Case Studies
Safety Case Submissions
In the UK, approximately 2,000 higher-risk buildings are constructed each year, adding to an existing stock of around 12,500 such buildings. Under the Building Safety Act 2022, each of these buildings will require formal assessment between 2024 and 2029. Of the existing 12,500 buildings, Allsop was awarded one of the first three Building Assessment Certificates (BACs) issued by the Building Safety Regulator, a significant milestone that demonstrates both early compliance with the new regulatory framework and the depth of expertise within the Allsop team.
To date, Allsop has prepared eight safety case reports, of which three have been submitted. The Building Safety Regulator has responded to two of these submissions, requesting that we substantiate our claims regarding building safety by providing additional supporting evidence and technical appraisals of the documents submitted. We anticipate that the BSR will issue certification for these applications in the coming months.
Broadly Compliant Letters
We have secured ‘Broadly Compliant’ letters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, following inspections carried out under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Under the FSO and FSER, all higher-risk buildings are subject to inspection by their local fire and rescue service to determine whether the legal requirements are being met. During these inspections, Fire Officers will ask a series of questions and conduct a visual assessment of the premises. Their questions typically focus on how the building owner and manager have identified fire risks and the measures in place to manage them.
The inspection also involves a review of the building’s fire safety provisions, such as fire alarms, smoke control systems, rising mains, and evacuation alert systems, including how these are maintained, tested, and kept operational. The officer will also assess the safety and accessibility of emergency routes and exits.
As part of the audit, the Fire Officer will request to review fire safety documentation and will evaluate the adequacy of the information stored in the Premises Information Box, as required by the FSER.
A ‘Broadly Compliant’ outcome indicates that the building meets the requirements of both the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations (FSER), and that robust fire safety management is in place. This outcome will also strengthen our submission to the Building Safety Regulator when applying for a Building Assessment Certificate, as part of the building Safety Case. The Regulator consults with local fire and rescue services during its review, so demonstrating compliance at this level adds significant weight to our application.