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Understanding the Building Safety Act 2022: Roles, Responsibilities, and Compliance

Monday 30th September 2024

The Building Safety Act 2022 was introduced to improve safety standards in high-rise residential buildings across the UK. In response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Act aims to clarify who is responsible for building safety and establish stricter oversight.

Who Oversees Building Safety?

Under the Act, the key person responsible for ensuring compliance is the Accountable Person. This individual or entity must register the building, assess safety risks, and engage with residents on safety matters. Typically, the Accountable Person can be:

Building Owners: Owners of high-rise buildings often assume this role.

Management Companies: If a building is managed by a company, they may be the Accountable Person.

Landlords: In some cases, landlords or their representatives take on this responsibility.

The Building Safety Regulator oversees the enforcement of these duties, and all high-rise residential buildings must be registered.

"Accountable Person" vs. "Responsible Person"

While the terms "Accountable Person" and "Responsible Person" sound similar, they refer to different roles. The Accountable Person, under the Building Safety Act 2022, manages building safety risks in high-rise residential buildings. Meanwhile, the Responsible Person, defined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, is responsible for fire safety risk assessments in workplaces and other non-residential buildings.

Does Building Height or Age Matter?
Yes, the Building Safety Act focuses on high-rise residential buildings, specifically those:

- At least 18 metres tall
- Having seven or more storeys.

Buildings that meet these criteria, regardless of when they were built, must comply with the Act's safety regulations. The Act applies to both new and existing buildings to ensure consistent safety standards.

Goals of the Building Safety Act

The Act aims to enhance building safety by:

- Establishing a Building Safety Regulator to enforce compliance.

- Requiring buildings to be registered and regularly assessed.

- Designating clear accountability for building safety, particularly in high-risk, high-rise buildings.

The Building Safety Act 2022 marks a significant step towards safer residential buildings, ensuring that those responsible for managing them are accountable for residents' safety.