What to do if you’re in scope for the Building Safety Act

The UK construction industry is changing with the introduction of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022, placing greater emphasis on safety, transparency, and accountability. For subcontractors, this represents a fundamental shift in how projects and risk are managed. 

If you are reading this, you have likely been identified as “in scope” of the BSA and asked to complete safety questions to remain eligible for work. While this may seem administrative, it is essential for protecting both the built environment and your business. 

This guide explains what “in scope” means, why these requirements apply, and what actions you need to take in your Constructionline profile to stay eligible for work.

 

 

Understanding what ‘In Scope’ means

The term ‘in scope’ refers to specific construction activities that are regulated under the Building Regulations 2010 and subsequently fall within the stringent requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022.

Main contractors are currently reviewing their supply chains to identify every supplier involved in safety-critical work. If you perform any of the following activities, you fall within the scope of this legislation:

• Erection or extension of a building: This covers the fundamental structural work involved in creating new structures or expanding existing ones. 
• Maintenance work: Ongoing upkeep that ensures the safety and functionality of a building’s systems. 
• Renovation, refurbishment, or structural alteration: Any work that changes the fabric or structure of a building. 
• Installation of safety-critical features: This includes fire doors, alarm systems, cladding, and other elements essential for occupant safety. 
• Provision or extension of a controlled service or fitting: Work involving heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or drainage systems connected to a building.

If your day-to-day operations involve these tasks, you are legally required to demonstrate specific competencies and compliance standards. This is why buyers are asking for more detailed evidence from you.

 

At Constructionline, we have streamlined the process to help you demonstrate your compliance efficiently. To satisfy the requirements of your contractors and remain eligible for work, you need to follow these three steps:

 

 

1. Hold a verified Gold or Platinum membership

The level of detail required by the Building Safety Act aligns with the Common Assessment Standard. Therefore, the basic levels of membership are no longer sufficient for ‘in scope’ suppliers. 

• If you are a member but don’t already have Constructionline Gold, Constructionline Platinum or Facilitiesline Gold, please upgrade or add one of these products to your membership via your profile.
• If you are not registered, you need to sign up to begin the verification process. 

Gold and Platinum memberships allow you to demonstrate compliance across a wider range of risk management areas, including the specific Building Safety section required by the Act.

 

2. Complete the Building Safety Requirement fully

This is the most critical step. Once you have the correct membership level, you must navigate to the Building Safety section of your profile. 

It is not enough to simply open the section. You must answer “YES” to the first question and provide the necessary evidence to achieve a “Verified” status.

Ensure your profile remains fully verified and up to date. Expired insurance documents or outdated policies will cause your verified status to lapse, potentially disrupting your workflow.

 

3. Use expert resources to get it right

We understand that legislation can be complex. To help you fill in the Building Safety requirements accurately the first time, we have curated a suite of resources designed specifically for subcontractors.

On-demand webinars

We have created a specific webinar that walks you through the question set question-by-question. It explains exactly what evidence is required, helping you avoid common rejection reasons.

 

 

The ‘Back to Basics’ guide

If you are still unsure about the legislation itself, watch our “Who and what does the Building Safety Act apply to?” webinar.

 

 

Step-by-step guides

View our comprehensive guide on the Building Safety section questions for a reference you can keep on hand while completing your profile.

 

 

Contractor insights

Watch our video featuring main contractors discussing why they have changed their requirements. Hearing directly from the buyers can help you understand the urgency and importance of this data.

 

 

 

 

The benefits of streamlining your compliance

While the immediate driver for this action is a request from your contractors, upgrading your compliance offers significant long-term benefits for your business.

Access to more opportunities

By holding a verified Gold or Platinum membership, you become visible to a vast network of buyers across the UK who strictly require the Common Assessment Standard. This opens doors to larger projects in public and private sectors, including education, government, and infrastructure. 

Reputation and trust

Safety is the new currency in construction. By proactively engaging with the BSA questions, you demonstrate to current and future clients that you are a professional operation that prioritizes safety. This builds trust and enhances your reputation in the local and national market. 

Efficiency through technology

Constructionline’s platform centralises your data. Instead of filling out different pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) for every single tender, you complete your profile once. This data is then available to all buyers on the platform, saving you time and reducing administrative duplication.

 

We are here to support you

Navigating the Building Safety Act is a collective effort. Main contractors, suppliers, and assessment bodies must work together to raise standards across the industry. 

If you are struggling to answer specific questions or are unsure which evidence is required for your specific trade, do not guess. Our support team is available to guide you through the process. We can help you understand the specific requirements for your trade and ensure your upgrade and verification process is as smooth as possible.

You can also speak with the main contractors you work with, as they can often provide guidance or supporting help if needed.

Your compliance is key to securing your pipeline of work. Take action today to ensure you remain ‘in scope’ for the project, but out of range of risk.