Building Safety Act whitepaper: BS 8670 for Main Contractors

Main Contractors – Help build a safer future: it’s time to embrace the Building Safety Act

The Building Safety Act (2022) is transforming construction for the better, making ground-breaking reforms to manage construction safety risk.

The legislation applies to everyone in a construction project: In our previous whitepapers, we covered the essentials of the Building Safety Act and the secondary legislation – but what about BS 8670*? What is it? Why might it affect you?

Created in response to the findings from the Hackitt review in light of the 2017 Grenfell tragedy, BS 8670 provides key guidance on how Main Contractors can align with the Building Safety Act competency requirements and assess subcontractors proportionally.

In our latest whitepaper, we’ve broken down what BS 8670 means for Main Contractors and outlined the key points to help navigate the changing requirements under the Building Safety Act.

What’s included?

• What is BS 8670?
• Proportional Compliance, what it means and how you can assess your subcontractors
• Tips for championing positive change: bridging regulatory expectations and industry practice
• Building safety competence: putting BS 8670 into action with the help of Constructionline**
• 5 ways to encourage behavioural competence for assured building safety outcomes
• Understanding BS 8670’s core criteria within:
  • Fire safety, structural safety and public safety
  • Knowledge management and communication
  • Buildings as systems, building systems and construction products
  • Identifying infractions for higher-risk buildings
• How Constructionline** can help

*Please note on 31st May, BSI Flex 8670 was superseded by BS 8670-1:2024.

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Background to the Building Safety Act 2022 

In July 2020, the Government introduced the Draft Building Safety Bill, aimed at advancing comprehensive reforms to the building safety system and addressing concerns identified by Dame Judith Hackitt DBE in her independent review, “Building a Safer Future.” 

The new regime under the BSA 2022 applies from and including 1 October 2023, and applies to both occupied buildings and those under construction. From and including 1 October 2023, new buildings that fall within the regime and are “completed” after this date must be registered before the building is occupied. 

The Building Safety Act 2022 stands as the primary legislative framework that legally establishes building safety standards throughout the design, construction, and occupation phases. While the Act’s practical implementation will depend on detailed regulations, often referred to as Statutory Instruments, these secondary legislations will provide specific guidance on its enforcement.

**Constructionline is part of the Once For All Group