Implementing Building Safety

Support at Every Turn

Overview

The Implementing Building Safety Degree is a three‑year programme designed to develop technical, legal, and organisational leadership capability across the full lifecycle of buildings.

It moves beyond operational management into implementation of building safety systems across complex buildings, projects, and portfolios.

The programme reflects the reality that modern building safety requires:

Integration of design, construction, and occupation
Deep understanding of system failure mechanisms
Ability to challenge evidence and decisions
Capability to defend outcomes under regulatory and legal scrutiny

It is a technical course for professionals that have responsibility for day to day management of complex and Higher Risk Buildings.

Developed for Built Environment Dutyholders

Course Philosophy

Building safety is the outcome of competent decisions applied consistently throughout the life of the building. Buildings are designed with intended functions, not guaranteed performance. Safety is not achieved through compliance, documentation, or intent. Where competence, skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours is absent or not applied, risk is introduced, transferred, and embedded within the building.

The course reflects the requirements of the Building Safety Act, and the reality of managing Higher‑Risk and complex buildings, where safety depends on:

Competent interpretation of design intent
Correct installation and verification of systems
Ongoing inspection, maintenance, and intervention
Accurate and accessible information
Decision‑making supported by evidence

The aim of the programme is to support and develops professionals capable of managing and operating building safety systems in practice, and demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations and Fire Safety law through evidence.

Building safety is the outcome of competent decisions applied consistently throughout the life of the building. Buildings are required to be designed with intended functions, not guaranteed performance. Safety is not achieved through compliance, documentation, or intent. Where competence skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours is absent or not applied, risk is introduced, transferred, and embedded within the building.

This reflects the requirements of the Building Safety Act, and the reality of managing Higher‑Risk and complex buildings, where safety depends on:

Interpretation of design intent

Correct installation and verification of systems

Appropriate management of contract works

Ongoing inspection, maintenance, and intervention

Accurate and accessible Golden Thread information

Decision‑making supported by evidence

The programme seeks to develops professionals capable of implementing and operating building safety systems in practice, and demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations and Fire Safety law through evidence.

Course Structure

The course is typically delivered over two intensive five day weeks. It is structured around strategic themes with an overview of operational requirements.

Programme Structure

The Degree is structured across three years, reflecting the life of the building:

Year 1 → Develop and in depth understanding of the legal background to the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations and Fire Safety legislation. An understanding of building design and build standards and the causes of fire and structural failure, and safety critical elements.
Year 2 → Understanding building safety management systems, fire and structural risk management and the role and performance of life safety equipment and systems.
Year 3 → Implementation, operation, monitoring and review of performance. Evidencing building safety and developing a safety case. Managing construction work in accordance with Building Regulations and BSR Gateway process requirements. Resident engagement strategies, emergency response plans, engagement with BSR and FRS and return to service requirements and risk mitigation strategies where safety issues are identified.

Year 1 – Buildings, Systems, and Failure

To establish a holistic understanding of building safety grounded in function, failure, and legal duties. Participants should be able to understand how buildings function, and how failure develops when competence, co-ordination, or control is absent.

Module 1: Building Safety Framework

Building Safety Act
Building Regulations
Fire Safety legislation
Higher‑Risk Buildings (HRBs)
Dutyholders and accountability

Module 2: Legal Duties and Compliance

Statutory obligations
Dutyholder responsibilities
Competence requirements
Criminal and civil liability

Module 3: Structural Systems – Function

Load paths and stability
Structural forms
Material behaviour
Limits of design assumptions

Module 4: Fire Safety Systems – Function

Fire development
Fire strategies
Passive protection principles
Active system roles

Module 5: Building Systems and Services

Electrical systems
HVAC systems
Water and riser systems
Life safety dependencies

Module 6: Failure in Buildings

Structural failure
Fire spread and system failure
Façade and material failure
Competence-related failure

Year 2 – System Performance and Risk

To develop the ability to interpret system performance in practice, and identify where risk exists. Students should be able to assess whether systems are performing as intended and identify where risks are present, developing, or uncontrolled.

Module 7: Structural Risk and Degradation

Corrosion
Material deterioration
Movement and distress
Inspection and monitoring

Module 8: Passive Fire Protection

Compartmentation
Fire stopping
Fire doors
Inspection and defects

Module 9: Active Fire Systems

Detection and alarm
Smoke control
Suppression systems
System reliability

Module 10: Building Services and Safety

Electrical risk
HVAC and smoke interaction
Water systems
System dependencies

Module 11: System Interaction

Interdependency of systems
Failure cascades
Multi-system impact
Real-world failure scenarios

Module 12: Inspection and Verification

Inspection regimes
Maintenance strategies
Competence in inspection
Verifying performance

Year 3 – Implementation, Operation, and Compliance

To develop the capability to implement, operate, and evidence building safety systems.

Module 13: Building Safety Management Systems

Structure of BSMS
Governance and accountability
Risk control processes
Contractor management

Module 14: Information and the Golden Thread

Information requirements
Data integrity
Record keeping
Evidence of compliance

Module 15: Safety Case

Hazard identification
Risk analysis
Control measures
Demonstrating compliance

Module 16: Emergency Planning

Evacuation strategies
System performance in fire
Resident considerations
Fire service interface

Module 17: Resident and Stakeholder Management

Communication
Risk awareness
Complaints and escalation
Decision transparency

Module 18: Regulatory Interaction

Building Safety Regulator
Fire Authority
Inspection and enforcement
Responding to challenge

Module 19: Competence and Leadership

Competence frameworks
Organisational capability
Decision-making
Accountability and behaviour

Module 20: Applied Project (Dissertation)

Participants should be able to:

evaluate a building or system
identify risks
assess system performance
implement control measures
demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations and Fire Safety law

Year 3 Outcome

Participants can implement and operate building safety systems across Higher‑Risk and complex buildings, ensuring that risks are understood, controlled, and evidenced in compliance with Building Regulations and Fire Safety legislation.

Assessment Approach

Assessment is based on:

technical evaluation
system analysis
inspection review
failure analysis
Safety Case development
applied project work