How the BSA is Changing Design Accountability
The Building Safety Act (BSA) represents one of the most significant shifts in UK construction regulation in decades. Born out of lessons from Grenfell, the Act fundamentally changes how accountability is defined and enforced across the built environment, particularly for those involved in design.
No longer can responsibility be passed along the chain; architects, designers, and duty holders are now required to demonstrate compliance through clearer processes, documentation, and sign-offs.
What the Building Safety Act Demands
The BSA introduces three Gateways for higher-risk buildings (HRBs), each designed to embed accountability early and throughout the project lifecycle:
Gateway 1 (Planning Stage)
Ensures fire safety is considered at planning.
Requires fire statements and risk assessments to be submitted.
Gateway 2 (Before Construction)
The “hard stop” construction cannot begin without approval from the Building Safety Regulator.
Demands a robust design review, golden thread of information, and clear demonstration of compliance with Building Regulations.
Gateway 3 (Completion & Handover)
No occupation without regulator sign-off.
Requires evidence that the completed building matches the approved design, with all QA documentation in place.
The Shift in Accountability
Historically, design teams could rely on general compliance statements and informal checks. Under the BSA:
Designers must prove their work complies, not assume building control will “catch issues.”
Duty Holders (client, principal designer, principal contractor) are legally accountable for safety and compliance.
Information management (the “Golden Thread”) is no longer optional, it must be digital, transparent, and up to date.
This means architects, engineers, and consultants must embed structured QA processes into their workflows to protect both projects and their own professional liability.
DraftCheck’s Role
At DraftCheck, we’ve developed BSA-aligned templates and QA tools to help design teams meet these new requirements without reinventing the wheel. Our resources include:
Gateway Review Checklists for HRB and non-HRB projects.
Fire Safety Outlines to support Gateway 1 submissions.
Golden Thread Compliance Trackers that align with ISO 19650 for digital records.
Sign-off and accountability forms for duty holders and project leads.
By using structured, editable templates, practices can demonstrate compliance more efficiently and reduce the risk of missed requirements.
Why It Matters
The Building Safety Act is more than just new regulation, it’s a cultural change. It places safety, transparency, and accountability at the heart of design.
For architects and consultants, this is an opportunity to strengthen client trust, improve workflows, and position practices as leaders in safe, compliant design.
Accountability in design is no longer optional — it is now a legal and professional requirement. By embracing structured QA and compliance tools, practices can not only meet the demands of the Building Safety Act but also set a new standard for quality and responsibility in the built environment.
👉 Explore DraftCheck’s BSA Gateway templates and QA templates and start building compliance into your projects from day one.