Building Safety Risks Explained: Fire vs. Structural Failure
The Building Safety Act 2022 identifies two key building safety risks that owners and managers of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) must actively manage: the spread of fire and structural failure. Understanding these risks is critical for anyone responsible for keeping residents safe and for meeting the legal requirements of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
While fire safety has received widespread attention for many years, the Act gives equal importance to structural safety. Building owners and Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) now have a clear duty to identify and reduce the risk of their building’s structure failing.
The Two Legally Defined Building Safety Risks
-
Spread of Fire
This risk covers any situation where a fire can spread beyond its point of origin and threaten residents in other parts of the building. It includes issues such as:
- Inadequate compartmentation or fire stopping
- Poorly performing cladding or external wall systems
- Defective fire doors, escape routes or fire-resistant construction
-
Structural Failure
This risk refers to any partial or total collapse or instability of the building’s structural system. It includes:
- Overloading of floors, balconies or roof structures.
- Material degradation such as concrete corrosion or timber decay.
- Poorly designed or altered structural elements that compromise stability.
- Progressive collapse caused by a local failure spreading through the structure.
The Principal Accountable Person must show the BSR that both risks are understood and managed for the life of the building.
What Structural Failure Means for Building Owners
Structural failure is not limited to complete collapse. It can include:
- Serious cracking or movement of load-bearing walls or columns.
- Deflection or sagging of floors and roofs.
- Deterioration of structural concrete or steel frames.
- Instability in balconies, parapets or façade systems.
- Weaknesses introduced by refurbishments or service penetrations.
These failures may develop slowly over time but can create significant safety hazards if not addressed. Early identification and mitigation are critical to avoid enforcement action, costly emergency works and risk to residents.
How Structural Reports Address the Risk
A Structural Report prepared by a competent structural engineer provides the evidence you need to demonstrate control of the structural failure risk. It will usually include:
- Review of original design drawings and past alterations
- Site inspection of frames, slabs, walls, cores, roofs and balconies
- Targeted intrusive investigation if records are missing or concerns exist
- A structural appraisal based on the information available at the time of reporting
- Risk assessment of potential failure modes and clear recommendations
Including this report within your Safety Case satisfies the regulator that you have carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment of structural safety.
Why It Matters
Failure to demonstrate control of structural failure risk can lead to the BSR refusing a Building Assessment Certificate, making it harder to refinance, insure or sell the property. It also puts residents and your reputation at risk.
How We Can Help
At Structures Made Easy, we help building owners and Principal Accountable Persons manage structural safety effectively. Our service provides:
- Competence and Chartered sign-off
- Proven experience with Higher-Risk Buildings
- Fast turnaround to meet BSR deadlines
- Portfolio pricing for owners with multiple buildings
- BSR-ready reporting format trusted by regulators and insurers
We make it simple to understand and manage the structural failure risk required under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Related articles
Download a structural safety report starter guide with Structures Made Easy Ltd.
Why choose us?
With over 3000 successfully completed projects to date, we have consistently proven ourselves to be a leader in the industry. From design cross check procedures to quality control measures, we will ensure your project is completed to your exact specifications.
100% Success in Building Regs
Fully Qualified SE
Transparent Fees
Practical & Efficient Designs
Clear Advice
Fast Turnaround
We make all our processes as simple as
possible giving you peace of mind
STEP 1
Get a quote. Refer to enquiry form or email or speak to engineer
STEP 2
Arrange site inspection
STEP 3
Report delivered