Happy New Year from all of us at Building Passport! As we kick off 2025, we’re diving straight into the issues that matter most - starting with the newly released Building Assessment Criteria (BAC) from the Building Safety Regulator.
If you’re responsible for a higher-risk building, this document is more than just a helpful read. So, let’s break it down and talk about what it means for you in practice.
1. Safety Case Report: Your First Big Task
Your safety case report is the cornerstone of your application for a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC). It’s your way of proving you’ve identified every potential risk in your building and have solid plans in place to manage them.
So, what documents will you actually need?
Basic building details: Think floor plans, height, number of storeys, and the number of residential units.
Fire safety documentation: Fire risk assessments, fire strategy reports, evacuation plans, and maintenance logs for systems like alarms and sprinklers.
Structural evidence: Structural surveys, design certifications, and maintenance records for key building elements.
Risk assessments: A documented approach to identifying and addressing safety risks like cladding issues or faulty fire doors.
What this means for you: If your documents are scattered across filing cabinets or lost in a sea of shared drives, now’s the time to get them organised. A digital platform like Building Passport can help centralise everything, making it easier to pull together the evidence you need.
2. Specialist Assessments: Get the Experts Involved Early
Your application isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about proving your building is safe. To do that, the regulator’s team will bring in fire and structural safety specialists to assess your evidence.
Here’s what they’ll focus on:
Fire assessors will look at prevention, detection, and evacuation systems.
Structural assessors will scrutinise your building’s design, materials, and maintenance.
The regulatory lead will evaluate the overall safety case, resident engagement, and incident reporting.
What this means for you: Proactively engage your own specialists to review your evidence before submission. They can spot gaps or weaknesses early, giving you time to fix them before the regulator’s team gets involved.
3. Resident Engagement
The BAC puts a big emphasis on keeping residents informed and involved.
What you’ll need to show:
That you’re communicating safety information regularly and clearly.
That residents have a way to raise concerns—and you have a process for responding to them.
Evidence of any actions you’ve taken as a result of resident feedback.
What this means for you: Treat resident engagement as an ongoing process. Regular updates, Q&A sessions, and a clear feedback mechanism will not only meet the criteria but also build trust with your residents.
4. Incident Reporting
The BAC document mandates a robust system for capturing and managing safety incidents or near-misses. This will be closely scrutinised by the regulator.
What you need to do:
Set up a reporting system that logs incidents, tracks resolutions, and keeps clear records.
Make sure everyone—from staff to residents—knows how to report a problem.
What this means for you:If your current system involves handwritten notes or fragmented emails, it’s time to upgrade. A digital tool can automate the process and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
5. The Big Picture: No Cutting Corners
The BAC criteria are about setting a consistent, high standard across the sector. Every detail matters, and your application needs to meet these expectations to the letter.
What this means for you:Take the time to audit your current processes. If they don’t align with the BAC’s requirements, act now. Waiting until an issue arises could cost you in compliance delays—or worse.
New Year, New Focus
The BAC document gives property professionals some more of the clarity they’ve been waiting for. It lays out the path to compliance, but now it’s on you to take the steps needed to get there.
At Building Passport, we know this can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Our platform is designed to centralise and streamline your building’s information, making compliance less stressful and more achievable.
Start the year off right. Contact us today to see how we can help you navigate compliance in 2025 and beyond!
Reference
For more detailed information, you can view the original Building Assessment Criteria document published by the Building Safety Regulator here: Building Assessment Criteria PDF
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