Building Safety Act Glossary

A person or organisation with a legal obligation for the safety of a higher-risk building. There can be more than one Accountable Person per building -- each is responsible for their part of the building.

The statutory guidance document covering fire safety requirements in Building Regulations, including means of escape, fire spread, and access for fire services.

A certificate issued by the Building Safety Regulator confirming that a higher-risk building has been assessed and meets required safety standards. Required for all registered HRBs.

A structured argument, supported by evidence, that demonstrates building safety risks are being identified, assessed, and managed effectively. Must be kept up to date throughout the building's lifecycle.

A person appointed by an Accountable Person to manage the day-to-day safety of a higher-risk building. Not a statutory role under the BSA, but widely used in practice to support compliance.

The regulator responsible for overseeing the safety of higher-risk buildings, including registration, compliance, and enforcement. Originally established within HSE, the BSR became an independent body on 27 January 2026.

Legal standards that set minimum requirements for the design and construction of buildings in England. The Building Safety Act reformed how these are enforced for higher-risk buildings.

A court order under the BSA that can make an associated company liable for building safety defects, preventing developers from avoiding responsibility through corporate structures.

The primary legislation reforming building safety in England, enacted in response to the Grenfell Tower fire. Establishes the Building Safety Regulator, creates the higher-risk building regime, introduces the Golden Thread, and strengthens accountability for building safety across the entire lifecycle.

An organisation responsible for checking that building work complies with Building Regulations. For higher-risk buildings, the Building Safety Regulator is the sole building control body. For other buildings, either a local authority or registered building inspector may act.

A scheme established under the Building Safety Act requiring major developers to commit to remediating life-critical fire safety defects in buildings they developed. Developers who do not join may face restrictions on building control approval.

The external covering or skin of a building. Unsafe cladding systems, particularly those using combustible materials like ACM, were a key factor in the Grenfell Tower fire.

A form of property ownership where flat owners collectively own and manage the common parts of a building through a commonhold association, without a separate freeholder.

The division of a building into fire-resistant compartments to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Each flat and common area should form a separate compartment.

The skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours needed to carry out building safety duties effectively. The BSA requires that duty holders and those they appoint are competent for their roles.

A formal notice issued by the Building Safety Regulator requiring an Accountable Person to take specific actions to address building safety failings. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.

A certificate issued when building work is completed satisfactorily. For higher-risk buildings, the Building Safety Regulator issues this after Gateway 3 assessment confirms the building was constructed in accordance with approved plans.

A person with legal responsibilities for building safety during the design and construction phase, including the client, principal designer, and principal contractor.

The External Wall System Fire Review form used to assess the fire risk of external wall systems on residential buildings. Often required by mortgage lenders for buildings over 11 metres.

A system for alerting residents of higher-risk buildings to evacuate in an emergency. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require Responsible Persons to install evacuation alert systems in higher-risk buildings with a simultaneous evacuation or phased evacuation strategy.

A systematic evaluation of fire hazards in a building, identifying risks and the measures needed to reduce them. Required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and enhanced by the BSA for higher-risk buildings.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places fire safety duties on the Responsible Person for all non-domestic premises including the common parts of residential buildings.

A door designed to resist the passage of fire and smoke for a specified period. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced quarterly checks on flat entrance doors and annual checks on common area fire doors in higher-risk buildings.

Legislation that clarified the scope of the Fire Safety Order to include the structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings. Paved the way for the broader reforms in the Building Safety Act 2022.

Three regulatory checkpoints during the design and construction of higher-risk buildings: Gateway 1 (planning), Gateway 2 (before construction), and Gateway 3 (before occupation). Each requires BSR approval.

The first regulatory checkpoint at the planning application stage. The BSR is consulted on fire safety matters before planning permission is granted for higher-risk buildings.

The second regulatory checkpoint before construction begins. The BSR must approve detailed plans for the building's design, fire safety strategy, and construction control plan.

The third regulatory checkpoint before a new higher-risk building can be occupied. The BSR must be satisfied that the building has been constructed in accordance with approved plans.

The concept that accurate, up-to-date building safety information must be created, maintained, and made accessible throughout a building's lifecycle -- from design and construction to occupation and refurbishment.

A building in England that is at least 18 metres tall or has at least 7 storeys, and contains at least 2 residential units. These buildings are subject to the full BSA regulatory regime.

The Health and Safety Executive, the UK's national regulator for workplace health and safety. The Building Safety Regulator was originally established within the HSE but became an independent body in January 2026.

The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt, published in 2018. Its recommendations formed the basis of the Building Safety Act, including the Golden Thread, gateway points, and a new regulatory framework for higher-risk buildings.

Essential information about a higher-risk building that the Principal Accountable Person must hold, maintain, and share with the BSR. Includes structural details, fire safety systems, and risk assessments.

A person who holds a lease on a flat or dwelling within a building. Leaseholders have rights under the BSA to information about building safety and to be consulted on safety matters.

Provisions in the Building Safety Act that limit the costs leaseholders can be charged for historical building safety defects, particularly cladding remediation.

The duty on Accountable Persons to report structural and fire safety incidents in higher-risk buildings to the BSR. Reports must be made promptly when a safety occurrence is identified.

The routes and facilities provided to ensure all building occupants can safely leave a building in an emergency. Includes corridors, stairways, fire doors, and emergency lighting.

Significant building work on an existing higher-risk building that triggers the BSA regulatory regime, including gateway points and dutyholder requirements. Includes work affecting the structure, fire safety systems, or means of escape.

A certificate that must be obtained from the Building Safety Regulator before a new higher-risk building can be occupied, confirming it meets all required safety standards.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans -- individualised plans for residents of higher-risk buildings who may need assistance to evacuate safely in an emergency. Becomes a legal requirement from April 2026.

The Accountable Person responsible for the overall building safety of a higher-risk building, including registering the building with the BSR and ensuring all Accountable Persons comply with their duties.

The contractor with overall responsibility for the construction phase of a higher-risk building project. Must comply with dutyholder requirements under the BSA.

The designer with overall responsibility for the design phase of a higher-risk building project, ensuring the design meets building safety requirements and producing required documentation.

A document setting out how the Accountable Person will promote participation of residents in building safety decisions, keep them informed, and respond to safety concerns.

A group of residents formed to represent the interests of all residents in a higher-risk building on building safety matters. Accountable Persons must consult panels on safety-related decisions.

Under the Fire Safety Order, the person who has control of premises and is responsible for fire safety in the common parts. Often overlaps with the Accountable Person for higher-risk buildings.

A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and severity of harm, and determining appropriate control measures. Central to the safety case approach required by the BSA.

The process of removing and replacing unsafe building materials, particularly combustible cladding, to bring a building up to required safety standards.

A private sector building control professional registered with the Building Safety Regulator. Replaces the previous Approved Inspector role. Cannot act as building control for higher-risk buildings, which are reserved to the BSR.

A court order requiring a landlord or developer to remedy building safety defects in a relevant building. Can be applied for by interested persons including the BSR, local authorities, and fire and rescue authorities.

A court order requiring an associate of a landlord (such as a parent company or developer) to contribute to the costs of remedying building safety defects. Prevents cost avoidance through corporate structures.

A report that the BSR may request from a Principal Accountable Person, setting out how building safety risks are being managed. Must demonstrate a structured approach to risk assessment and mitigation.

The statutory process under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requiring landlords to consult leaseholders before carrying out qualifying works or entering long-term agreements above set thresholds.

A charge payable by leaseholders towards the costs of services, repairs, maintenance, and insurance of the building. Building safety compliance costs may be recovered through service charges.

An evacuation strategy where all building occupants leave at the same time when the alarm sounds. Contrasts with the "stay put" strategy used in many residential blocks.

A fire safety strategy where residents not directly affected by a fire remain in their flats while the fire service tackles the blaze. Relies on effective compartmentation between dwellings.

The ability of a building to withstand loads and forces without collapse or deformation that could endanger occupants. Part of the safety case assessment for higher-risk buildings.

A temporary fire safety measure where trained personnel patrol a building to provide early warning of fire. Often used as an interim measure while cladding remediation works are carried out.