All members of CIBSE, at any grade, are required to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
This Code sets out the expected standards for professional conduct and behaviours, but it is the responsibility of members to interpret and apply the requirements in the context of their own work and activities.
The term member as used in this Code applies to all members of CIBSE, irrespective of membership grade, not just to Corporate Members.
Members working outside the UK should comply with the provisions of this Code of Professional Conduct unless to do so would cause them to breach local laws or regulations or any applicable local code of conduct.
The Code of Professional Conduct is established by CIBSE Regulations and is maintained by the Professional Conduct Committee. The Code is reviewed biennially.
Requirements
1. Members shall uphold the reputation and standing of the profession
1.1 Members shall observe the provisions of the Statement of Ethical Principles published by Engineering Council and Royal Academy of Engineering as updated from time to time.
1.2 Members shall not claim to possess any expertise, skill, knowledge or title in any area of professional practice where they do not actually possess such expertise, skill, knowledge or title.
1.3 Members shall not make any statement or be a party to any statement which they know to be untrue, misleading, discriminatory or contrary to their professional knowledge.
1.4 Members who are called upon to give an opinion in their professional capacity shall, to the best of their ability, give an opinion that is objective and based upon available knowledge and evidence, clearly stating any limitations or qualifications to such opinion.
1.5 Members shall, to the best of their ability, promote the public awareness and understanding of the art, science and practice of building services engineering.
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The Statement of Ethical Principles is designed for all persons engaged in engineering. It applies with a higher degree of expectation to those who have accepted the additional obligations of membership of a professional body operating for the public benefit. - www.engc.org.uk/professional-ethics |
2. Members shall safeguard the public interest
2.1. Members shall take reasonable steps to prevent avoidable danger to the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves or any other person.
2.2. Members shall notify relevant persons (including any relevant authority) where the member, in good faith, has a concern about a danger, risk, malpractice or wrongdoing with the potential to affect others.
2.3. Members shall support a colleague who, in good faith, raises a concern about a danger, risk, malpractice or wrongdoing with the potential to affect others.
2.4. Members shall take reasonable steps to avoid or mitigate foreseeable security risks.
2.5. Members shall consider environmental impacts, promote the sustainable management of natural resources and seek to avoid adverse impacts.
2.6. Members shall consider social impacts and seek to avoid disadvantage to any sector of society.
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Members should consult the following Engineering Council Guidance: |
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The CIC Essential Principles Guide provides guidance on creating an accessible and inclusive built environment - cic.org.uk/projects/essential-principles-guide |
3. Members shall act with integrity and honesty
3.1. Members shall treat all persons fairly and with respect.
3.2. Members shall take reasonable steps to avoid any conflicts of interest and, where such conflict of interest is unavoidable, notify all relevant parties.
3.3. Members shall reject (and not engage in any) bribery or inducements, improper influence and all forms of corrupt behaviour, and make reasonable efforts to ensure others do likewise.
3.4. Members shall not deliberately or maliciously injure, or attempt to injure, the professional reputation, prospects, or business of any other person.
3.5. Members shall not unfairly discriminate by allowing personal views to affect professional relationships or the manner in which services are provided or work undertaken.
3.6. Members shall safeguard privacy and personal data and not disclose confidential information without legitimate cause or authority.
3.7. Members shall respect and protect the intellectual property of others.
3.8. Members shall assess relevant liabilities and, if appropriate, hold professional indemnity insurance. Members shall disclose to their clients whether they hold professional indemnity insurance cover and if they cease to hold cover.
3.9. Members shall disclose to their clients the basis on which they charge for their services and any other financial benefit received as a result of providing those services.
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A conflict of interest would arise where a member has any influence over or receives any benefit from another company, firm or person which may benefit directly or indirectly from their work. |
4. Members shall ensure that they are suitably competent
4.1. Members shall exercise professional skill and judgement to the best of their ability in the execution of their professional duties and the conduct of their work.
4.2. Members shall only undertake work for which they have sufficient professional and technical competence, or for which they receive competent supervision. Members shall identify and disclose any relevant limitations of their competence.
4.3. Members shall ensure that those working under their supervision are competent to carry out their instructions with supervision and shall accept appropriate responsibility for the work they supervise.
4.4. Members shall actively maintain and develop their skills and knowledge through planned continuing professional development and shall encourage those working under their supervision to develop their own skills and knowledge.
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The Building Safety Act requires that the people who carry out any design or building work have the relevant skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, and/or organisational capability to carry out work in the way that ensures compliance with Building Regulations |
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CIBSE provides guidance on planning, undertaking and recording continuing professional development (CPD) - www.cibse.org/cpd |
Application
Upon joining the institution or renewing membership, members agree that they will observe and be bound by the Charter and Bylaws together with this Code of Professional Conduct. Members agree that the Institution may pursue the disciplinary process under the Disciplinary Regulations in connection with any complaint against them in relation to this Code of Professional Conduct.
Members shall notify the Institution if they have:
- committed a breach of any aspect of this Code of Professional Conduct;
- received a criminal conviction;
- been declared bankrupt;
- been disqualified as a company director or charity trustee;
- had membership of another professional body terminated as the result of a disciplinary procedure.
Members shall notify the institution in confidence if they become aware of any significant breach of this Code of Professional Conduct by another member.
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Nothing contained in this Code of Professional Conduct in any way limits, excludes or qualifies members’ obligations to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and to comply with their contractual obligations to their clients and employers. |
This revision of the Code of Professional Conduct comes into force from 1 January 2023.