How Matter embraces the Building Safety Act as structural engineers driven by social responsibility
Considered a milestone in building safety regulation, the Building Safety Act became law in April 2022 in response to the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. At Matter, as structural engineers driven by social responsibility, we see the application of the Building Safety Act as an opportunity to embed social responsibility in the design, planning and construction of buildings, for everyone’s benefit.
The Building Safety Act is a positive change that impacts us all
As a company driven by social responsibility, Matter welcomes the regulations introduced as a result of the Building Safety Act. We see these developments as positive change for our industry, paving the way for greater safety for the general public and greater accountability for all those working in construction.
It’s vital that we take building safety seriously, for all of our safety and wellbeing. We share the view of the Institution of Structural Engineers that the Building Safety Act benefits both professionals and public:
“The legislation is designed to provide greater safety, quality, transparency of the building process and accountability of the professionals involved. Furthermore, the Act aims to provide key stakeholders, such as residents, with reassurance and confidence that the buildings that they are utilising are safe.”
The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
Your principal designer is key to ensuring your building’s safety
As a result of the Building Safety Act, according to new building regulations, every construction project is now required to name a principal designer. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires that the principal designer is stated on the building control approval application that has to be submitted before any construction work over 30 days long can be started.
We consider it essential that a building’s principal designer understands how to prioritise safety at each stage of the process. Every person involved in a building’s construction has a responsibility to make sure the building is safe, from the conception of the building project right through to its execution. A well-qualified principal designer will know this, incorporating safety considerations from the very earliest stages of design and planning. The principal designer also passes on the risk register to the principal contractor, so all potential risks are managed during construction.
We work to prioritise safety from the design stage of your project
Your principal designer has a responsibility to prioritise safety and to minimise risks at the design stage of the project, rather than leaving safety risks to be dealt with at the construction stage. They need to have a thorough understanding of safety regulations, be expert in identifying potential risks, make sure risks are managed effectively and be skilled at communicating all requirements clearly. As structural engineers, we work closely with the principal designer to ensure all structural related risks are captured at each stage of the project.
As the Building Safety Act can be amended and changes brought into force in future, it’s vital that your principal designer has a thorough working knowledge of the current requirements. As structural engineers, we take responsibility for meeting and upholding current industry standards on quality, health and safety, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
We apply the Building Safety Act to each stage of the design process
At Matter, we follow the IStructE Structural Plan of Work, developed alongside the well-established RIBA Plan of Work and its seven stages, and we believe the Building Safety Act can and should be applied at each stage:
Working closely with the principal designer, we capture all structural related risks at each of these stages. The principal of safety is built into our thinking all the way through the design process, from the feasibility and concept stages right through to the building’s use. At every stage of the building process, we ask how we can satisfy the Building Safety Act, and we communicate that to our clients.
Social responsibility drives us to support people and communities
For Matter, as a company driven by social responsibility, meeting safety standards is not only about complying with regulations – it’s about taking into consideration the wellbeing of everyone involved in a building’s design, construction and use.
Our human-centred approach means we design buildings that offer social value and have a positive impact on local communities, as well as meeting rigorous safety standards. We appreciate that construction is a complex process and, viewing buildings in the context of people and planet, we work to minimise risks as far as possible in terms of environmental impact, as well as the wellbeing of on-site contractors and local residents.
Close collaboration is essential to successful building projects
In our experience, strong partnerships are just as crucial for ensuring a project’s success as robust processes, offering the best outcome for clients and communities. We forge strong working relationships, investing time in understanding our client’s vision and influencing all parties to make the right decisions for the best outcome.
If you’d like to talk with Matter about how the Building Safety Act may impact your construction project, we’d be happy to hear from you get in touch with us.