It’s been a year since the Building Safety Act 2022 gained Royal Assent, marking a pivotal moment in the realm of building regulations in the UK. As the industry navigates the implications and aligns operations with the Act, it's crucial to assess the current landscape and gaze into the future of building safety.
In a significant move earlier this year, the Government orchestrated the inaugural Building Safety Regulator (BSR) conference in March 2023 at Central Hall in Westminster. This assembly aimed to acquaint industry stakeholders with pivotal changes effective from April 2023, set for full implementation by October 2023.
A standout highlight from the conference was the imminent full operationalisation of the Building Safety Regulator by April 2023. Notably, the principal accountable person, legally entrusted with a building’s structure and exterior, is mandated to register high-rise residential buildings starting April 1st, 2023. With a six-month registration window, before it becomes obligatory, failure to register a high-risk building with the BSR by April 2024 will constitute a criminal offense. (For detailed registration processes, click here to find out more.
Simultaneously, building control professionals and private building control organisations are required to register with the BSR—a registration window that commenced in October 2023, allowing six months before it becomes mandatory by April 2024.
A pivotal change under the Act is the concept of the 'golden thread' of information, a reference to Dame Judith Hackitt's report, "Building a Safer Future." This golden thread serves as a comprehensive informational conduit, supporting duty holders in the design, construction, and management phases of buildings. Ensuring safety across a building’s lifecycle, this thread warrants accurate information accessibility for stakeholders involved. (Further guidance on information storage can be found here.
Despite efforts to propagate awareness about the golden thread, industry readiness remains uncertain. The Chartered Institute of Building's collaboration with i3PT Certification in December 2020 revealed a significant gap—while most respondents displayed confidence in their understanding of the golden thread, less than half believed their organisations shared this level of comprehension.
Challenges loom not only within the industry's readiness but also within the legislative timeline, capacity constraints of the BSR for enforcement, and a pressing shortage of building control inspectors to execute new functions. Addressing the shortage, the Government pledged £42 million in March 2023 to recruit over 200 inspectors and fire-protection officers, bolstering support for the high-rise building safety regime.
As the Government lays out secondary legislation, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) advocates for industry-wide comprehension of the Act's implications, regardless of involvement in high-risk buildings. The evolving nature of the building safety regime indicates forthcoming regulations for diverse building types. (For CIOB advice and guidance, refer here.
Amidst these changes and challenges, the industry braces for further evolution in the building safety landscape. As secondary legislation unfolds and industry stakeholders adapt, the overarching goal remains clear: to ensure the safety and security of buildings and their occupants, both now and in the years to come.
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