Two industry bodies have published guidance to help construction professionals navigate Building Regulations and Building Safety Act compliance requirements.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has released a free guide aimed at clients commissioning building work on behalf of a business, public body, charity or other non-domestic organisation. It sets out a client’s legal duties under the Building Safety Act 2022 and helps identify which projects are, and are not, subject to Building Regulations.
The guide includes a checklist clients are recommended to follow ahead of each project, covering checks on the competence of experts, confirmation of processes for managing compliance and whether a project is categorised as a high-risk building.
Ayo Allu, chair of CIOB’s Client Steering Group, said: “As a client your role is no longer simply to commission construction work. You should help ensure it is properly planned, managed and delivered in compliance with the Building Regulations, keeping in mind the decisions you make before and during the project influence safety, quality and compliance.
“You are not expected to be a technical expert. However, you are expected to make informed decisions, appoint competent people, provide necessary information to your contractor and estate manager, maintain records and remain engaged throughout the project.
“It is not uncommon for projects to be derailed when clients are unaware of the level of involvement they need to have and only realise when it’s too late. By empowering clients to make good decisions from the outset and fulfil their legal obligations, their relationships with their contractors are likely to be easier and their projects more successful.”
Separately, BSRIA has published BG 92/2026 Building Regulations, a guide for building services engineers, designers and contractors. It brings together the 24 Approved Documents that support Building Regulations, covering Parts A to T and the legislative differences across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The guide sets out upcoming changes, including under the new Part L, which will prohibit gas boilers in new homes – heat pumps and heat networks will become standard, and PV panels will be required in most new dwellings. It also covers recent changes to Part B, including guidance on evacuation alerts and indicating equipment in new blocks of flats over 18 metres; guidance on providing a second escape stair in such buildings takes effect from September 2026.
BG 92/2026 also addresses the Building Safety Act 2022, including its three gateway stages, duty-holder responsibilities and the golden thread of building information, along with the revised Approved Document F, which begins to take effect in 2027. It covers new airflow testing and UKAS calibration rules, Part O overheating requirements, Part S electric vehicle charging provisions and Part T single-sex toilet accommodation rules introduced in 2024.
David Bleicher, publications manager at BSRIA, said: “Building Regulations changes this year are stacking up in a way that makes it harder to manage than usual. Our BG 92/2026 guide provides a clear account of how Building Regulations work, outlines key requirements and guidance, and signposts to government websites and documents with the details. It’s essential for anyone working in the built environment.”
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