New Building Safety Authority

Summary

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) transitioned into the Building Control Authority for higher-risk buildings in England on October 1, 2023. This shift aims to enhance building safety and accountability within the construction industry. The new regulations introduce stricter oversight and emphasize compliance throughout a building’s lifecycle.

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

** Main Story**

Okay, so, remember October 1st, 2023? That’s when things really shifted for UK construction. The Building Safety Regulator, or BSR, took over as the Building Control Authority for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England. This was all thanks to the Building Safety Act 2022, and it’s a direct response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy – a real push for better building safety and accountability, wouldn’t you agree?

What Exactly is a ‘Higher-Risk Building’ Anyway?

Figuring out what qualifies as a higher-risk building (HRB) is key. The Act defines them as multi-occupied residential buildings, hospitals, and care homes that hit certain height and occupancy marks. Think at least 18 meters tall or seven stories or more, with a minimum of two residential units. That said, not everything fits neatly. Hospitals, care homes used entirely as such, secure residential institutions, hotels, and even military barracks are out of this classification, even if they meet those height and occupancy things. It’s really about the ‘in-occupation’ phase, focusing on what owners and managers need to do once people are actually living or staying in these buildings.

So, What’s Actually Changed?

There’s been quite a few changes, lets have a look at some of the major ones:

• BSR Approval is Now a Must: Forget choosing your own building control body. Developers have to get the BSR’s okay before starting new HRB projects or making big changes to existing ones. This is all about consistent safety standards and making sure someone’s really watching the plans.

• Hello, Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs): The BSR’s got these MDTs – registered building inspectors and other specialists – to check out building control applications. They dig deep and can add conditions for approval, kind of like a super-detailed review board throughout construction.

• Evidence is Everything: It’s not just about saying you’re compliant, you’ve got to show it. Designers now have to hand over fully compliant plans and be involved during construction. They need to prove they’re meeting requirements with actual evidence. No more just hoping for the best. I heard a story the other day about a developer who tried to cut corners, didn’t provide the right documentation, and got hit with a huge fine. Really makes you think, doesn’t it?

• Real Teeth: The BSR can issue compliance notices, stop notices, and even bring legal action if something’s not up to snuff. They’re not messing around. And it’s not just about buildings; the BSR regulates the Building Control profession too. They can fine, suspend, or even prosecute building controllers who aren’t meeting standards. It all boils down to competency and professionalism. A colleague mentioned that some controllers are nervous about these changes, but I reckon it’s a good thing overall.

A New Chapter for Building Safety, But With Caveats

We’re definitely in a new era for building safety in England. The BSR’s got a much bigger role to play now, with the goal to create a culture of proactive safety management and accountability from start to finish for HRBs. It’s not going to be easy, and the industry is facing some challenges to implement the changes, but it’s a vital step toward a safer built environment. It is worth noting, though, that these new rules are specific to England; building regulations are devolved across the UK, so things might look quite different in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Also, as of today, April 10, 2025, the regulations are active, so everyone in the industry needs to understand and follow them. Having said that, it’s important to keep an eye on the latest updates from the BSR and other government sources, as guidance and regulations can change over time. It’s a bit of a moving target, isn’t it? Keeping up to date on current changes can feel like a full time job.