BSR Launches Campaign for High-Rise Residents

THE NEW Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is asking all those living in high-rise buildings in England to be aware of how new Building Safety laws affect them.

The new laws aim to help people living in tall residential buildings (HRBs) to take part in safety decisions that affect them. They also set out a process for reporting safety concerns to help uphold residents’ rights.

The Building Safety Act provides a safety framework for high rise buildings of 18 meters or seven or more floors in height containing at least two residential units. They are defined as ‘higher-risk’ under the Act. Residents of these buildings are being urged to find out more about how the new law affects them.

Campaign for High-Rise Residents

Every high-rise building is now required to have a Principal Accountable Person (PAP), for managing the building’s safety who can be held to account for fulfilling their legal obligations.

BSR says that Residents’ rights include:

• Assurance that safety risks in their building are being effectively addressed
• Access to ongoing information on what is being done to improve safety in their building
• Empowerment to voice safety concerns, with assurance that their concern will be taken seriously
• Clear, accessible, and easy to understand information regarding safety matters

The legislation provides protocols for how residents can report safety concerns or complaints to the PAP for their building.

Ensuring Safety

Operating within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the BSR is part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell fire tragedy. Part of the BSR’s role is to ensure the safety of high-rise residential buildings.

Philip White

Philip White, Director of Building Safety at HSE, said: “Residents are at the heart of our regulatory efforts. It’s vital for us to amplify their voices and to recognise the role they play in the safety of their buildings. Safety standards in high rise buildings must be assessed and managed by the Principal Accountable Person (PAP). The regulator will review how the building is managed and whether the PAP has complied with their duties.

“Our residents’ panel members represent the diverse resident community in high-rise buildings. They provide valuable insights based on their real-life experiences of living in a high-rise building. This engagement contributes significantly to our regulatory programme for HRBs.

“The residents’ panel welcomes the new measures empowering high-rise residents. They are encouraged by the assurance that residents can speak up with confidence, knowing that their voices will not only be heard but also that their concerns will be considered fully.”

Marlene Price BEM, a member of the BSR Residents Panel, says: “Everyone should feel safe in their home, including the millions of people who live in high-rise buildings. The Building Safety Regulator is working to make this ambition a reality.”

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