Start by identifying what the Building Safety Regulator is actually asking you to demonstrate, rather than immediately adding more information to the report.
The BSR will commonly give around seven days to respond to a Request for Information (RFI). That timescale is important. In many cases, the regulator is not expecting you to commission and complete a new intrusive survey or major investigation within seven days.
Some organisations may be able to obtain additional surveys or specialist information within the response period, but this will not always be practical or proportionate.
Where a genuine information or evidence gap exists, it may be sufficient to:
- acknowledge the gap clearly
- explain what is currently known
- explain the potential significance to building safety risk
- identify any existing controls or interim measures
- set out what further investigation, survey or assessment is proposed
- provide a realistic programme for completing it
- explain how the resulting findings will be assessed and acted upon
The important thing is to demonstrate that you understand the uncertainty and are managing it, rather than ignoring it or making an unsupported assertion.
For each RFI point, identify the underlying BSR assessment criterion, establish what your current safety case says and determine whether the problem is genuinely missing information or whether the information exists but has not been adequately explained.
Avoid responding by simply sending more documents. The objective is to answer the regulatory question clearly and demonstrate that the relevant risk is understood and managed.
Next step
Talk to us about reviewing your building safety case
Already have a report? We can look at the risk argument and the evidence behind it.
Find out moreRelated questions
- Does an RFI mean my safety case has failed?
No. An RFI is a request for further information or clarification. It does not necessarily mean the building is unsafe or that the safety case will be refused.
- The BSR says there is insufficient evidence. Do I need to commission another survey?
Not necessarily. First establish whether evidence is genuinely missing, or whether the safety case has simply failed to explain the evidence that already exists.
- What if I cannot close an information gap before the BSR response deadline?
Be transparent. A safety case does not become stronger by disguising uncertainty. Explain what is unknown, why it matters, what is known, current controls and the planned programme.
Building safety legislation, regulation and Building Safety Regulator guidance can change. This page is general information, not legal advice — always refer to current legislation and official guidance for your building.