International Building Safety Month 2025

The International Code Council creates building codes that ensure safety, sustainability and resilience in the built environment. These codes, known as I-Codes, are followed in around 2 billion buildings worldwide.

While the ICC impacts building practices globally, its influence doesn’t extend directly to the UK. Here, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) sets construction standards and works with the industry and the public to make buildings safer.

The BSR is a relatively new organisation in the UK. It was formed after the passing of the Building Safety Act 2022, which was a direct response to the Grenfell tragedy. The BSR’s stated aims are to:

• Make residents feel safe in their homes
• Restore confidence in the standards and safety of all buildings
• Drive positive cultural change in the built environment industry

Although the BSR’s origins are different, their principles are in step with the ICC’s. ICC standards also inspire safety measures worldwide, including those that affect international architecture and engineering. As a result, their work does indirectly affect the UK construction industry.

Building Safety Month 2025 takes place throughout May. This year’s theme is “Game On.” It calls on individuals, organisations and communities to take proactive steps to understand and improve building safety.

The campaign is structured around five key weekly topics:

• The Warm-Up: Understanding Building Safety
• Building Your Offence: Community Engagement
• Strengthen Your Defence: Safer Homes and Workplaces
• Meet the Team: Recognising Building Safety Professionals
• Overtime: Exploring Future Challenges and Opportunities

While the theming is unquestionably American, the core concepts are still relevant to the UK. Each week supports the message that building safety is a shared responsibility that requires knowledge, action and continuous attention.

Building safety starts with an understanding of building safety risks and the systems in place to manage them. Compliance with regulations, good design, proper construction and regular maintenance all help prevent accidents and reduce risks such as fire, structural failure and unsafe access.

In the UK, the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Building Regulations 2010 place legal duties on those who design, build and manage properties. Duty holders must ensure risks are identified, assessed and controlled as part of day-to-day building management.

The Golden Thread of Information is a critical part of this overarching duty. Building owners must maintain accurate, up-to-date digital records of a building’s design, construction and safety management over its life.

Understanding these requirements is essential for creating environments where people feel safe. The first week of the campaign encourages individuals and organisations to revisit the basics and ensure that buildings meet both legal obligations and best practice standards.

This week promotes proactive engagement with building management and local safety initiatives.

Residents, tenants, building managers and owners are encouraged to:

• Attend resident engagement meetings
• Review building safety information provided by owners and landlords
• Report concerns about maintenance or safety standards

The Building Safety Regulator requires accountable persons for higher-risk buildings to create safety case reports and engage meaningfully with residents about safety risks and mitigation measures.

Mandatory occurrence reporting (MOR) is also now in effect. Principal Accountable Persons must report certain safety incidents to the BSR to ensure that risks are properly recorded and managed.

Speaking up and participating in safety discussions supports a more informed and resilient community.

Reducing risks at home and in the workplace helps prevent incidents. This week focuses on practical actions that protect people from common hazards.

Basic safety measures include:

• Installing smoke alarms throughout a property and testing them regularly
• Keeping escape routes clear and well-lit
• Using competent professionals for electrical, structural and fire safety work

Simple maintenance tasks, such as clearing flammable materials from around buildings, also form part of a strong defence. There are also legal requirements to regularly inspect fire doors and ensure emergency lighting works correctly.

Building safety depends on a range of skilled professionals who ensure that design, construction and maintenance meet appropriate standards.

In the UK, key building safety professionals include:

• Building Control Surveyors
• Approved Inspectors
• Fire Safety Inspectors
• Structural Engineers

Under the Building Safety Act 2022, building control professionals must demonstrate their competence against national standards, including independent assessments set under the Building Inspector Competence Framework (BICoF). Building inspectors must also register with the BSR to practice legally.

All professionals have a responsibility to maintain and develop their skills, especially as construction methods and regulations evolve. By staying informed, they can ensure that new buildings are designed and constructed to current safety standards – and that existing buildings are reviewed and updated to remain compliant.

The final week highlights the emerging trends and technologies that will shape future building safety.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being explored as a tool to support building inspections, monitor structures in real-time and assist decision-making. Modern methods of construction (MMC), such as modular building, are offering faster and more efficient ways to deliver new homes when properly regulated.

Climate change presents further challenges, with rising risks from flooding, overheating and severe weather events. The UK’s Future Homes and Buildings Standards will introduce stricter energy efficiency and resilience requirements starting from 2025.

The sector is also seeing stronger enforcement. The Building Safety Regulator now has the power to issue compliance notices, stop notices and pursue enforcement action where building safety risks are not properly managed.

Continuous improvement is essential to ensure that regulation and practice keep pace with these challenges.

Although Building Safety Month runs through May, maintaining safety must be a year-round priority.

Duty holders and organisations must:

• Monitor changes in legislation and guidance
• Review and update risk assessments regularly
• Train staff in building safety practices and verify contractors’ competency
• Inspect and maintain fire safety systems, structural elements and access routes
• Keep accurate, up-to-date building information in the “Golden Thread”

Strong building safety standards rely on the right knowledge and skills. Our Construction Training courses help duty holders, building managers and industry professionals meet legal requirements and manage risks effectively. Training focuses on the practical steps needed to oversee building safety, manage responsibilities and maintain compliance across a building’s life cycle.

All courses are recognised by third parties and aligned with current legislation and industry standards. Whether you manage residential, commercial or mixed-use properties, training will help you meet your legal obligations, protect your property and avoid enforcement action.