The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched new guidance to help introduce the basic concepts of the Building Safety Act to all businesses and explain why it will promote a culture of safety and accountability in the construction industry.

The most significant piece of new legislation in a generation, the Building Safety Act (BSA) will fundamentally change the way in which buildings where people live are designed, constructed and maintained and records are kept of what was built, by whom and how. The Building Safety Act comprises of primary as well as secondary legislation which has complicated new responsibilities and processes.

The guide titled ‘Introduction to the Building Safety Act‘ is designed to help businesses understand the definition of higher risk buildings, roles and responsibilities, and the new bodies including the Building Safety Regulator and New Homes Ombudsman. It explains the importance of organisational competence and how liabilities have changed under the Act. The guidance brings clarity to the three stop-go gateways at key stages of a higher risk building project. Furthermore, it discusses the importance of maintaining the ‘golden thread’ of information throughout the life of a building.

Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS said: “The Building Safety Act represents a huge improvement to the regulatory landscape and will, without question drive a healthier culture centred on improvements in the exchange of information, better design and specification, considered procurement and ensure key details are decided before we are stood on site, scratching heads.

“We hope that this new FIS guidance brings clarity and provides a basic understanding of some of the more complex and complicated elements of the Building Safety Act. With the Act now law, we need as a sector to ensure we have robust processes in place to meet the exacting competency requirements.”

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