The Building Safety Act 2022 applies to a range of buildings, with specific provisions for certain types of buildings considered to be higher risk:

Higher-Risk Buildings: Defined as buildings that are at least 18 metres in height or have 7 or more storeys, and contain at least two residential units. This includes blocks of flats and some student accommodation, but not hotels, care homes, or hospitals, as these are governed by other safety regimes.

Residential Buildings: The Act imposes safety requirements on buildings that contain at least two residential units, even if they do not fall under the "higher-risk" category. Other residential buildings with at least two units may also have safety obligations under the Act.

Mixed-Use Buildings: Buildings with a mix of residential and commercial uses may be caught under the Act if they meet the height or storey thresholds and have at least two residential units.

Existing Buildings: The Act applies to both new and existing higher-risk buildings, bringing many older properties under its scope for inspection and retrofitting safety measures.

Building registration is a legal requirement under the Building Safety Act 2022. It must be completed by the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) and submitted to the Building Safety Regulator (HSE).

Deadline for Existing Buildings: The deadline for registering existing buildings over 18 metres in height or 7 storeys was 1st October 2023.

Registration for New Buildings: New buildings must be registered before they are occupied. This ensures that all safety requirements have been met prior to use.

Key Building Information (Phase Two): Registration includes providing detailed information about the building’s construction, design, and history. This second phase of registration, known as Key Building Information, requires substantial details about the building’s makeup.

If you have not yet registered a building that you are (or believe you could be) the Principal Accountable Person for, contact us now for assistance with the process.

From April 2024, all buildings 18 metres and over or seven storeys or more must have a Building Safety Case (BSC). The BSC is a comprehensive collection of documents and information that demonstrates how safety risks in the building are identified, managed, and mitigated.

This safety case is used to produce the Building Safety Case Report, which must be submitted to the Building Safety Regulator upon request. The regulator may request the report at any time, and it will be reviewed to ensure it meets the required standards and provides sufficient evidence that the building’s safety risks are being effectively controlled.

The BSC must be maintained as a living document, regularly updated to reflect any changes in the building’s safety profile, including modifications, maintenance activities, or operational adjustments. Ensuring the safety case is accurate and up-to-date is critical for ongoing compliance with the new regulatory framework.