New Building Regulations

Summary

This article discusses the key changes to UK Building Regulations that came into effect on October 1, 2023. These changes introduce new dutyholder roles and responsibilities, a revised building control approval process, and a shift in oversight for higher-risk buildings to the Building Safety Regulator. Understanding these changes is crucial for anyone involved in construction projects in the UK.

Focus360 Energy: property compliance services – pre-planning to post-construction. Learn more.

** Main Story**

Okay, so the UK building regulations have gone through a pretty major overhaul recently, haven’t they? October 1st, 2023, marked a real turning point, and honestly, it’s something we all need to get our heads around. The Building Safety Act 2022 brought in a whole bunch of changes impacting pretty much every aspect of construction. From the initial design phase right through to the final sign-off. The goal, of course, is to make buildings safer and make sure everyone’s accountable.

Dutyholder Roles: No More Passing the Buck

One of the biggest changes, without a doubt, is how they’ve formalized dutyholder roles. I mean, previously, it felt a bit like trying to pin down who was responsible for what could be, well, a challenge. Now, we’ve got five key dutyholder categories: clients, principal designers, designers, principal contractors, and contractors. Each one comes with their own specific legal duties under the Building Regulations.

These regulations are all about competence, cooperation, and clear communication; you know, the stuff that sounds obvious but doesn’t always happen in practice. Clients, for instance, have to make sure that the dutyholders they appoint are actually up to the job, whereas designers need to confirm that the client knows their own responsibilities. And contractors? They’re responsible for making sure workers have proper supervision and the info they need to comply. It’s all about making things crystal clear, so there’s no room for ambiguity, and everyone knows exactly where they stand. I remember one project where… well, let’s just say defining who was in charge of fire safety would have saved us a lot of headaches.

Building Control: A Whole New Ballgame

The building control approval process has changed a lot too. The most significant difference is with higher-risk buildings (HRBs) which are buildings over 18 meters or seven stories with at least two residential units, or hospitals and care homes during design and construction. Now, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is the ONLY building control authority for these projects.

That means developers can’t choose between local authorities or approved inspectors anymore. The BSR’s involvement is there to make sure that safety standards are rigorously followed, and they do so. For non-HRBs, the process is similar. However, you need to submit additional information, like details about dutyholders, fire safety considerations, and confirmation that the project isn’t an HRB. Which seems obvious, but, you know, better safe than sorry.

BSR Taking the Reins on Higher-Risk Buildings

So, the BSR’s expanded role? It’s a pretty fundamental shift. Before, the responsibility was shared between local authorities and approved inspectors. But now, for HRBs, the BSR is the sole authority. This streamlines oversight and promotes more consistent application of safety standards. Plus, they’ve introduced “gateways,” requiring BSR approval at key project stages. Gateway 2, for example, needs you to submit a building control approval application before you even start construction. And Gateway 3 involves a BSR assessment of the completed work before anyone can move in. They’re really emphasizing that “golden thread” of information throughout the whole project. It’s about proving you’ve done everything right, every step of the way. I, for one think this is a good idea, a good audit trail is always helpful when it comes to proving compliance.

Navigating the Shift

There were transitional provisions in place, letting projects that were already underway before October 1st, 2023, continue under the old system if work started before April 6th, 2024. However, any new projects started after October 1st, 2023, are under the new regulations. As of today, April 23, 2025, all projects are subject to the new regulations, including higher-risk and non-higher-risk buildings. Understanding which rules apply based on the project timeline is key for compliance.

Commencement of Work and Initial Notices

They’ve also refined what “commencement of work” actually means, and it depends on the building type. For new higher-risk buildings, it’s when you pour the concrete for the foundations or start piling. For existing HRBs, its just the start of any work. Other building work? It’s considered commenced when 15% of the specified work is complete. It’s important to note that these provisions apply to Initial Notices submitted after October 1st, 2023. Basically, it creates a clear starting point for the project, streamlining control of the building work. Then, there’s Regulation 38, which requires you to provide fire safety information to the responsible person for applicable buildings. So, you see the focus is on ongoing fire safety management. It did initially exempt older projects, but subsequent regulations extended it to all projects. Which is only fair, isn’t it?

The New Era of Building Safety

All in all, these changes to UK Building Regulations are a big step forward for building safety and accountability. If you’re in the construction industry, understanding and complying with these new requirements is non-negotiable. With the BSR taking a more central role, the focus on dutyholder responsibilities, and the refined approval process, we’re entering a new era where safety and accountability are front and center. Though, it is quite a daunting prospect. I mean, it’s going to take some getting used to but these changes are necessary to prevent future tragedies and to ensure that everyone living and working in buildings across the UK is safe. As of today, April 23, 2025, these regulations are firmly in place and continue to shape the construction landscape, emphasizing the importance of safety and responsible building practices. Also, it’s worth mentioning that regulations change, so make sure you’re up to date with the latest updates.