Building Assessment Certificate BAC

A Building Assessment Certificate (BAC), is issued by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) or a designated competent authority, it confirms the thorough assessment of a higher-risk building's safety risks and its compliance with the Building Safety Act and associated regulations. This document serves as proof of the building's safety for occupancy, verifying adherence to fire safety, structural integrity, and other relevant standards. It may also detail identified risks, recommended mitigation measures, and ongoing monitoring requirements. These are essential for building owners or managers, as obtaining this certificate demonstrates regulatory compliance and ensures occupant safety. Failure to acquire or maintain a valid certificate may lead to regulatory action by the BSR, including enforcement notices or penalties, to address deficiencies and mitigate safety risks.

Principal Accountable Persons are directed BSR to apply for a BAC to demonstrate that BSR is satisfied that certain legal duties have been met (at that time of issue). A five-year programme of BAC assessments runs and is allocated by height and number of dwellings with the first year focussing on the highest buildings with the most dwellings, plus all ACM and LPS with gas.

Such applications for a BAC are required to include:

• The latest Safety Case Report: Sets out how risks are being managed including spread of fire and structural failure (building safety risks). It summarises the available information about a building, the arrangements in place to manage building safety risks, demonstrating that all reasonable steps have been taken to prevent and reducing the effects of building safety risks, and provide assurance to those responsible and the occupants.
• The Residents’ Engagement Strategy (RES) should be about consulting or involving residents rather than aspirational. These need to include the information to be provided to residents: What will they be asked about?How opinions will be collected and used. How participation will be measured and reviewed.
• The Mandatory Occurrence System (MOS). Principal accountable persons (PAPs) must establish and operate a single MOR system for the high-rise residential building they are responsible for with regular reviews to maintain effectivity. Note that the above are requirement for the buildings so should be in place well before any application for a BAC, they should actually demonstrate compliance rather than make declarations as such.
• A statement needs to be provided that confirms the Accountable Persons have provided information to certain bodies (e.g. BSR, FRS, other Accountable Persons etc.)

For further information see 'Guidance: Preparing a building assessment certificate application' published by BSR / HSE.

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