Achieving a Building Assessment Certificate: Structural Submissions You Need
If you own or manage a Higher-Risk Building (HRB), a residential building over 18 metres or seven storeys with at least two residential units, the Building Safety Act 2022 requires you to demonstrate that the building is safe for residents.
A key milestone in this process is securing a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC) from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
The BAC confirms that you have met your legal obligations to assess and control the two defined building safety risks: spread of fire and structural failure. To achieve this, the regulator expects clear and competent structural submissions as part of your Safety Case Report.
Understanding the Building Assessment Certificate Process
- Register the HRB
Owners and Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) must register all occupied HRBs with the BSR. - Prepare Your Safety Case
Develop a robust, ongoing system that identifies, assesses and controls fire and structural risks. - Submit the Safety Case Report
When the BSR requests it, provide a clear report summarising how risks are managed and controlled. - Regulatory Review
The BSR reviews the Safety Case Report and may request additional evidence or clarifications. - Issuance of the Building Assessment Certificate
If satisfied, the BSR issues the BAC, confirming compliance and allowing the building to remain occupied.
Structural Documentation the BSR Expects
To achieve a BAC, the structural section of your Safety Case Report should include:
- Structural Safety Report (SSR):
A formal document prepared by a competent structural engineer assessing the current condition and performance of the building’s load-bearing systems. - Structural Appraisal:
Evidence-based review of the building’s ability to safely support loads, considering age, materials, design, alterations and deterioration. - Risk Assessment:
Identification of credible failure modes (e.g., deflection, corrosion, cracking, overloading) with documented control measures. - Maintenance and Monitoring Plan:
Details of ongoing inspection, monitoring and repair strategies to keep the structure safe.
Structural Documentation the BSR Expects
To achieve a BAC, the structural section of your Safety Case Report should include:
- Structural Safety Report (SSR):
A formal document prepared by a competent structural engineer assessing the current condition and performance of the building’s load-bearing systems. - Structural Appraisal:
Evidence-based review of the building’s ability to safely support loads, considering age, materials, design, alterations and deterioration. - Risk Assessment:
Identification of credible failure modes (e.g., deflection, corrosion, cracking, overloading) with documented control measures. - Maintenance and Monitoring Plan:
Details of ongoing inspection, monitoring and repair strategies to keep the structure safe. - Competence Declaration:
Confirmation that the report was prepared and signed off by a Chartered Structural Engineer or equivalent, demonstrating compliance with the Act’s competence expectations.
- Digital-Ready Format:
Documentation suitable for inclusion in the Golden Thread of building information.
These submissions reassure the regulator that the risk of structural failure has been understood, managed and documented.
Why Competence Matters
The BSR places strong emphasis on appointing competent professionals. Reports prepared by Chartered Structural Engineers (MIStructE or CEng MICE) with HRB experience are far more likely to pass review without delays or requests for further evidence.
How We Can Help
At Structures Made Easy, we make achieving a Building Assessment Certificate straightforward by providing:
- Competence and Chartered sign-off
- Proven HRB experience
- Fast turnaround for compliance deadlines
- Portfolio pricing for multiple buildings
- Clear, regulator-ready structural reporting formats
Our structural reports are tailored for Safety Case Reports and help owners meet the BSR’s requirements efficiently and confidently.
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