(Structural issues, electrical and gas compliance, impact of building safety act BSA 2022 & FRA’s)

Health, safety and risk management are the integral components in maintaining safe and compliant environments within residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Effective and proactive management should seek to ensure protection for occupants, employees, and the general public; mitigate legal liabilities; and improve organisational resilience.

The focus of the next pages is on structural issues, electrical and gas compliance, the implications of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the role of Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs).

Structural issues

Having the benefit of structural integrity in one’s building is pivotal in health and safety risk management as it forms the foundation of a building’s stability and safety. However one must consider the following areas.

Design and construction flaws

As buildings are complexly built, they must be designed and constructed based on rigorous standards in an attempt to eliminate sudden dangers such as collapses, cracks, or water seepage. A great number of structural flaws appear due to low-quality materials, lousy construction methods, or inappropriate planning at the design stage. It is also a good practice to be performing frequent inspections and observing building codes as these are going to be important in finding such issues early before they even become cumbersome.

Aging structure

Where older buildings are concerned, in time these buildings will develop structural weaknesses. This includes matters such as foundation settling, corrosion of the metal reinforcements or degradation of some materials used like concrete and wood. Property managers should adopt a pro-active approach to risk management in these situations. This will involve periodic structural assessments by certified professionals, retrofitting and repairs to maintain safety standards.

Load-bearing concerns

Overloading a building beyond the capacity it is designed for can lead to cracks forming in the brick work or much worse…structural failure. This issue is very relevant in multi-use spaces and warehouses. In these buildings, monitoring load distribution and making sure that capacity limits are complied with will be essential in preventing accidents.

Any building with structural issues that are found will have large implications for health and safety, ranging from minor inconveniences to catastrophic failures. Such issues need to be addressed head-on, which is one of the important components in comprehensive risk management and fantastic property management practice.

Gas and Electrical Compliance

Electrical and gas systems present a number of hazards, such as fire, electrocution, explosion, and carbon monoxide poisoning, if not properly maintained. Compliance with regulations and best practice is part of the risk management process.

Electrical Safety

Electrical systems should be installed and maintained to meet the requirements of regulations such as the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) in the UK. Some key provisions of these regulations include:

• Routine inspection and testing of wiring and appliances.
• Installation of RCDs to prevent electric shock
• Training of staff on the safe use of electrical equipment

Gas Safety

The gas appliances and installation shall be installed to meet the requirements of standards such as Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It requires:

•  Annual servicing and inspection by Gas Safe Register engineers
• Proper ventilation in the areas where gas appliances are used to avoid the accumulation of carbon monoxide
• Installation of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms.

The consequences for not meeting the electrical and gas safety standards include very severe consequences: lawsuits, fines, and even loss of life. These risks are successfully kept under control by sticking to the protocols for compliance.

Implication of the Building Safety Act 2022

The Building Safety Act 2022 is a game-changer in how building safety will be approached in the UK following the tragic Grenfell Tower incident. It aspires to ensure accountability, more transparency, and increased safety in building management, particularly for high-rise residential buildings.

Key Provisions

The Establishment of the Building Safety Regulator: The BSR is responsible for enforcing safety standards and monitoring compliance with the Act.

• Accountable Person: Owners and managers of high-risk buildings are designated as Accountable Persons, responsible for maintaining safety throughout the building’s lifecycle.
• Golden Thread of Information: Comprehensive records of a building’s design, construction, and safety measures must be maintained to ensure accountability and facilitate informed decision-making.

Risk Management Implications

The Act requires proactive steps like periodic inspections, resident involvement on safety issues, and stringent adherence to fire and structural safety principles. These requirements will obviously require resources for training, documentation and upgrading by organisations.

Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)

Fire Risk Assessments are one of the foundation stones of fire safety management. They include systematic identification of fire hazards, risk evaluation, and the implementation of measures to control risks that protect occupants and properties.

Importance of FRAs

• Compliance: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales requires responsible persons to conduct regular FRAs.
• Reduces potential loss of life and property by identifying and mitigating fire hazards.

Components of FRAs

1. Hazard Identification: Flammable materials, ignition sources, and structural vulnerabilities are assessed.
2. Risk Evaluation: The likelihood of a fire and the magnitude of its potential impact are analysed.
3. Control Measures: Safety protocols such as fire doors, alarms, and extinguishers are implemented.
4. Emergency Planning: Well-identified evacuation processes and training of staff regarding fire safety.

To summarise, health, safety, and risk management are being developed within a multifaceted approach. An approach that embeds structural safety, adherence to standards for electricity and gas, up-to-date legal frameworks, and proactive fire safety measures. The Building Safety Act 2022 has brought about a sea change in the emphasis on accountability and resident safety. The Act also consolidates the legal framework in relation to FRAs, especially for high-rise buildings, with increased frequency of review and in the transparency of reporting findings.Organisations will need to develop a learning culture, embracing technology and expertise to underpin rigid compliance in protecting both lives and assets.