Higher-risk buildings (HRBs) face additional duties under the Building Safety Act 2022 beyond standard construction projects. This guide summarises the extra obligations that apply once a building meets the HRB definition in England.
What counts as an HRB
An HRB is typically a building at least 18 metres in height or with at least seven storeys, containing at least two residential units. The precise definition is in the Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023 — confirm status for each project.
Gateway regime
HRBs must pass through BSR gateways at planning, pre-construction, and completion. Building work must not proceed past Gateway 2 without BSR approval. Completion and occupation require Gateway 3 evidence and safety case material.
- Gateway 1: fire statement and BSR consultation at planning
- Gateway 2: design intent review before construction
- Gateway 3: completion evidence and handover to occupation duties
Occupied-phase duty holders
In occupation, the Accountable Person and Principal Accountable Person must manage building safety risk, maintain the safety case, and engage with residents. Mandatory occurrence reporting to the BSR applies to structural and fire safety issues.
- Safety case development and maintenance
- Building Assessment Certificate application
- Resident engagement strategy and complaints handling
- Mandatory occurrence reporting and record-keeping
Golden thread through the lifecycle
HRB golden thread requirements span design, construction, and occupation. Information must remain accurate and accessible to duty holders — not archived at handover. The BSR can request evidence that supports gateway decisions and ongoing safety case assertions.
How non-HRB projects differ
Non-HRB projects do not follow the three-gateway BSR regime, but duty holders still have Building Safety Act obligations and should maintain good information practice. Threadsovereign supports both HRB and non-HRB workflows on all subscription tiers.
Conclusion
HRB obligations extend well beyond design and build. Teams that plan for occupation — safety case, resident engagement, and occurrence reporting — from Gateway 2 onwards avoid the costliest compliance gaps.
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Threadsovereign Team
Building Safety Experts
The Threadsovereign editorial team consists of building safety professionals, compliance specialists, and industry experts with deep experience in the Building Safety Act 2022 and UK construction regulations.
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