How Frequently Should Structural Safety Be Reviewed in HRBs?
The Building Safety Act 2022 places an ongoing duty on owners and Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), residential blocks over 18 metres or seven storeys with at least two residential units, to ensure that structural safety risks are actively managed.
While the Act doesn’t specify an exact time frame for re-inspection, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) expects PAPs to show that structural risk is monitored continuously and reviewed at appropriate intervals. Having a clear schedule for regular structural reviews is a critical part of maintaining compliance and keeping residents safe.
Continuous Management vs. Scheduled Reviews
- Continuous management means keeping an up-to-date understanding of your building’s structural condition and risks, reacting to new information or changes (e.g. damage, alterations, or new guidance).
- Scheduled reviews provide a formal, documented check of the structure’s performance over time. These major reviews should be planned and recorded in the building’s Golden Thread.
Together, they show the regulator that you are actively maintaining the safety of your building rather than treating it as a one-off exercise.
Best Practice: Recommended Review Intervals
While there’s no single rule, our experience suggests the following is a practical approach for most HRBs:
- Major Structural Review: Every 5 years or sooner if your engineer recommends based on risk profile, age and materials.
- Targeted Inspections: Annually or biennially for known problem areas (e.g. balconies, roof edges, corrosion-prone elements).
- Event-Triggered Reviews: Immediately after events that could impact structural integrity, such as:
- Earthquakes or significant ground movement.
- Explosions or impacts.
- Fire affecting structural components.
- Major refurbishments, fit-outs or change of use increasing loads.
This approach keeps you ahead of deterioration and demonstrates reasonably practicable risk control, a key principle of the Act.
Creating a Structural Safety Review Schedule
When setting your schedule, consider:
- Age and original construction: Older concrete or steel structures may need more frequent checks.
- Known risk factors: Corrosion, water ingress, movement or historic alterations.
- Inspection history: Shorter intervals if previous reports highlighted issues.
- Regulatory expectations: Demonstrating planned, ongoing monitoring satisfies the BSR and avoids compliance challenges.
A Structural Safety Report (SSR) should include a recommended inspection frequency tailored to your building’s risk profile.
Why Partner With a Competent Structural Engineer
A qualified, preferably Chartered Structural Engineer, can help you:
- Define an appropriate review and monitoring schedule.
- Carry out detailed structural appraisals at agreed intervals.
- Update your Golden Thread with current safety data.
- Provide regulator-ready reports when requested.
This ensures you meet the ongoing duty to maintain structural safety under the Building Safety Act 2022.
How Structures Made Easy Can Help
At Structures Made Easy, we provide BSR-ready Structural Safety Reports and tailored inspection plans so you stay compliant long-term. Our service includes:
- Competence and Chartered Engineer sign-off.
- Expert advice on appropriate review intervals for your building.
- Integrated reporting and digital records for the Golden Thread.
- Fast turnaround and cost-effective portfolio solutions.
We help owners and Principal Accountable Persons maintain safety proactively, avoiding regulatory delays and unexpected costs.
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