Safety regulator sets October deadline for mandatory high-rise … – H&V News

27th February 2023 By neil merrett
Operators and owners of high-rise buildings residential in England are required to register with new regulator and nominate a named individual responsible for overall safety
Individuals with responsibility for safety in high-rise residential buildings will be given six months from April to register with the new Building Safety Regulator.
The requirements are being introduced as part of a shake-up of legal requirements following the publication of the Building Safety Act last year.   The new regulator has also been established under the act.
Under the new requirements, high-rise buildings that are at least 18 metres tall, or seven storeys high and with two or more residential units are classed as ‘higher risk’ and will need to be registered.  An estimated 12,500 buildings across England are expected to meet this criteria, according to the regulator.  The registration process will also require a named person to be responsible for maintaining building safety.
Organisations and building operators that fail to comply with the registration process by October 2023 will face an investigation and potential prosecutor by the regulator.
An awareness campaign will also be launched to inform building owners and operators about the changing regulatory requirements around registration as part of a broader industry response to issues highlighted by the Grenfell Tower Fire.
The new regulator, which will be backed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), has been charged with oversight of the safety and performance of all buildings. Part of this work will focus on also ensuring improved competence in both the engineering and building controls sectors.
Sarah Albon, chief executive of the HSE, said the October registration deadline for high-rise buildings was important step in overhauling safety in England.
She said: “We want it to be clear where responsibility for safety in these buildings lies.”
“As the Building Safety Regulator, we will draw from our experience to provide guidance and oversight for the industry and lay the foundation for a world-leading building safety regime, which is a part of our mission to protect people and places.”
Chief Inspector of Buildings Peter Baker said it was vital for ensuring the building engineering and construction sectors raised standards to ensure resident safety.
He said: “This is a landmark moment for building safety, the information provided through registration will be an invaluable part of our crackdown on unsafe building practices. Those who are responsible for high-rise residential buildings must register; failure to do so will be against the law.”
Tagged with: Building Safety Regulator (BSR) HSE Peter Baker
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