Quality Resource

Building Safety Act 2022 Advice & Guidance

The Building Safety Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022, making ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights, powers, and protections – so homes across the country are safer.

Last updated: 7th September 2023

What does the Building Safety Act 2022 Mean for the Devolved Nations?

CIOB’s policy and public affairs team has compiled information on the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 aspects that relate to the devolved nations and what actions the devolved nations are taking to address building safety. 

Read our comparator document.

Building Safety Act 2022 - Frequently Asked Questions (last updated - 13 November 2023)

Throughout this section of the page you can find a series of frequently asked questions about the Building Safety Act 2022 and aspects of the new safety regime. 

Build UK - Building Safety Guide

Build UK has published a guide to the new building safety regime, which has been designed to ensure businesses across the construction sector are aware of their responsibilities. Ahead of the next phase of the regime coming into effect from 1 October, the guide is being regularly updated to reflect the regulations and supporting guidance that are being published, alongside Build UK’s timeline showing when key changes are taking effect to support the implementation of the Building Safety Act.

Access the guide by clicking here

CIOB Safer Buildings Conference 2022

In May 2022 the CIOB hosted its first safer buildings conference. 

More than 200 professionals from across the built environment sector gathered to hear from many of the senior figures behind the UK’s building safety regulatory regime. 

The conference brought together perspectives on the new regulatory system that will govern the design, construction and occupation of higher-risk buildings, described as the biggest change in building safety in a generation.

Delegates heard from, among others, government ministers and industry experts on plans to implement the Building Safety Act and ongoing work across the industry to raise levels of competency and develop a culture of quality.

Keynote speakers included Dame Judith Hackitt DBE, chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and Peter Baker, former Chief Inspector of Buildings at the Health & Safety Executive, who both thanked CIOB and many of the other professional bodies who are “aligned” to the need for culture change to support the implementation of the Building Safety Act.

The conference sessions were recorded and are now available to view through CIOB's Academy here

CIOB Building Safety Qualifications

Through the CIOB Academy and our registered partners we provide a variety of qualifications relating to building safety to ensure that the industry is prepared and properly skilled for the new competencies required as part of the Building Safety Act 2022. 

Some of our current qualifications include: 

 

  • Certificate in Fire Safety for Construction - The CIOB Certificate in Fire Safety for Construction is designed for a range of construction related occupations including duty holder roles such as Building Safety Manager and project managers working on higher risk buildings. This qualification comprises two units and is designed to develop the learner’s knowledge and skills to understand and manage the fire safety of buildings effectively and efficiently. More details can be found here.
  • Diploma in Building Safety Management - Our Diploma in Building Safety Management is designed for construction professionals moving into this key duty holder role. The qualification develops the learner’s knowledge and skills to manage the safety of the building in occupation. This qualification comprises six units. More details can be found here.
  • Building Control Qualifications - Within this suite of Building Control Qualifications are four qualifications which are designed to develop learners’ knowledge and skills. These include a Level 6 Certificate in Fire Safety for Building Control - Complex Buildings, CIOB Certificate in Managing Legislative Compliance in Building Control, CIOB Certificate in Managing Public Service Building Control and CIOB Certificate in Building Control for Safety at Sports Grounds and other Public Events. Detail on all of these courses can be found here

Built Environment – Framework for the competence of Site Supervisors in England

Following Grenfell, the Construction Industry Council set up an Industry Response group to aid Dame Judith Hackitt in her work. A subgroup, the Competence Steering Group, was formed to examine the important issue of competence, which was responsible for developing competence frameworks for key professionals. Site Supervision was identified as an important work stream and we have taken the lead on this work. This framework sets out baseline requirements for non-Higher Risk Residential Buildings and further competencies for Higher Risk Residential Buildings in recognition that the Building Safety Act covers all buildings that are subject to Building Regulations. 

Insurance Broker Pledge - Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

In November 2023, the government published guidance on five agreed insurance brokers who will be changing their practices to assist leaseholders in buildings over 11 meters and/or four stories affected by fire safety issues. 

The pledge, drafted with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Competition Markets Authority (CMA) and insurance brokers, will look to reduce costs for leaseholders who are currently facing high premiums for buildings that have been remediated or need remediation. 

In essence the pledge contains three key points: 

 

1. "Insurance brokers should not share any of the insurance commission they receive from insurers with those parties who place and/or arrange insurance - usually property managing agents, landlords and freeholders. These parties may place and/or arrange buildings insurance on behalf of leaseholders living in buildings that have identified fire safety risks and need remediation or have been remediated."

 

2. "Insurance brokers will limit any commission they receive from insurers for buildings that are suffering with fire risk/remediation issues to 15% of the overall premium. Insurance brokers will make insurers aware they will only take a maximum of 15% for work on those multi-occupancy buildings which are affected. This 15% can include a work transfer fee if there is brokerage work undertaken by another party." 

 

3. "Insurance brokers will provide building insurance information to leaseholders if requested". 

 

The full pledge can be viewed here.