The Building Safety Act 2022 was a significant outcome of 'Building a Safer Future' consultation by the government. It aimed to reform the UK's building safety system by improving control and transparency in fire safety and structural safety for new and existing buildings that are at least 18 metres tall.
Managers and owners of existing and new buildings are approaching an important requirement outlined in the Building Safety Act 2022. With proper preparation and organisation, this process should be swift and simple. The Health and Safety Executive, along with the building safety regulator, will enforce the new Act to ensure compliance. Failure to comply can result in costly consequences and reputational damage. Registration is still possible, and this article aims to guide you on what to expect and the necessary steps to prepare for registering your High-Rise, High-Risk Buildings (HRHRB) with the regulator.
Where to begin?
Identify and register HRHRB under your control with the building safety regulator before September 2023. This registration enables you to apply for a building safety certificate, allowing continued occupancy.
Review management contractual agreements to determine control of the premises for registration purposes. Ensuring compliance avoids potential implications of unfit occupation and associated financial or reputational damage.
Register occupied buildings at least 18 metres high with a minimum of two residential dwellings between April 12th and September 30th, 2023. Failure to register by this date will be an offense under the Building Safety Act 2022. Newly built buildings after October 1st, 2023, require a completion certificate and must be registered before occupancy.
The Application Process:
Before completing the online registration form, gather the following information:
- Building's name, address, postcode
- Names and contact details of the building's 'Accountable Person(s)'
- Building information including number of floors above ground level, height of the building, number of residential units
- Completion date
Each building must be registered separately at a cost of £251. Visit the government website for registration and more details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-a-high-rise-residential-building
After Registration
Submit additional structure and safety information for your residential buildings by September 30th, 2023. If registered as a new build on or after September 30th, you have 28 days to provide the required information, including basic building information
- Construction details
- Resident profiles
- Refurbishment information
- Fire prevention measures
- Structural safety information
- Services and utilities details
- Maintenance and inspection information
- Safety case report.
The additional information is crucial for compliance with health and safety regulations for your HRHRB, preventing non-compliance. Notify the Building Safety Regulator of any changes to your registered building. Obtaining this information for older sites may be more challenging but digitizing it to new construction management standards ensures an easily accessible system for all sites, regardless of age, maintaining consistent standards.
Call To Action
Gathering information for compliance may seem daunting, but it involves identifying relevant information, assessing existing data, and determining where to start. To ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Fire & Structural Protocol for your HRHRB, it's important to address key points. We have compiled a list to guide you:
- Compartmentation surveys
- Fire safety system analysis
- Access/egress assessment
- Assistance in finding suppliers for surveys
- Fire safety systems support for safety case and resident engagement strategies.
The additional information requested after registration will be included in your digital safety case report, helping you assess your building's risks more easily once the new system is implemented.
Perry Martin Client Services & Marketing Executive at 4site Consulting
