The Race to Comply with Legislation and Make Residential Buildings Safer!

In England, those responsible for higher-risk buildings continue to race towards compliance with the new legislation, overcoming numerous hurdles along the way.

Registration of High-Rise Buildings (HRBs)

The first major milestone was the 1 October 2023 deadline for registering High-Rise Buildings (HRBs) with the Regulator. Building owners had to determine if their buildings met the criteria defined by the Building Safety Act, generally referring to buildings that are 18 meters or more in height or have 7 or more storeys.

Once identified as within scope, owners had to provide Key Building Information, such as design and construction details. This initial step was challenging but crucial for proper assessment and management of the buildings.

Initial reports suggested that a significant number of high-rise buildings were registered by the deadline. However, some buildings failed to meet this deadline due to various challenges, including a lack of awareness or understanding of the requirements and administrative delays. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) reported varying compliance rates across different regions. Urban areas with a high concentration of HRBs generally showed higher registration rates compared to rural areas.

Building Safety Case & Residential Engagement Strategy

The next key date was 30 June 2024, the deadline for submitting a Building Safety Case for HRBs to the Regulator and developing and implementing a Residential Engagement Strategy.

Building Safety Case: This involves documenting how safety risks are managed in the building, including detailed risk assessments and mitigation strategies to ensure the building is safe for residents and meets all regulatory requirements.

Residential Engagement Strategy: This strategy details how building management will engage with residents regarding building safety, including communication plans, feedback mechanisms, and addressing residents' concerns.

Post-Deadline Activities

After the 30 June 2024 deadline, several key activities continue for both building owners and the BSR:

• Initial Assessment by BSR: The BSR reviews submissions and selectively calls buildings for detailed assessment.
• Feedback and Required Actions: Building owners receive feedback and must address any required actions to ensure compliance.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Engagement: Regular updates to the BSR and continuous engagement with residents are necessary.
• Preparation for Full Inspections: Building owners must ensure readiness for potential future inspections by the BSR.
• Compliance Enforcement: Owners must be aware of potential enforcement actions and develop remediation plans if necessary.

Continuing Challenges

The broader challenges remain not only in providing the correct information initially but also in managing all subsequent pieces of information that must be shared or made available upon request. While not all building owners have fully overcome these hurdles, they continue to work diligently in the background, preparing for their buildings to be reviewed by the BSR.

Conclusion

The journey towards compliance with the Building Safety Act is ongoing. Building owners must remain proactive, addressing feedback, engaging with residents, and preparing for inspections to ensure the safety and compliance of their buildings. The race is far from over, but the commitment to making residential buildings safer is unwavering.