The Building Safety Regulator is a new role introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022 whose responsibility is to ensure the safety of higher-risk buildings.
In a nutshell:
• The Building Safety Regulator focuses on ensuring the safety of a higher-risk building throughout its lifecycle.
• All higher-risk buildings must be registered with the BSR.
• The BSR acts as a single point of accountability and focuses specifically on the safety of higher-risk buildings.
• They have enhanced powers of authority and the ability to enforce compliance.
• They ensure higher standards of expertise through specific competency requirements.
What is the role of the Building Safety Regulator?
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is responsible for overseeing building safety and standards and ensuring compliance, particularly focusing on high-rise buildings (over 18 meters or seven storeys high) and other buildings defined as ‘higher risk’.
Firstly, all higher-risk buildings must be registered with the BSR. The BSR is responsible for overseeing the certification process, ensuring that building safety risks are managed throughout the building’s lifecycle- from design and construction to occupation and refurbishment.
The BSR regulates building control bodies, including local authority building control and private sector building control. They set standards and ensure consistent application of building regulations.
Furthermore, they have enhanced powers to enforce compliance, including the ability to issue stop notices, compliance notices, and prosecute non-compliance. Previously, existing regulators had more limited enforcement capabilities and faced challenges ensuring compliance across diverse jurisdictions.
Lastly, BSR introduces specific competency requirements for individuals involved in building safety, ensuring a higher standard of expertise and accountability. They also actively promote training and development to improve industry standards to help professionals in the design, construction and building control disciplines to enhance their competence and adherence to the latest safety standards.
How do they differ from other enforcement bodies?
Existing regulators, such as local authority building control and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), have wider remits that include a wide range of building types and general health and safety issues. Whereas, the BSR specifically targets higher-risk buildings and acts as a single point of accountability.
Fire and Rescue also play a crucial role in fire and safety inspections and enforcement although the BSR has a broader mandate covering overall building safety and standards.
Ultimately, The Building Safety Regulator represents a significant shift towards a more centralised, focused, and proactive approach to managing building safety risks.