Quality Resource

Building Safety Act 2022 Advice & Guidance

The Building Safety Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022, making ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights, powers, and protections – so homes across the country are safer.

Last updated: 17th July 2024

Important Update Deadline Approaching - Building Control Competence Assessment Deadline 

Do I need to register under the new scheme?:

You only need to register if you are responsible for signing off buildings as compliant with the building regulations. To check this, you can contact the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) customer service department here: [email protected].

Background & Key Dates:

The Building Safety Act 2022 imposed a vast array of changes relating to building safety.

One of the most significant changes has been for building control professionals to be assessed, certified and registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to become registered building control approvers (RBCAs) which replaces privately approved inspectors. Furthermore, individuals and organisations who are registered with the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR) must register with the BSR to continue their building control role.

In England, the original date for this registration was 6 April 2024, however, the BSR has recently extended the deadline for registration of building control inspectors until 6 July 2024.

In Wales, the original date for registration was also 6 April 2024, however, the Welsh Government have also recently extended the deadline for registration to 1 October 2024.

Before you register as a building inspector:

If you want to apply to register as a class 2, 3 or 4 building inspector, you will need to complete an independent competency assessment. If you apply to register without being assessed, you will be registered as a class 1 building inspector and can only work under supervision.

Competency assessments for registration are only valid from approved schemes. You can get a competency assessment by contacting one of the providers of the approved schemes:

The assessment evaluates your skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours against the relevant building inspector competence framework:

We note that while CIOB has not currently entered an application to be recognised as an assessment body. We have focussed our efforts on supporting the BSCF which was set up by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) as a community interest company.

As part of the assessment, you will need to submit a portfolio of your work and pass an exam or an interview. You must be re-assessed at least every 4 years.

After you complete your assessment, you will receive a certificate number. You will need to provide the number when you register as proof of your assessment.

You must register with BSR to carry out BSR-regulated activities (for example, assessing plans and inspecting). This includes for all buildings from domestic premises to complex, high-risk, multi-use structures.

There will be a public register (one for England and one for Wales) of approved professionals which will include your name, your employer, and details of BSR-regulated activities you are registered to do. Registration will be valid for 4 year, unless varied, suspended or cancelled by the BSR.

Further guidance on the assessment process, the registration classes and the registration process in England and Wales can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-building-inspector.

 



 

Competency assessment extension period:

From 6 April to 6 July 2024 experienced building inspectors in England can complete their competency assessment and upgrade their registration.

If you are a trainee registering for class 1, you can continue to work in class 1 under supervision.

If you are eligible, the scope of your registration will be temporarily extended to the class of RBI for which you are undertaking a competency assessment.

Extension period eligibility:

If you have not completed your competency assessment to register as a class 2 or 3 RBI (and 4, if applicable), you can continue to work if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • you are an existing building control professional
  • you are registered as a class 1 RBI by 6 April 2024
  • you are enrolled in, and in the process of having your competency assessed through, one of the BSR approved competency assessment schemes by 6 April 2024
  • a scheme provider has not told you that you have not passed your competency assessment for a second time

If a scheme provider tells you that you have not passed your assessment for a second time before 6 July, you must notify BSR. The temporary extension to the scope of your registration will end and you will only be able to work as a class 1, under supervision.

You must pass your assessment and upgrade your class by 6 July 2024 to continue working on class 2 and 3 projects. If you do not, you cannot continue to work on regulated building control activities.

What does the Building Safety Act 2022 Mean for the Devolved Nations?

CIOB’s policy and public affairs team has compiled information on the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 aspects that relate to the devolved nations and what actions the devolved nations are taking to address building safety. 

Read our comparator document.

Build UK - Building Safety Guide

Build UK has published a guide to the new building safety regime, which has been designed to ensure businesses across the construction sector are aware of their responsibilities. Ahead of the next phase of the regime coming into effect from 1 October, the guide is being regularly updated to reflect the regulations and supporting guidance that are being published, alongside Build UK’s timeline showing when key changes are taking effect to support the implementation of the Building Safety Act.

Access the guide 

Building Safety Act 2022 - Frequently Asked Questions (last updated - 13 November 2023)

Throughout this section of the page you can find a series of frequently asked questions about the Building Safety Act 2022 and aspects of the new safety regime. 

CIOB Building Safety Qualifications

Through the CIOB Academy and our registered partners we provide a variety of qualifications relating to building safety to ensure that the industry is prepared and properly skilled for the new competencies required as part of the Building Safety Act 2022. 

Some of our current qualifications include: 

 

  • Certificate in Fire Safety for Construction - The CIOB Certificate in Fire Safety for Construction is designed for a range of construction related occupations including duty holder roles such as Building Safety Manager and project managers working on higher risk buildings. This qualification comprises two units and is designed to develop the learner’s knowledge and skills to understand and manage the fire safety of buildings effectively and efficiently. More details can be found here.
  • Diploma in Building Safety Management - Our Diploma in Building Safety Management is designed for construction professionals moving into this key duty holder role. The qualification develops the learner’s knowledge and skills to manage the safety of the building in occupation. This qualification comprises six units. More details can be found here.
  • Building Control Qualifications - Within this suite of Building Control Qualifications are four qualifications which are designed to develop learners’ knowledge and skills. These include a Level 6 Certificate in Fire Safety for Building Control - Complex Buildings, CIOB Certificate in Managing Legislative Compliance in Building Control, CIOB Certificate in Managing Public Service Building Control and CIOB Certificate in Building Control for Safety at Sports Grounds and other Public Events. Detail on all of these courses can be found here
  • New - Building Safety Act Awareness eLearning course - In November 2023, the CIOB Academy launched a Building Safety Act Awareness eLearning course. It has been produced by Equans in collaboration with Build UK and its members, including Skanska, Willmott Dixon, RLB, Mace and 3B Training. The 90-minute online course is structured around four key areas, including an introduction to the Building Safety Act 2022, Building Safety Act legislation, roles and scope, and the ‘golden thread’. The course, which is available at the not-for-profit cost of £25 can be accessed on the CIOB academy website Building Safety Act: Awareness (registration required).

 

New  - CIOB Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme (PCCCS)

Demonstrating competency is now a legal requirement for the new dutyholder roles of the Building Safety Act.

This is why in March 2024, CIOB launched the CIOB Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme (PCCCS) to provide a route to proving your competency as a Principal Contractor, as required by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The regulatory transformation introduced with the establishment of the BSR includes the creation of new safety-critical roles, including the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, both with building safety responsibilities.

CIOB’s PCCCS is suitable for individuals performing or appointed to the role of the Principal Contractor, and is open to those currently carrying out the Principal Contractor role under the Building Safety Act 2022. The applicants must also either be current members of CIOB or an alternative qualifying professional body.

Check your eligibility and register here

Built Environment – Framework for the competence of Site Supervisors in England

Following Grenfell, the Construction Industry Council set up an Industry Response group to aid Dame Judith Hackitt in her work. A subgroup, the Competence Steering Group, was formed to examine the important issue of competence, which was responsible for developing competence frameworks for key professionals. Site Supervision was identified as an important work stream and we have taken the lead on this work. This framework sets out baseline requirements for non-Higher Risk Residential Buildings and further competencies for Higher Risk Residential Buildings in recognition that the Building Safety Act covers all buildings that are subject to Building Regulations. 

Insurance Broker Pledge - Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

In November 2023, the government published guidance on five agreed insurance brokers who will be changing their practices to assist leaseholders in buildings over 11 meters and/or four stories affected by fire safety issues. 

The pledge, drafted with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Competition Markets Authority (CMA) and insurance brokers, will look to reduce costs for leaseholders who are currently facing high premiums for buildings that have been remediated or need remediation. 

View the full pledge