The Building Safety Regulator has held its first inaugural conference to support the industry in preparing for new building safety regulations in England
Over 900 practitioners attended the event at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. Guests included architects, landlords and building control professionals – eager to improve their understanding of what the Building Safety Regulator will expect from them over the next 18 months.
It was the largest-ever conference held by the regulator, and it provided an opportunity for representatives from across the industry to engage with the regime’s leaders.
The conference provided expert legal advice on the Building Safety Act
The Building Safety Act will lay the foundations for improved rights and protection for residents and homeowners. The Act overhauls existing regulations and has been described as ‘the biggest change in safety legislation our industry has seen in a generation’. It will create more accountability in the construction industry, and building owners and managers must improve their traceability to avoid falling short. The act will be fully implemented in October 2023; each building owner must have their building safety regime in place by this time.
The conference included a programme of information, learning and interactive Q&A sessions with senior Building Safety Regulator policy leads and key industry representatives. These representatives provided attendees with valuable insights into the regulatory regime and guidance on the legal duties and requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022. In addition, Dame Judith Hackitt hosted a session on the Industry Safety Steering Group’s third report, in which she discussed culture change in the built environment industry.
The event comes at an important time for building safety, as the registration process for high-rise residential buildings (HRBs) begins in April. Owners and managers of around 12,500 HRBs have until 1 October 2023 to register with the Building Safety Regulator or face investigation and prosecution.
Information about Building Safety Regulator registration was delivered in detail to help duty holders better understand the process. Sessions also included presentations on HRB planning, design and construction gateways, and increasing competency across the industry.
In his keynote speech, minister for building safety Lee Rowley MP said, “We need to ensure that those working in the building industry have the knowledge and confidence to properly engage with this new regime and make it a success.”
The Building Safety Regulator will help keep residents safe
HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Over the past 18 months, we have been talking directly to residents and to resident groups – listening to their concerns, trying to understand what would give them the reassurance they need, and to make sure we take the steps needed to get this right. People must be safe in their own homes – and they must feel safe too.
“You all have a really important part to play in ensuring that we can set up this new regime successfully and that HSE can continue, through the Building Safety Regulator, to protect people and places.”
Chief inspector of buildings Peter Baker concluded: “The regulatory reforms that will start from April will ensure that you all lead the behaviour change that is needed and do what is required to protect residents. They also introduce a new regulator ‘with teeth’ to hold to account those who chose not to learn the lessons and improve.”
