Definition
Building Safety Act 2022
The Building Safety Act 2022 is major UK legislation establishing a new regulatory framework for the design, construction, and occupation of higher-risk buildings — defined as residential buildings of 18 metres or more, or at least 7 storeys. It created the Building Safety Regulator, introduced the Principal Accountable Person role, and significantly strengthened legal obligations around fire and structural safety in high-rise residential buildings.
Terms mentioned in this definition
Why Was the Building Safety Act 2022 Created?
The Building Safety Act 2022 is the most significant piece of building and fire safety legislation in a generation. It was introduced in direct response to the Grenfell Tower fire of June 2017, which claimed 72 lives and exposed fundamental failures in the design, construction, management, and oversight of high-rise residential buildings in the UK. The Act implements many of the recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt's Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (2018), creating an end-to-end regulatory framework for the safety of higher-risk buildings from design and construction through to ongoing occupation.
What Does the Act Create?
- The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) — an independent body within the Health and Safety Executive, responsible for overseeing the safety and standards of all buildings and directly regulating higher-risk buildings throughout their lifecycle
- A new regulatory gateway system for higher-risk buildings — three "gateway points" at which approval must be obtained before design, construction, and occupation can proceed
- The Principal Accountable Person (PAP) — the dutyholder ultimately responsible for the fire and structural safety of the common parts of a higher-risk building during its occupation
- The Accountable Person (AP) — any person with a legal obligation to maintain any part of a higher-risk building, who must cooperate with the PAP
- A Building Safety Register — a public register of all higher-risk buildings, which must be registered before occupation can legally continue
- Extended limitation periods — giving residents far longer to bring legal claims against developers, contractors, and manufacturers for building safety defects
What Is a Higher-Risk Building?
For the purposes of the Building Safety Act, a higher-risk building (HRB) is a building in England that is 18 metres or more in height, or has 7 or more storeys, and contains at least two residential units. Buildings used as hospitals or care homes are treated separately. The 18-metre threshold aligns broadly with a building of 6 storeys, above which simultaneous evacuation of all floors may not be safely achievable without dedicated infrastructure.
Duties on Accountable Persons
Accountable Persons must assess the fire and structural safety risks of the parts of the building for which they are responsible, take reasonable steps to manage those risks, and prepare and maintain a safety case report — a structured document demonstrating how they are identifying and managing building safety risks. For the Principal Accountable Person, this includes establishing a residents' engagement strategy and a complaints process for building safety matters.
Relevant UK Standards & Legislation
- Building Safety Act 2022Primary legislation — creates the regulatory framework for higher-risk buildings
- Fire Safety Act 2021Companion legislation — extends fire safety duties to external walls and flat entrance doors
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022Secondary legislation under the Fire Safety Act 2021 — imposes specific duties for multi-occupied residential buildings
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Remains the primary fire safety legislation for the occupation phase of all buildings
Related Terms
- Higher-Risk BuildingsFire Regulations & StandardsHigher-risk buildings (HRBs) are multi-occupied residential buildings that are 18 metres or more in height, or have at least 7 storeys, as defined by the Building Safety Act 2022. They are subject to the most stringent fire and building safety requirements in England, including registration with the Building Safety Regulator, appointment of a Principal Accountable Person, and compliance with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.View definition
- Fire Safety Act 2021Fire Regulations & StandardsThe Fire Safety Act 2021 amended the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to explicitly bring the structure, external walls (including cladding and balconies), and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings within scope of fire safety law. The Act was introduced in direct response to findings from the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry and came into force in England and Wales in August 2021.View definition
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Fire Regulations & StandardsThe Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) is the primary fire safety legislation in England and Wales, applying to all non-domestic premises. It places a legal duty on the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment, implement appropriate fire safety measures, and maintain them effectively. Non-compliance can result in unlimited fines or imprisonment of up to two years.View definition
- Responsible Person (Fire Safety)Fire Regulations & StandardsThe responsible person is the individual or organisation with control of a non-domestic premises who, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire, protect occupants, and maintain fire safety measures — including carrying out or commissioning a suitable fire risk assessment.View definition
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022Fire Regulations & StandardsThe Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are secondary legislation under the Fire Safety Act 2021, introducing additional fire safety duties for responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings in England from January 2023. Requirements include quarterly inspections of communal fire doors, provision of fire safety instructions to residents, and — for buildings above 18 metres — installation of an evacuation alert system and a building information box for the fire service.View definition
Frequently Asked Questions
The Building Safety Act 2022 is major UK legislation establishing a new regulatory framework for the design, construction, and occupation of higher-risk buildings — defined as residential buildings of 18 metres or more, or at least 7 storeys. It created the Building Safety Regulator, introduced the Principal Accountable Person role, and significantly strengthened legal obligations around fire and structural safety in high-rise residential buildings.
Requirements for building safety act 2022 in the UK depend on the type of premises and applicable legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and relevant British Standards. The responsible person for a premises must ensure adequate fire safety provisions are in place. The British Fire Consortium can provide guidance — contact our team or search our member directory to find a qualified specialist.
Building Safety Act 2022 and Higher-Risk Buildings are related fire safety concepts but serve different purposes. See our individual glossary entries for detailed definitions. For expert guidance on which applies to your premises, consult a BFC member company.
The British Fire Consortium offers EAL Level 3 accredited training covering fire safety systems including topics related to building safety act 2022. Our courses are the only nationally recognised Level 3 qualifications across all fire disciplines. View our training courses or use the member directory to find a qualified trainer near you.