750 high-rise applications with Building Safety Regulator

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) says around 750 applications have been started since it launched its building online register in April.

Under the Building Safety Act 2022, all high-rise residential buildings in England must be registered with the BSR. Buildings falling under the scope of the register are those at least 18 metres in height or which have seven or more floors containing at least two residential units.

The BSR is an independent body established by the Building Safety Bill. It sits within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and reports to the secretary of state. BSR is responsible for ensuring that the estimated 12,500 existing higher-risk buildings in England are included in the register. 

HSE's Director of Building Safety, Philip White said: "We're pleased with the early response from industry. But I urge owners and managers to act now and register their buildings if they haven't already done so. This is a legal requirement they will have to meet by the end of September.

"Registration is a crucial part of the new regime and our efforts to ensure residents of high-rise buildings feel protected and safe in their homes."

The deadline for completing the registration is 30 September 2023. Owners of existing higher-risk buildings who fail to register on time will commit a criminal offence, punishable with a fine or imprisonment.

This article first appeared on Construction Manager