Building safety

As the latest phase of the post-Grenfell building safety regime kicks in, CN talks to two of its designers about how the new regulator is taking to its role In April, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which sits under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), took over full responsibility for…

The final report into the Grenfell Tower fire has been delayed for a third time – with its expected publication now pushed later into the summer. It was initially hoped that the report would be published last autumn, before being moved to early this year. In its last progress update…

A government-commissioned review has floated the creation a new body for transforming existing buildings – to oversee cladding work, retrofitting and decent homes standards. A regular review into the effectiveness of Homes England, which recommended that it transfer its current building safety responsibilities elsewhere, suggested a new cross-departmental body might…

Clients should pay for extra costs incurred by scaffolders due to measures in the Building Safety Act, according to the head of a trade body. On Saturday, (6 April), the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) took responsibility for signing-off all designs for high-risk residential buildings before construction can begin. Any changes…

Eric Johnstone is a legal director at law firm Brodies LLP  On 1 October 2023, the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) brought in a new building-control regime for higher-risk buildings (HRBs). Under the new regime, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is responsible for building-control approval for works to new and…

More than half of submitted applications for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) lack the “basic information” showing they meet requirements, according to regulator chiefs. From tomorrow (6 April), the new building safety regime means that all new residential schemes above 18 metres in height must pass the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR’s) “gateway…

Less than two-thirds of the expected number of building inspectors had applied for new competence certification when the government extended the deadline in March. Last July, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said that 4,500 building-control professionals would need to be certified by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) by 6…

Introducing second staircases to new high-rise housing towers will cost the industry £2.7bn over the next decade, official analysis has shown. The government last week published official guidance encouraging inclusion of a second means of escape from blocks of flats taller than 18 metres. Documents released alongside this verdict revealed…

A 59-year-old man has been jailed for eight months after overseeing the illegal removal of 10 tonnes of asbestos-containing material from a building during a student accommodation project in Hampshire. Cavendish Winchester director Stephen Davies was handed the prison sentence at Southampton Crown Court following an investigation by the Health…

The government has published its official guidance encouraging the inclusion of second staircases in blocks of flats taller than 18 metres – plus advice on adding evacuation lifts. Some contractors paused work on high-rise schemes when the government announced its intention to consult on how to improve fire safety by…