Building Safety Regulator Updates: What Facility Managers Must Known

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) landscape is undergoing dramatic changes in 2025, significantly impacting facility managers across England. From major organisational restructuring to expanded compliance requirements, these updates will reshape how building safety is managed and regulated. Here's everything facility managers need to know about the latest developments.

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Building Safety Regulator Updates: What Facility Managers Must Know

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Major BSR Restructuring Announced

In a landmark announcement on June 30, 2025, the government revealed a complete overhaul of the Building Safety Regulator. The BSR is being transferred from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to become an arms-length body under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The transition is being led by former London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe as non-executive chair, with Charlie Pugsley, former deputy commissioner at London Fire Brigade, appointed as chief executive. This represents a significant shift towards fire safety expertise at the highest levels of building regulation.

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What This Means for Facility Managers:

• Faster decision-making processes for building safety applications

• Enhanced focus on fire safety compliance across all building types

• More streamlined communication channels with regulatory authorities

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Enhanced Resources and Capacity

More than 100 new staff will be recruited to bolster the regulator's capacity, with in-house engineers and building inspectors helping to clear the backlog of stalled applications. This expansion addresses one of the most pressing concerns in the industry – delayed approvals for high-rise residential projects.

The department's new approach "will bring building inspector and engineer capacity directly into the BSR to enhance the processing and review of existing newbuild cases and remediation decisions".

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Building Assessment Certificates: New Transparency Requirements

The Building Assessment Certificate provides an overview of the building's compliance with specific legal duties at the time of assessment. The key purposes of the Certificate are to provide a transparent assessment of a building's safety status and identify potential safety hazards within a building.

For facility managers, this means:

• Regular compliance assessments will become mandatory for higher-risk buildings

• Documentation standards must be maintained to the highest levels

• Transparency with residents and stakeholders is now legally required

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Expanded Registration Requirements Coming

The Remediation Bill is anticipated for Summer 2025 and is expected to widen the net of registration of tall residential buildings from a minimum height of 18m to 11m.

This expansion will significantly increase the number of buildings under BSR oversight, meaning:

• More facility managers will need to understand BSR compliance requirements

• Buildings between 11-18m will need comprehensive safety management systems

• Enhanced record-keeping and reporting will be required across a broader property portfolio

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The Building Safety Levy: Financial Implications

The much-anticipated Building Safety Levy legislation is due to be enacted by Autumn 2025. The Levy will affect all residential developments which require building control approval, regardless of height.

Key details for facility managers:

• All residential developments with 10 or more plots/bed units will be affected

• Purpose-built student accommodation with 30 or more bed units will be included

• Exemptions expected for NHS facilities, care homes, and military barracks

• Developers will be responsible for payment to local authorities

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Enhanced Compliance Focus for 2025

With the ongoing developments in the RAAC scandal across UK schools and Universities, and the final report from the Grenfell Inquiry, 2025 will likely see an even greater spotlight on competence and compliance in line with the Building Safety Act 2022.

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Facility managers must ensure:

• Regular risk assessments are undertaken, especially for higher-risk buildings

• Statutory works are scheduled and documented

• A Principal Accountable Person (PAP) is appointed where required

• All maintenance information is evidenced as part of the "golden thread"

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Practical Steps for Facility Managers

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Compliance Preparation

• Review current buildings to determine if they fall under the expanded 11-18 m requirements

• Audit existing fire safety documentation and risk assessments

• Ensure all maintenance records meet BSR standards

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Team Development

Facility Managers have a legal duty to remain competent and compliant. For individuals, this means evidencing skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours.

• Invest in BSR-specific training for facility management teams

• Develop competency frameworks aligned with Building Safety Act requirements

• Establish clear documentation and record-keeping procedures

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System Upgrades

• Implement digital maintenance management systems

• Prepare for Building Assessment Certificate requirements with comprehensive documentation

• Establish communication protocols with residents and stakeholders

• Schedule regular ventilation cleaning and air quality assessments

• Ensure fire damper testing programmes meet new BSR standards

• Review extract cleaning schedules for commercial facilities

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Looking Ahead: Single Construction Regulator

The changes follow mounting criticism over slow decision-making. They are seen as the first step toward a new single construction regulator – one of the core recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

This future development suggests:

• Further consolidation of building safety oversight

• Streamlined compliance processes across all construction activities

• Enhanced focus on competence across the entire building lifecycle

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Fire Safety Integration

With fire safety experts now leading the BSR, facility managers should expect heightened focus on critical building systems. Fire damper testing will become increasingly scrutinised, as these systems play a crucial role in fire safety across all building types. Extract cleaning requirements, particularly for commercial kitchens and healthcare facilities, will face stricter compliance standards as part of the integrated building safety approach.

Ventilation cleaning and air quality management are also gaining prominence under the new BSR framework, especially as buildings between 11-18m come under regulatory oversight. Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems will require more frequent testing and documentation to meet workplace safety specifications, while comprehensive CVC packages become essential for building owners managing compliance across multiple systems.

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Preparing for Success

The BSR updates represent both challenges and opportunities for facility managers. Those who proactively adapt to these changes will find themselves better positioned to:

• Secure faster regulatory approvals

• Demonstrate compliance more effectively

• Protect building occupants and stakeholders

• Avoid costly enforcement actions

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Key Takeaway

The new BSR structure prioritises safety, efficiency, and transparency. Facility managers who embrace these principles and invest in proper systems, training, and documentation will thrive under the new regulatory framework.

Ready to ensure your buildings meet the latest BSR requirements?

System Hygienics offers comprehensive compliance services, including fire damper testing, ventilation cleaning, extract system maintenance, and air quality assessments. Our BESA-certified engineers can help you navigate these regulatory changes while maintaining the highest safety standards for your building occupants. Contact us today to discuss how our CVC packages and remedial works can support your BSR compliance strategy.

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