Addressing Both Fire and Structural Risks: Why Dual Assessments Matter
The Building Safety Act 2022 defines two core building safety risks for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs): the spread of fire and structural failure.
To satisfy the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and obtain or maintain a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC), owners and Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) must demonstrate that both risks are fully understood, assessed and actively managed.
Many owners focus on fire safety first but overlooking structural safety can leave your Safety Case incomplete and risk non-compliance.
Why Structural and Fire Safety Are Interconnected
- Fire can trigger structural failure:
High heat can weaken steel, spall concrete, reduce reinforcement strength and cause progressive collapse. - Structural defects can worsen fire spread:
Poor compartmentation, cracking, or structural movement may compromise fire barriers and allow smoke or flames to spread faster. - The regulator expects a holistic approach:
The BSR assesses whether all reasonably practicable measures have been taken to manage both fire and structural safety. A Safety Case Report missing structural risk management may be rejected.
Dual Assessments Are Best Practice
Industry guidance and professional bodies recommend engaging both fire safety specialists and structural engineers when preparing a Safety Case Report for an HRB. Each brings a different focus:
- Fire engineer: Identifies ignition risks, fire spread pathways, evacuation strategy and fire protection systems.
- Structural engineer: Assesses the building’s ability to resist loads, fire damage, deterioration and abnormal events (e.g. explosion, impact).
Together, these assessments ensure your building is robust under fire exposure and that fire safety measures are structurally supported.
Consequences of Neglecting Structural Safety
- Regulatory delays: The BSR may request additional evidence before granting a BAC.
- Increased liability: Owners may face claims if structural defects contribute to fire spread or collapse.
- Higher insurance risk: Insurers increasingly want proof of a full structural risk assessment alongside fire safety.
- Resident concern: Tenants and leaseholders expect both fire and structural safety to be addressed.
How Structures Made Easy Supports the Structural Side
At Structures Made Easy, we work alongside your fire safety professionals to ensure a complete, regulator-ready Safety Case. Our services include:
- Chartered Structural Engineer-led assessments of structural integrity and fire resilience.
- Identification of defects, deterioration and weaknesses that could impact fire performance.
- BSR-ready Structural Safety Reports integrating with the Golden Thread.
- Fast turnaround and portfolio pricing for owners managing multiple HRBs.
We make it easy to satisfy your structural obligations so your overall Safety Case is robust, complete and regulator-approved.
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