Building Safety Act: navigating predictability in an evolving legislative landscape
Jo Weston, our National Product Manager, delivered a session at UKREiiF, detailing how she has witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of the Building Safety Act on our industry.
The Building Safety Act isn't just about new regulations - it's about fundamentally reshaping how we design, construct, and manage buildings.
The Act has brought unprecedented scrutiny to our sector, challenging us to move beyond compliance to creating genuinely safe, resilient structures. We're no longer just ticking boxes; we're reimagining our approach to construction through greater collaboration across the industry.
Key challenges we're addressing include:
Product performance and compliance; the post-Grenfell landscape demands rigorous validation of every material and design element. This means longer design periods, more detailed approvals, and a comprehensive understanding of building regulations that goes far beyond previous standards.
Design complexity and early engagement; the principal designer role has become crucial. We're seeing the need for early, collaborative engagement between designers, contractors, and stakeholders. This means bringing the right experts together from project inception, understanding each party's responsibilities, and creating a clear route to compliance.
Capacity and resource challenges; our industry is experiencing significant pressure. Building control, fire services, and regulatory bodies are all adapting to new requirements, which can create bottlenecks and delays. We're learning to be more flexible, patient, and proactive.
In order to navigate these challenges, it is important to have well-developed strategies such as:
- Upskilling our teams to be able to support our customers and project partners in navigating the new processes effectively
- Implementing robust digital strategies
- Focusing on the 'golden thread' of information
- Future-proofing designs.
The Building Safety Act represents a move from a cost-focused, short-term mindset to a long-term view that prioritises safety, resilience, and community well-being.
Our experience with high-risk building projects has taught us that:
- Early appointment of the principal designer is critical
- Design must be comprehensive and future-oriented
- Communication with regulators requires time and precision
- Shared responsibility is key to success
- Flexibility and adaptability are essential due to ongoing regulatory changes.
By embracing collaboration, investing in competency, and maintaining a commitment to safety and compliance, we can create buildings that not only meet regulations but truly serve our communities.
Want to learn more?
If you’re looking to understand how these insights could apply to your organisation or simply want to explore the topic further, get in touch with Jo Weston. She would be pleased to talk through your challenges and how we can help.
Prefer to listen to audio?
You can listen to the full discussion on our Building Knowledge Podcast on:
Or stream the episode below...
Find out more about Willmott Dixon at UKREiiF 2025 and further event insights here.