In the ever-evolving landscape of facilities management (FM), keeping up with regulatory changes can feel like a challenge. Facilities managers are entrusted with ensuring the safety, functionality, and efficiency of the buildings under their care, which raises the question: Do FM managers truly understand their responsibilities following recent changes under the Building Safety Act (BSA)?
With the BSA introducing new regulations and obligations to keep building and their occupants safe, FM managers must reassess their roles and understand what is expected of them when maintaining building safety. Here we dive into what these new responsibilities entail.
What is the Building Safety Act, and why does it matter?
The BSA represents one of the most significant overhauls of building regulations in the UK in recent decades. Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower over seven years ago, the BSA was introduced to improve the safety of all buildings, especially to protect those who occupy them and prevent such an event from happening again.
Compliance with regulations
Whilst the aim of the BSA is to improve safety for occupants, from the initial design of a building to construction, strict compliance with the building regulations is a must.
Any design, refurbishment, or maintenance work on a building must follow these regulations to maintain compliance with the BSA. As a facilities manager, if repair and maintenance work is commissioned that is covered by the building regulations, you now take on new duties as a client and are subject to new requirements, with additional ones if the work relates to a building over 18metres (a High-Risk Building, or HRB).
As a deterrent, and to ensure regulations are upheld and therefore buildings are kept safe, failure to comply will result in penalties, such as hefty fines or imprisonment.
Working on High Risk Buildings (HRBs)
Under the BSA, specific regulations apply to HRBs. An HRB is any occupied building that is at least 18 metres in height or has at least seven storeys and contains at least two residential units. FM Managers should be aware of the new dutyholder roles under these regulations. All dutyholders must cooperate with each other and plan, manage, and monitor their work so that it complies with all relevant requirements.
Additional procedures that must be followed include providing detailed information that contributes to the ‘golden thread’ – data around the construction or refurbishment of a building – and compiling Safety Case Reports, which demonstrate how building safety risks are being identified, mitigated and managed.
The role of FM in adherence to regulations
The BSA introduces new safety obligations and responsibilities that apply throughout a building’s lifecycle, and FM teams have a key part to play in implementing these requirements.
For example, our building and technical services team of experts carry out ongoing maintenance and inspection of all building systems and components that directly affect safety. The services fall under the new responsibilities and regulations and must be compliant.
Our Building and Technical services at the Tudor Group include:
- Electrical services
- Mechanical services
- Fabric maintenance
- Compliance services
- Projects, including new builds, refurbishments, extensions and interior fit-outs
To ensure all work carried out meets the necessary requirements, we invest in regular training and professional development to stay updated on the latest regulations, standards, and best practices in building safety.
Our teams will work closely with managers to ensure all relevant detailed information, including maintenance logs, inspections, and scheduling, is up to date through our compliance management software, My Compliance, and job management software, Big Change.
Work with a reliable FM partner
Choosing a reliable FM partner to carry out maintenance work can give you peace of mind that all regulations are being adhered to, amongst other benefits. Our approach maximises system uptime and reduces operating costs, resulting in compliant and safe buildings that protect your building users and your assets.
Fabien Caqueret, Managing Director at the Tudor Group, comments:
“The new regulations are there to protect occupants and avoid disasters occurring. At the Tudor Group, we take safety very seriously and are committed to supporting these new regulatory changes by investing in regular training and professional development for our team, ensuring that all our maintenance work meets the latest regulations, standards, and best practices in building safety.”
If you would like to know more about our building and technical services, please get in touch on 0161 789 3550 or email sales@tudorcc.com
