Building Safety Act update:   As of end April 2022, the Building Safety Act has become law.  This Act covers safety requirements for residential buildings over 7 storeys (or 18m) with multiple occupants.  This legislation is resulting from the Hackitt Report following Grenfell Tower fire.
Approvals are required at certain ’Gateways’.  There are three gateways including at the stages of Planning and Building Regulations.
Since August 2021, there is already a requirement to produce a Fire Safety Statement, covering the principles and approach to fire safety for such buildings, and at this early stage the project team will need to state which guidance they will be following: Approved Document B or BS 9991.
There will also be a new Regulator, and the HSE will become a statutory consultee.
A ‘golden thread’ of information needs to be collected and retained during the design process, containing information on fire and structure.
The Act also covers student accommodation and redevelopment of existing buildings that fall into the above category.