Builders, surveyors, engineers, and architects have been providing photographic evidence of their work for years, however it is now mandatory under Part L of the Building Regulations. This regulation is aimed at providing clearer evidence on-site for building work started after 15th June 2023.
Part L Photographic Evidence requires house builders and developers to “demonstrate that any new builds and/or refurbished dwellings are constructed to meet building regulation standards. Failure to meet these criteria means SAP assessors cannot release EPCs and the new BREL Report for plot completion and requires all photos to be taken at appropriate stages of construction when each detail is completed and before closing works.”
One of the most effective methods for capturing ongoing building project photography is through the use of a smartphone camera. Today’s phone cameras offer the benefits of portability, accessibility, the saving of location and time the shot was taken and image transfer. However, while using a smartphone camera is relatively straightforward, builders, surveyors, and architects must be able to capture high-quality images in various scenarios and, critically, over different periods of a build’s construction. As well as evidence for Part L, in the event of legal action, these images will play a crucial role in any investigation and could be the deciding factor in the case's outcome. The Grenfell tragedy in 2017 saw the Building Safety Bill come into effect, requiring a ‘golden thread’ of building information to be created, stored and updated throughout the building’s lifecycle. Although photographic evidence isn’t cited as mandatory under the Building Safety Bill, it can certainly help with evidence building.
Effective use of a smartphone camera in building project photography requires the photographer to be adept at adjusting to different light levels, settings, and focuses, from wider landscape shots to detailed parts of the building’s infrastructure. Building sites tend not to have the best lighting, or ease of access to get to the shots you need, and this is why our tailored smartphone photography training for site staff is invaluable. This training will equip participants with the skills to operate their phone camera effectively for documentation, making sure the subject is clear, in focus and properly lit. Harsh shadows from a flash, for example, can alter the the perspective and give a false representation.
Jet Black Squares run smartphone photography sessions throughout the UK, and we can tailor our sessions to your operation's exact needs. We can run them on site or at a location of your choice, and we also offer online sessions too. We also offer smartphone videography sessions in London and Manchester.
If you would like to learn more about our smartphone photography training, don't hesitate to get in touch with Jet on jet@jetblacksquares.com or through the link below.