Building compliance is no longer a single checkpoint within the construction process; it is a continuous obligation that begins at concept design and extends beyond occupation. In the UK, the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022and associated regulations has fundamentally redefined how compliance is managed, particularly for high-rise and complex buildings. Developers, contractors, and dutyholders must now demonstrate competence, maintain traceable records, and provide assurance to the Building Safety Regulator that every stage of their project meets the relevant standards.
At Salus, our Building Regulation Consultancy works alongside clients from the earliest design discussions through to completion and occupation, ensuring that every element aligns with the Building Regulations 2010, the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) Regulations 2023, and the expectations of the regulator.
This article explores how compliance should be managed across all stages of a project lifecycle, from pre-construction to handover, and how early collaboration with building control experts can safeguard project outcomes.
Pre-Construction Stage: Designing for Compliance
What Does “Designing for Compliance” Mean?
Designing for compliance means embedding regulatory, safety, and performance standards into the project’s design before construction begins. The goal is to eliminate compliance risks at source, ensuring that the design satisfies Building Regulations and future operational requirements.
- Establishing Dutyholder Responsibilities
Under the Building Safety Act 2022, the pre-construction stage demands clear allocation of roles and responsibilities. The Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, as defined under both the Building Safety Act and the CDM Regulations 2015, carry legal duties to ensure that compliance is considered throughout design development.
Salus’ Building Regulation Consultancy teams supports these dutyholders by identifying regulatory pathways early, ensuring that the design satisfies not only the functional requirements of the Building Regulations but also the evolving expectations of the Building Safety Regulator. Early advice at this stage can prevent costly redesigns or re-approvals later in the project.
Definition: Principal Designer
The individual or organisation responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring the pre-construction phase to ensure that design work complies with Building Regulations and does not compromise health and safety.
- Integrating Building Regulations into the Design Process
Each element of a design must be informed by the appropriate Approved Documents (A to S). Fire safety (Approved Document B), structure (A), ventilation (F), and energy performance (L) are particularly critical in complex or high-rise schemes. Salus’s design reviews assess compliance against these standards and, where appropriate, against alternative approaches such as BS 9999 (fire safety in design and management) or BS EN standards.
Digital coordination, particularly through Building Information Modelling (BIM), is now a key enabler for compliance. BIM provides traceability of decisions and ensures that all parties contribute to the Golden Thread of information, a live, digital record of the building’s design, construction, and operation.
Definition: The Golden Thread
A secure, digital record that stores and updates key design, construction, and safety information throughout the building’s life, ensuring accountability and traceability from design to occupation.
- Gateway 1: Fire Safety in the Planning Stage
For higher-risk buildings, Gateway 1 requires developers to submit a fire statement at the planning application stage. This must demonstrate that fire safety has been integrated into the design from the outset. Salus assists project teams in preparing these submissions, liaising with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure that potential compliance risks are identified early and that planning approval aligns with the regulator’s expectations.
Related Resource: HSE Building Safety Regulator: Fire Statements and Planning Requirements
- Common Pre-Construction Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Delays and additional costs often arise from incomplete performance specifications, unclear responsibilities, or inadequate early engagement with Building Control. Salus mitigates these risks by conducting proactive design stage audits, coordinating with architects and consultants, and embedding compliance requirements into tender documentation and technical specifications.
Typical pitfalls include:
- Ambiguous design details (e.g., fire compartmentation).
- Incomplete material data or certifications.
- Late-stage design changes not validated for compliance.
By integrating compliance reviews at RIBA Stage 2 or 3, Salus helps project teams secure early regulatory confidence.
Construction Stage: Managing On-Site Compliance
How Does Building Control Manage Compliance During Construction?
Once construction begins, compliance must be demonstrated through evidence rather than assumed from design intent. This involves inspection, documentation, competence verification, and change control.
- Gateway 2: Approval Before Construction Begins
For higher-risk buildings, no construction may commence without Building Control approval at Gateway 2. This includes submission of detailed plans, competence declarations, and a construction control plan outlining how compliance will be maintained throughout the works.
Salus supports dutyholders by working with them to check that all design information and supporting documentation meet the regulator’s expectations before works proceed. This early approval process helps avoid costly on-site amendments and ensures that project milestones align with regulatory expectations.
- Building Control Inspections and Record-Keeping
During construction, compliance is maintained through systematic inspections, evidence gathering, and quality assurance. Salus can conducts regular site inspections to verify workmanship, materials, and conformity to approved drawings. Every inspection is logged digitally, complete with photographic evidence and commentary, maintaining transparency within the Golden Thread record.
Definition: Building Control Inspection
A formal review by a Registered Building Inspector appointed by the Building Safety Regulator to ensure that work on site complies with the approved design and Building Regulations.
This documentation is essential for Gateway 3 approval and ensures that compliance can be evidenced in real time rather than retrospectively.
- Demonstrating Competence Under the Building Safety Act
The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) Regulations 2023 place a legal duty on organisations and individuals to prove competence. Salus works closely with contractors to review competency frameworks, verify qualifications, and ensure that the right expertise is deployed for each stage of work. This proactive verification helps maintain compliance integrity throughout construction.
- Managing Design Changes During Construction
Alterations are inevitable during construction. However, significant changes may impact compliance and must be approved by Building Control before implementation. Salus helps identify whether proposed variations are “notifiable changes” and ensures that re-approval processes are followed to maintain regulatory consistency.
Failure to manage changes properly can lead to non-compliance at completion, costly remedial works, or delays in occupation approval.
- Common Construction Stage Issues
Typical compliance issues include:
- Incorrect or incomplete firestopping.
- Substituted materials lacking appropriate certification.
- Inadequate commissioning or testing records.
Through structured inspection schedules, Salus identifies these risks early, supporting dutyholders in rectifying non-conformities before they escalate.
Completion and Handover Stage: Achieving Gateway 3 Approval
What Is Gateway 3?
Gateway 3 is the final approval stage before occupation. It confirms that all works meet Building Regulations, that evidence has been verified, and that the building can be safely occupied.
- Submitting Evidence for Gateway 3
At completion, Gateway 3 requires a comprehensive package of evidence, including as-built drawings, commissioning certificates, fire and structural safety documentation, and signed declarations from the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.
Salus supports clients in collating, reviewing, and validating this evidence to meet the regulator’s standards and facilitate a smooth approval process.
- Golden Thread and Digital Handover
A compliant handover now demands a digital information record that captures the building’s design and construction history. Salus assists in compiling this digital handover package, ensuring that information remains accurate, verifiable, and usable for the building’s operational life.
This record not only meets regulatory obligations but also supports future asset management and refurbishment by providing a clear, accessible data trail.
- Safety Case Files and Occupation Readiness
Before occupation, the Accountable Person must prepare a Safety Case File demonstrating how building risks are identified, mitigated, and managed. Salus provides structured guidance on assembling this documentation, ensuring all residual risks are recorded and maintenance strategies are in place.
- Continuous Compliance Post-Handover
Compliance continues beyond completion. Regular inspections, change control, and safety reviews are essential throughout the building’s life. Salus supports asset owners in developing maintenance strategies and compliance monitoring systems that align with the Building Safety Regulator’s expectations.
The Salus Approach: Integrated Compliance Partnership
At Salus Building Regulation Consultancy, we believe that effective compliance management is founded on collaboration, transparency, and technical excellence. Our consultants work closely with design and construction teams to deliver a proactive service that identifies challenges early and resolves them efficiently.
Our digital inspection and record-keeping tools maintain the Golden Thread of information, ensuring that every decision, drawing, and inspection is traceable and auditable. This approach reduces project risk, streamlines approval, and strengthens accountability.
For over two decades, Salus has guided clients through complex projects, from commercial developments and healthcare facilities to high-rise residential schemes, combining regulatory insight with practical site experience.
Final Thoughts
In today’s regulatory landscape, managing compliance is not an administrative task, it is a continuous process that safeguards life, investment, and reputation. The Building Safety Act has made early engagement and rigorous evidence gathering essential to project success.
By partnering with experienced Building Control professionals from the outset, developers and contractors can navigate complex requirements with confidence, ensuring that their buildings are safe, compliant, and future-ready.
Contact Salus today to learn how our integrated compliance management approach can support your next project from design through to handover.