The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) are poised to review all submitted Building Safety Cases (BSC) within the next 5 years, but how are the BSR prioritising which building safety cases to review first? This blog explores the information and the likely factors that will influence the BSRs decision to review which properties Building Safety Cases first.

How are the BSR prioritising which building safety cases to review first?

It’s worth noting that The BSR’s immediate focus must be with any unregistered High-Rise Buildings (HRBs), identifying buildings yet to be registered on the Building Safety Register. All HRBs should have been registered on the Building Safety Register by October 2023. If your HRB remains unregistered, immediate action is required to avoid potential repercussions such as hefty fines or worse.

From this month (April 2024), Principal Accountable Persons will receive invitations to submit their Building Safety Cases & Reports for review. Operating on a risk-proportionate approach, the BSR will look to prioritise buildings based on their potential impact on life safety, so what are these key factors:

Height continues to serve as a pivotal factor in the BSR’s prioritisation order. Taller structures inherently pose heightened risks during emergencies, necessitating more meticulous planning and execution of evacuation procedures. 

Aluminium Cladding Material (ACM), known for its combustible properties, ACM presents a significant hazard to buildings, as was the case with the Grenfell tragedy(2017). Any building that makes use of ACM installations are a primary concern for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), warranting immediate attention to mitigate the associated risks.

Large Panel System (LPS) buildings suffer from structural vulnerabilities which have been exposed during tragedies such as the Ronan Point collapse (May 1968). Despite subsequent remediation initiatives and schemes, a subset of LPS structures remain across the UK and as such, it is likely that the BSR will prioritise these buildings.

These 3 key indicators will influence the BSRs decision on when to review a specific building safety case. There will likely be other deciding factors that will influence the BSR but height, ACM & LPS provide a good indicator as to how early your buildings BSC will be reviewed. 

For more information on Building Safety Cases please read some of our other blogs: 

Building Safety Cases vs Building Safety Case Reports: What’s the difference?

Building Safety Case Reports are a vital part of the golden thread, but how do I create one?

Mastering your Building Safety Case Reports

Building Safety Case Key Insights

At Firntec, we recognise the challenges and uncertainties that accompany evolving regulations. As specialists in building compliance, we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the process of submitting building safety cases and additional new requirements outlined in the Building Safety Act. 

Contact our team today if you have any questions about your Building Safety Case.