What to Expect During a Structural Safety Inspection (and How to Prepare)
If you own or manage a Higher-Risk Building (HRB), a residential block over 18 metres or seven storeys with at least two residential units, the Building Safety Act 2022 requires you to demonstrate that the risk of structural failure is fully understood and managed.
A key part of this process is a Structural Safety Inspection, usually carried out as part of preparing your Structural Safety Report (SSR) and Safety Case Report for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Knowing what to expect and preparing properly will make the process smoother, faster and more cost-efficient.
What Engineers Will Look At
During a professional structural safety inspection, our engineers focus on the building’s load-bearing system to assess its current condition and long-term performance. This typically includes:
- Columns and beams: Checking for cracking, corrosion, deflection or past modifications.
- Floor slabs and roof structure: Assessing sagging, water damage or structural overloading.
- Load-bearing walls and cores: Looking for settlement cracks, movement or unauthorised alterations.
- Balconies, parapets and cantilevers: Examining for deterioration, water ingress or corrosion.
- Foundations and substructure: Reviewing accessible evidence of settlement or weakness (visual only unless intrusive works are agreed).
- Previous alterations: Identifying whether walls, beams or openings have changed the building’s load paths.
Where information is missing or critical elements are hidden, the engineer may recommend opening-up works or testing.
Information to Provide in Advance
The inspection is most effective when the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) or managing agent provides:
- Original design drawings and structural calculations (if available).
- As-built or record drawings showing key load-bearing elements.
- Any previous structural reports, surveys or remedial works documentation.
- Details of known issues such as cracking, movement or past structural alterations.
- Access information such as plant rooms, roof spaces, service risers or locked areas.
Having this information ready helps avoid repeat visits and accelerates the reporting process.
How to Prepare Your Building for Inspection
- Ensure access: Unlock roof spaces, plant rooms, service risers and restricted areas.
- Clear obstructions: Where possible, move stored materials that block visual access to walls, slabs or cores.
- Notify occupants: If access to certain flats, communal spaces or plant rooms is needed.
- Provide safe access equipment: For roof areas or elevated positions where inspection is required.
- Collate records: Gather any past drawings, calculations and maintenance reports for review.
Being well-prepared reduces disruption, keeps costs predictable and speeds up report delivery.
Why a Thorough Inspection Matters
The Building Safety Regulator expects the Structural Safety Report to be based on a reasonably practicable structural appraisal a professional assessment of the structure’s condition and risks based on available information and inspections. A thorough inspection ensures:
- Accurate understanding of the building’s safety risks.
- Fewer unknowns that could delay the Building Assessment Certificate (BAC).
- Clear, regulator-ready reporting that builds confidence with residents and insurers.
How Structures Made Easy Can Help
At Structures Made Easy, we make structural inspections simple and hassle-free by:
- Handling access requirements and advising what’s needed in advance.
- Using experienced Chartered Structural Engineers to carry out inspections.
- Identifying hidden risks and giving practical, actionable recommendations.
- Delivering BSR-ready Structural Safety Reports that integrate with your Golden Thread and Safety Case.
- Offering fast turnaround and portfolio pricing for asset managers with multiple HRBs.
With our expertise, you can be confident your inspection process will run smoothly and support full compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022.
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STEP 1
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STEP 2
Arrange site inspection
STEP 3
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