By Phil Jones, Managing Director of William Martin
The safety of high-rise residential buildings is a top priority, and compliance with safety standards involves detailed documentation and management of potential risks.
Central to this process is the Building Safety Case Report (BSCR), a document that identifies safety risks in a building and explains how these risks are managed. This guide outlines the essential aspects of the BSCR and the responsibilities of those managing high-rise residential buildings.
The BSCR is crucial when applying for a Building Assessment Certificate from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). It serves as a comprehensive summary of a building’s safety case, highlighting the risks of fire spread or structural failure and the measures in place to manage these risks.
The responsibility for maintaining a BSCR falls on the Accountable Person, which could be a freeholder, landlord, management company, resident management company, right to manage company, or commonhold association. The Accountable Person is specifically responsible for preparing and updating the BSCR to ensure it reflects current safety standards and risks.
To compile a thorough BSCR, the Accountable Person must keep and update various pieces of information in an easily accessible digital format. This includes:
- Basic Building Information: Details such as the building’s height, number of floors, residential units, staircases, construction date, and design codes or standards.
- Shared Facilities: Information about facilities like car parks and a description of the surrounding area, including nearby high-rise buildings, schools, or transport routes.
- Construction Details: Descriptions of the building’s primary load bearing and stability systems, materials used in construction, and fire compartmentation details.
- Resident Profiles: Data on residents who may need assistance during emergencies or those whose first language is not English.
Additionally, newer buildings (those built after 2005) must maintain a Health and Safety File, detailing the construction process and materials used, which must be transferred if ownership changes.
Preparing and updating the BSCR
The BSCR must be prepared as soon as the building is occupied, or the Principal Accountable Person assumes their role. The report should include:
- Details of the Accountable Persons
- Information about who prepared the report
- A description of the building
- A summary of risk assessments
- Details on how risks are managed
- An outline of the safety management system
- Emergency planning information
- Information on ongoing work and building improvements
Regular updates to the BSCR are necessary, particularly after any improvement work or changes that affect building safety. These updates must be communicated to the BSR.
Keeping information updated
It is essential to keep the safety case information up-to-date, particularly when there are changes in building safety risks. Information that must be regularly updated includes:
- Any changes to the building’s height, floors, number of residential units, staircases, and design codes or standards
- Information about shared facilities and the surrounding area
- Any changes to the building’s primary load-bearing system, stability system, or materials used
- Data on resident profiles and their specific needs in emergencies
- Details about utilities and services, including electricity, water, gas, telephone, and internet
- Information on any refurbishments and their impact on building safety
Maintaining a comprehensive and current BSCR is a critical responsibility for those managing high-rise residential buildings. By adhering to these guidelines and ensuring all necessary information is documented and regularly updated, building owners and managers can effectively manage safety risks, comply with regulatory requirements, and protect the well-being of residents.
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