Only qualified site supervisors can supervise structural building works.
Qualified site supervisors are classified into two categories, namely resident engineer and clerk-of-works. Resident engineers are qualified to supervise any building works regardless of project cost whereas for clerk-of-works, the following apply:
- The project cost does not exceed $15m for any building works other than bungalows, semi-detached, terraced or linked houses up to 3 storeys.
- The project cost does not exceed $30m for any building works in respect of bungalows, semi-detached, terraced or linked houses up to 3 storeys.
A resident engineer (RE) means any person appointed by the qualified person for the purpose of the Building Control Act and who -
- is a professional engineer in the civil or structural engineering descipline registered under the Professional Engineers Act;
- possesses a university degree or any professional qualification recognised by the Professional Engineers Board (PEB) for registration as a professional engineer in the civil or structural discipline; or
- processes any other qualification acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control
A clerk-of-works (COW) means any person appointed by the qualified person for the purpose of the Building Control Act and who -
- processes a degree from any local university or a diploma from any local polytechnic in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering and has at least 12 months of practical experience in full-time supervision of structural works in construction sites after obtaining such degree or diploma; or
- posses any other qualification acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control as has such period of postgraduate practical experience in full-time supervision of structural works in construction sites as may be determine by he Commissioner of Building Control.
The application for acceptance as a site supervisor can be submitted separately, or together with the application for permit to carry out building works, to the Commissioner of Building Control. If the qualification and experience of the applicant are acceptable, the Commissioner of Building Control will issue a Letter of Acceptance to the site supervisor concerned. Hence they do not have to submit their particulars as REs/COWs to the Commissioner of Building Control for other subsequent permit applications, except to attach a copy of their Letter of Acceptance . Application for such purposes should be done on the relevant BCA forms.
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