A safety case report that does not adequately demonstrate how building safety risks are being managed may lead to requests for further information or contribute to a Building Assessment Certificate application being refused.
The appropriate response is not necessarily to make the report longer. It is important to understand the underlying concern and strengthen the relevant risk argument, evidence or management arrangements.
The objective should be to improve the management and demonstration of building safety risk, rather than simply satisfy a documentation exercise.
In practice, the Building Safety Regulator has a range of responses available before and instead of outright refusal, and each carries its own timescale:
- Requests for further information (RFIs), where you may be given as little as 7 days to respond. - A Prompt Remedy Notice (PRN), typically with a deadline of around 3 weeks to put the identified issue right. - A requirement to resubmit the whole safety case report as a priority.
These timescales are short, which is why the underlying information needs to be organised, current and readily accessible before an application is made. Organisations that hold their safety case as a live, structured set of arguments and evidence can respond quickly. Those relying on static documents often spend the available time searching for evidence rather than addressing the regulator's concern.
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
- What are the most common weaknesses in building safety case reports?
The most common weakness is treating the safety case as a compliance report rather than a risk management argument.
- What does the Building Safety Regulator expect from a safety case report?
A safety case report should provide a clear and proportionate explanation of the building safety risks and how they are being managed.
- Can Cascade help if we already have a safety case report?
Yes. You do not need to start your safety case again simply because it was originally produced in Word or by an external consultant.
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.