Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, there have been a number of additions and changes made in 2025.
As the construction sector has to change and adapt to new regulations, it is important to break down the changes so that you can stay compliant.
What has changed with the Building Safety Act?
One of the main things that has been clarified with recent amendments is what constitutes a high-risk building.
High-risk buildings are taller buildings that pose a challenge for rescuing people in the event of a fire.
The Building Safety Act defines a building as high-risk if it is a residential block with two or more homes that is at least 18 metres tall or is seven storeys or more.
A recent clarification means that any residential element of a building can pull it into high-risk status, where previously only the residential floors counted towards the storey threshold.
There has also been an enhancement of the role and responsibilities of people the Act classifies as duty holders.
Principal contractors, designers, and clients are now explicitly defined as duty holders at every stage of design, construction, and occupation.
This will have far-reaching consequences for the construction sector as the burden of responsibility is shared and upheld by more parties.
Regardless of what part of the construction sector you operate in, it is your duty to remain vigilant and report any concerns that arise immediately.
Part of this process is the formation of the golden thread.
The golden thread refers to the digital record-keeping of fire and structural safety information that covers the entire lifespan of a building.
The idea is that the full construction history of a building should be traceable so everyone involved in future maintenance can understand the conditions of the building.
For those involved in high-risk buildings, there is a new requirement for professionals to hold accredited qualifications or be registered under a recognised competency framework.
These qualifications should be kept up to date otherwise, an individual or organisation risks noncompliance.
How do the changes impact the construction sector?
A thorough review of existing projects should be conducted in light of the new regulations to ensure there are no gaps in compliance.
It may be necessary to resubmit documentation if planning permission has been given but work has yet to commence to ensure that the project is in line with the new guidelines.
All employees need to be trained in relation to the new guidelines, and all subcontractors’ staff must meet the new competence thresholds.
Improving record keeping will help form the golden thread but also ensure that you are able to prove that compliance has been maintained should there be any issues in the future.
Contracts should be updated to incorporate new risk factor considerations, especially for work in high-risk buildings.
On the whole, the Building Safety Act is working to make the construction sector safer both for those who work in it and those who benefit from it.
Seeking professional advice is always the best way to stay up-to-date with changes to legislation.
Our expert team is on hand to help guide you through the changes.
Help make the construction sector safer for all. Speak to our team today!