions team using the following details:
UK (Free): 0800 019 9697 (Press 1)
International: +44 (0)118 921 4696 (Press 1)
Email: enquiries@ube.ac.uk
London School of Architecture and University of the Built Environment
In May 2025, the London School of Architecture (LSA) merged with the University of the Built Environment (at the time UCEM), uniting two innovative institutions with a shared commitment to accessible, practice-led education in the built environment. The merger brings together our institution’s long-standing expertise in professional and flexible learning with the LSA’s pioneering approach to architectural education. Together, we are expanding opportunities for aspiring architects and built environment professionals to gain qualifications in a way that is practical, inclusive, and aligned with industry needs. The LSA continues to operate as a distinct school delivering its specialist programmes. Its community of students and partners benefit from the increased collaboration and opportunity the wider University brings.
Discounted entry for LSA or UCEM Alumni
If you are an alumni of either the London School of Architecture (LSA), the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) or University of the Built Environment; you are able to receive a 15% discount on the full price of this product by inputting a specific Alumni coupon code at the Online Academy check out page. Contact enquiries@ube.ac.uk to receive your alumni discount. Don’t forget to request this BEFORE completing your registration as discounts cannot be applied retrospectivly.
Data Protection
As stated in Clause 13 of the Online Academy Conditions of Sale; University of the Built Environment Online Academy warrants that in processing Personal Data relating to or provided by you (“the DELEGATE”)
- It will comply with the University of the Built Environment Privacy and Data Protection Policies
- It will comply with its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 and the Data Protection Act 2018
- It has in place appropriate technical and organisational security measures against unauthorised or unlawful processing of Personal Data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, Personal Data
In this Clause 13, Personal Data has the meaning given in the General Data Protection Regulation 2016.
For the purposes of measurement of success, University of the Built Environment will provide registration and course completion data to The London School of Architecture.
Cancellation policy
The University recognises that a change in circumstances can sometimes be unavoidable and that delegates who register for a scheduled event may need to withdraw or change their original registration. If you are unable to attend this scheduled CPD course you are booked on, you may request to substitute another person to attend in your place provided you notify us in writing at academy@ube.ac.uk at least five working days before the event.
Refunds are calculated as follows upon receipt of the written request to academy@ube.ac.uk
- More than 28 days before the course start date: Online Academy will retain 20% of the fees due
- 28-14 days before the course start date: Online Academy will retain 50% of the fees due
- Less than 14 days before the start date: Online Academy will retain 100% of the fees due
In the unlikely event of the University of the Built Environment withdrawing a course, all course fees paid will be refunded, however the Online Academy will not be liable for any other costs or losses incurred.
