New regulator to oversee safety and performance of high-rise buildings

In recent months the Government was focused on reforming the building safety law, following the findings of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety by Dame Judith Hackitt.

The new Building Safety Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament will introduce a new Building Safety Regulator which will be responsible for regulating high-rise buildings, which are 7 storeys or higher or are 18 metres or higher and have at least two residential units or are hospitals or care homes.

The main functions of the new regulator will be:

• overseeing the safety and performance of buildings;
• helping the industry and building control professionals in improving their competence; and
• to lead the implementation of a regulatory framework for high-rise buildings.

The new regulator will be part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), rather than an entirely new body. This approach will allow the Government to mobilise the new regulator at pace, who will work under the leadership of an organisation with a well-established reputation and experience in all aspects of safety.

The Building Safety Regulator will:

• exercise its powers in line with regulatory best practice;
• take a consistent and proportionate approach;
• target enforcement activity at cases where action is needed; and
• work closely with existing regulators.

The budget and funding for the new regulator will be provided through the HSE, the local authorities, as well as fire and rescue authorities, will be compensated for their assistance that they will be expected to provide to the Building Safety Regulator in relation to the high-rise residential and other buildings within the scope. In line with the Independent review recommendations, the regulator will also be enabled to recover costs through charging fees.

Where cost recovery is not practicable, the Government will provide some additional funding.

For more information on this subject, see:

• Building Safety Bill