Under the Building Safety Act, competency must be demonstrated in several key pillars to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of a building throughout its lifecycle. These competencies are both technical and behavioural in nature, requiring Principal Designers and Contractors (Dutyholders) to have a deep understanding of the building safety regulations, demonstrate knowledge through validation, and maintain ongoing compliance through revalidation and continuous learning.

The framework highlights validation, revalidation, competence levels, and maintenance of competence. Principal Designers and Contractors must meet these standards by demonstrating their qualifications, knowledge, and skills, and continue to meet evolving standards. We have developed, a purpose-built platform for managing building safety data, making it easier to demonstrate competence and maintain safety across projects.

Below, we break down each core competency area and outline what dutyholders must do to ensure they meet the new regulatory requirements.

Key Competence Areas for Dutyholders

The British Standard Institutions (BSI) 8670 standard sets out a clear framework for the competence required across the built environment. These core areas include:

1. Fire Safety: Ensuring that safety strategies, fire suppression, and evacuation systems are designed and maintained to handle potential risks throughout the building’s life.
2. Structural Safety: Designing and constructing buildings that can withstand environmental loads and maintain safety during use and emergencies.
3. Public Health and Safety: Managing factors such as water, ventilation, and sanitation to ensure the well-being of residents.
4. Managing Building Safety: Comprehensively managing risks during construction, occupation, and maintenance, ensuring the safety of all building users.

Each of these areas requires clear documentation, regular review, and strong communication between stakeholders to maintain the building’s safety throughout its lifecycle.

Framework for assessing Compliance

The Building Safety Act establishes a clear framework for assessing the competence of those responsible for ensuring the safety and compliance of buildings throughout their lifecycle. This framework is designed to ensure that dutyholders possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and qualifications to manage safety risks effectively and in accordance with evolving regulations.

At its core, the framework covers several key elements: validation, prior learning, competence levels, revalidation, and ongoing competence maintenance. These components work together to ensure that dutyholders not only meet the required competence at the start of a project but continue to maintain it throughout their roles.

• Prior learning ensures that those entering roles have the relevant background or qualifications.
• Competence levels define the standards and expectations for different roles, helping to ensure consistency in safety and regulatory compliance.
• Validation assesses whether individuals have the necessary qualifications and experience to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Revalidation guarantees that dutyholders stay up-to-date with industry changes, technology advancements, and regulatory updates.
• Ongoing competence maintains the currency of an individual’s qualifications and performance throughout their career.

1. Fire Safety Competence

Competence Levels and Standards:

Dutyholders must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of fire safety systems, including fire suppression, evacuation strategies, and fire risk assessments. Meeting specific competence levels ensures professionals can design, implement, and monitor fire safety protocols effectively throughout the building lifecycle.

“Continuous education and revalidation ensure professionals are aware of the latest fire safety regulations and building requirements, including those specified under the Building Safety Act”

What Dutyholders Must Do:

• Validation: Fire safety competence should be validated through certifications from recognised bodies or third-party accreditation.
• Revalidation: Dutyholders must regularly revalidate their fire safety knowledge, ensuring it stays up to date with changes in regulations and safety standards.
• Competence Levels: Dutyholders must prove their ability to meet the required competence levels, which are determined by national fire safety standards.
• Prior Learning: Formal qualifications in fire safety and relevant practical experience are required.

What the Legislation Requires:

The Building Safety Act ensures that fire safety competencies are continuously assessed to mitigate fire risks and ensure occupant safety.

2. Structural Safety Competence

Competence Levels and Standards:

Dutyholders must have the necessary competence to design and manage structural systems that adhere to building codes. This includes ensuring buildings can withstand environmental loads and external stresses throughout their lifecycle. Competency is assessed based on technical knowledge, experience, and an understanding of structural engineering principles.

“Sector-specific competence frameworks should set out: general areas of competence and specific competencies; any differing levels or standard of competence which are to be met.”

What Dutyholders Must Do:

• Validation: Structural competence is validated through qualifications, such as engineering degrees, and certifications in structural safety management.
• Revalidation: Ongoing education ensures dutyholders stay updated on new materials, construction techniques, and safety regulations.
• Competence Levels: Structural safety competence levels are assessed against national building codes and safety standards to ensure designs meet necessary strength and safety criteria.
• Prior Learning: Prior experience in high-risk building projects is essential for structural safety.

What the Legislation Requires:

The BSR emphasises the importance of validated competency in structural safety to prevent failure and ensure that building designs are capable of handling real-world stresses and risks.

3. Public Health and Safety Competence

Competence Levels and Standards:

Public health and safety competence includes ventilation, water systems, sanitation, and air quality. Dutyholders must demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and maintain these systems to ensure the health and safety of building occupants.

What Dutyholders Must Do:

• Validation: Validate competence through certifications in plumbing, HVAC systems, and public health safety protocols.
• Revalidation: Revalidate knowledge of public health regulations and maintenance standards to ensure ongoing safety and compliance.
• Competence Levels: Public health systems must meet predefined competence levels for safety, performance, and compliance with building codes.
• Prior Learning: Relevant experience in health systems design and maintenance is critical.

What the Legislation Requires:

The Building Safety Act requires that those managing public health systems are adequately trained to prevent risks related to health hazards, such as waterborne diseases, poor air quality, and unsafe sanitation practices.

4. Managing Building Safety Throughout the Lifecycle

Competence Levels and Standards:

Dutyholders must demonstrate the ability to manage building safety from the design phase to operation and maintenance. This includes ensuring the safety of all building users during operation, maintenance, and modifications.

“Sector-specific competence frameworks should set out the requirements for individuals to maintain and develop the currency of their competence for the role, function, or task they undertake.”

What Dutyholders Must Do:

• Validation: Safety management systems and lifecycle management must be validated through safety audits and certifications.
• Revalidation: Continuous revalidation ensures that safety protocols are updated as regulations evolve.
• Competence Levels: Dutyholders must demonstrate competence in safety management throughout all phases of the building’s lifecycle.
• Prior Learning: Experience in building safety management across construction, operation, and maintenance is required.

What the Legislation Requires:

The BSR ensures dutyholders can manage building safety effectively, addressing safety risks throughout the lifecycle from design to decommissioning.

5. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and Competence Maintenance

Competence Levels and Standards:

Continuous professional development (CPD) is crucial for maintaining competence. The BSR requires that dutyholders engage in regular learning to stay updated on building safety regulations, techniques, and innovations.

“Sector-specific competence frameworks should set out procedures for monitoring of competence and for sanctioning failure to meet requirements to maintain, record, or disclose CPD or other activities to maintain competence.”

What Dutyholders Must Do:

• Validation: Ensure all CPD activities are recognised and validated through industry bodies and training organisations.
• Revalidation: Ensure revalidation happens periodically, especially as standards evolve.
• Competence Levels: Dutyholders must meet defined CPD standards for building safety competence.
• Prior Learning: Record past learning activities and contributions to CPD programs.

What the Legislation Requires:

The Building Safety Act requires that dutyholders stay up to date with evolving standards and demonstrate their engagement with professional development through documented CPD records.

Supporting Competence

In order to comply with the Building Safety Act and demonstrate competency, dutyholders must not only meet technical qualifications but also maintain ongoing competence through regular revalidation, training, and documentation of compliance. Our platform provides a robust platform that enables dutyholders to track, document, and manage compliance across all key safety areas—whether it’s fire safety, structural integrity, public health, or lifecycle safety management.

By offering a centralised, digital record of all relevant data, we ensure that dutyholders can prove competence at every stage of a project. Whether you’re managing building safety during construction or ensuring long-term compliance during operation, we support you in maintaining a compliant, safe, and well-documented building.

Ready to see how we can streamline your compliance and safety management? Contact us today for a demo.