Construction businesses must begin complying with transitional arrangements set up by the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). While the rules have been in force for new builds since October last year, the transitional rules for existing projects begin in April 2024.

Under regulations brought in under the Building Safety Act of 2022, those responsible for building, financing and designing most high-rise buildings (those of at least eighteen metres or 7 storeys in height) must manage risks, satisfy competency requirements and co-operate with each other during the construction process.

Strategic plan

In fact, BSR published its first, strategic three-year plan last year. The regulator set out how it aimed to establish building control as a regulated profession with standards that apply to both the public and private sectors – as well as ensuring levels of competence within the industry. It hopes the plan will improve the safety and standards within the building control profession, improve the built environment, drive better risk management and regulate those who are responsible for planning, design and construction.

A key focus for 2023-2026 is to identify and assess emerging risks – and to adopt a risk-based approach to enforcing compliance. It has not ruled out recommending further regulatory changes where practices are unsatisfactory.

“Those involved in the design, planning and construction of HRBs will become accountable for the risks they create,” BSR said. “They will have to consider and address safety issues early. The building control process will ensure that there is greater scrutiny and oversight throughout the construction process. Buildings will meet the functional requirements of the building regulations and will adhere to the standards expected of places to live.”

Post-Grenfell 

BSR was set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire of June 2017, which cost the lives of 72 people.

“The fire exposed a sector with a broken and fragmented culture, in need of fundamental reform: a regulatory system that allowed egregious behaviour to go unchecked; homes clad in combustible materials that should never have been used; building owners failing to take responsibility; and regulators without the power or the capacity to enforce vital standards,” Michael Gove, secretary of state for levelling up and housing and communities minister for intergovernmental relations, said.

The BSR would continue to evolve its powers and reach to help ensure safer buildings in the future, he said.