Building safety risk

The Building Safety Act 2022 defines building safety risk as:

...a risk to the safety of people in or about a building arising from any of the following occurring as regards the building—

• (a) the spread of fire;
• (b) structural failure;
• (c) any other prescribed matter.

In the context of the Building Safety Act, building safety risk refers to the potential hazards and threats posed by a residential building to the safety and well-being of its occupants, visitors, and surrounding communities. These risks can arise from various factors, including design flaws, construction defects, inadequate maintenance, and the presence of combustible materials. The Building Safety Act focusses particularly on higher-risk buildings, such as those over 18 meters in height or with specific risk factors identified through risk assessments.

Building safety risks encompass a range of concerns, including fire safety, structural integrity, and the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos. Identifying and managing these risks effectively is crucial to ensuring the safety of occupants and preventing incidents such as fires, structural failures, or health hazards. The Act mandates building owners, managers, and developers to assess and mitigate building safety risks through comprehensive risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, and implementation of appropriate safety measures and management strategies.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings.

• Building Safety Act.
• Grenfell Tower Fire.
• Hackitt review.
• Fire.
• Risk.
• Types of risk in construction projects.