On Wednesday 12 April, the UK government’s Building Safety Regulator opened the registration process for high-rise residential buildings in England. This marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety of residents in high-rise buildings, following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 which claimed 72 lives.
The registration process applies to buildings over 18 metres in height, or over six storeys. Building owners and managers will be required to register their buildings with the Building Safety Regulator, providing key information such as the building’s height, number of occupants, and construction materials. The information provided will enable the regulator to assess the risks associated with each building and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.
The registration process is a key part of the government’s wider Building Safety Programme, which aims to ensure that high-rise residential buildings in England are safe for their residents. The programme includes a range of measures such as improved building regulations, the establishment of a new building safety regulator, and the introduction of new safety standards for construction products.
One of the key challenges facing the Building Safety Regulator is the need to address the legacy of unsafe buildings which were constructed prior to the introduction of new safety regulations. Many of these buildings are still occupied by residents, who are understandably concerned about their safety. The regulator has been working with building owners and local authorities to identify and address these risks, and the registration process will help to ensure that these efforts are focused on the highest-risk buildings.
In addition to the registration process, the Building Safety Regulator has also published new guidance for building owners and managers. The guidance sets out the steps that should be taken to ensure the safety of residents, including the need for regular safety inspections, the importance of having a robust fire safety strategy in place, and the need to engage with residents to ensure that they are aware of safety measures and procedures.
The opening of the registration process has been welcomed by campaigners for building safety. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that high-rise residential buildings in England are safe for their residents. The government has committed to implementing all of the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which include a range of measures such as improved building regulations, better fire safety standards, and greater accountability for building owners and managers.
The Building Safety Regulator has an important role to play in ensuring that these recommendations are implemented effectively. By working closely with building owners and local authorities, and by engaging with residents, the regulator can help to ensure that high-rise residential buildings in England are safe and secure places for people to live.
