The Building Safety Act (BSA) has introduced transformative changes across the UK’s property sector, setting new standards for accountability, transparency, and long-term risk management. While focused on high-risk residential buildings, these regulations—and lessons from the Grenfell Inquiry—are driving similar expectations for commercial properties, particularly around fire safety and the competency of risk assessors.
Tetra Consulting, with its dedicated team of directly employed, fully qualified experts, has been at the forefront of this shift, helping clients in both construction and property management navigate the complex demands of the Act. Through a hands-on approach and commitment to ongoing support, Tetra ensures that property owners, investors, and managers are well-prepared to adapt to this evolving regulatory landscape.
Dr Shaun Lundy, Quality Assurance and Strategy Director at Tetra Consulting, highlights how these changes transcend the residential sector:
“There are definitely lessons to be learned across the industry from the Building Safety Act and the Grenfell Inquiry recommendations. A key theme that will affect commercial properties directly is the regulation of fire risk assessors and the growing focus on competence, the Golden Thread of information, and the idea of the Intelligent Customer.”
At Tetra Consulting, we’ve successfully submitted hundreds of Building Safety Case Reports and worked closely with the Regulator on our approach to this. This deep, practical involvement has positioned us to understand the evolving safety landscape and its broader applications across different property types.
Key Areas of Impact for Commercial Property
While the BSA focuses heavily on residential high-risk buildings, it has set a precedent for how safety is managed across the built environment. Commercial property managers should take heed of the following key areas:
1. Fire Safety and Structural Integrity
There is an increased focus on ensuring fire safety and maintaining structural integrity throughout a building’s lifecycle. While these measures are primarily aimed at high-risk residential buildings, they have clear implications for commercial properties—especially those with a mixed-use component or public access.
For example, fire safety strategies must be regularly reviewed, with comprehensive documentation to support any actions taken. As Dr Lundy notes:
“Important themes are emerging around fire strategy and the regulation of fire engineers, which commercial property owners should be particularly attentive to.”
2. Competence and Regulation of Fire Risk Assessors and Engineers
The Grenfell Inquiry recommendations have highlighted the need for stricter registration and regulation of fire risk assessors and engineers, ensuring that those who carry out assessments and advise on fire safety are properly qualified and competent. This applies directly to commercial properties as well.
“The proposed registration and regulation of fire risk assessors mean that commercial property owners will need to be more discerning intelligent customers in the future” says Dr Lundy.
This means ensuring that your chosen assessors have the correct Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours, and are registered under the new emerging competency frameworks. Having properly regulated professionals will be key to maintaining the safety and compliance of your properties.
3. The ‘Golden Thread’ of Information
One of the Act’s key concepts is the Golden Thread of Information—a set of accurate, up-to-date records that follow a building throughout its life. While initially aimed at residential buildings, this is a best practice requirement that commercial property managers would do well to adopt.
Maintaining detailed safety records, conducting regular risk assessments, and ensuring that fire safety strategies are up-to-date will not only help with compliance but also build long-term resilience in managing risk.
4. Greater Accountability and Ongoing Compliance
The BSA brings greater accountability to building owners and managers, with an expectation of ongoing compliance. For commercial properties, this means being proactive—whether that’s conducting risk assessments, gap analyses, or reporting regularly to Regulatory bodies.
At Tetra, we have a proportionate approach informed by many years of experience of working closely with the Regulator and supporting clients on the BSA at its earliest stages. We are now ready to extend these lessons learned to the commercial sector
Industry Engagement and Insights from Tetra Consulting
Our expertise at Tetra is built on years of hands-on experience in submitting hundreds of safety case reports, collaborating closely with the Regulator, and educating the industry through our frequent webinars and speaking engagements at events.
Dr Lundy underscores this:
“We’re seeing some of the most important things emerging now, particularly in the proposed regulation and recognition of fire engineers and assessors. It’s critical that commercial property owners stay informed of these developments.”
As active participants in the industry and regulatory bodies, we bring a wealth of experience to help guide commercial property managers through these evolving regulatory landscapes.
How Tetra Can Help Commercial Property Owners
At Tetra, we’re proud of our track record in helping building owners maintain compliance and improve their building safety measures. With our years of experience working with both residential and commercial properties, we’re uniquely positioned to support commercial property managers in adapting to these changes.
Whether it’s ensuring fire safety strategies are up to date, selecting competent fire risk assessors, or maintaining a comprehensive Golden Thread of information, Tetra’s team of directly employed, fully qualified experts is here to assist. Our hands-on approach and close collaboration with Regulatory bodies mean we can provide tailored solutions to help you navigate this shifting landscape with confidence.
Take Action Now
If you’re a commercial property owner or manager, now is the time to review your safety practices and ensure your properties are prepared for the evolving regulatory standards.
Get in touch with Tetra Consulting today to learn more about how we can help you stay compliant, improve safety, and future-proof your property management strategies.