Key Dates Calendar for Building Safety Changes

Building-Safety-Timeline header|Building-Safety-Timeline

A CALENDAR of key dates for changes brought about by the Building Safety Act has been published by Build UK, the construction contractors association.

Upcoming changes taking placing during the next 12 months will include the introduction of secondary legislation, new regulations, and the ‘Gateways’ which require various types of information to be recorded and submitted at different stages of construction and refurbishment.

The changes apply to buildings in England designated ‘high-risk’, which are buildings over 18 metres high, or 7 storeys, which contain at least two residential units or are hospitals or care homes. Residential units are dwellings or any other unit of temporary accommodation.

Gateway 1 – the planning stage. Applicants will need to demonstrate that fire safety is assured.
Gateway 2 – Construction cannot begin until the Regulator has approved the application.
Gateway 3 – at completion of construction occupation will be dependent on the Regulator carrying out final inspections and issuing a Completion Certificate.

The Gateway system has provoked controversy about the potential delays that could be created during the procurement and construction process, which could have huge cost and contract liability implications.