In the world of construction, delays cost money and when it comes to Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), delays caused by unclear or incomplete submissions can have significant financial and legal consequences. Since the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) took charge of overseeing HRB projects in October 2023, the bar for compliance has been raised, and every project, from high-rise residential towers to hospitals, now faces far stricter scrutiny.

Unfortunately, as a recent report via Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on how the BSR requires detail to expedite HRB application process (https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/built-environment-journal/building-safety-regulator-higher-risk-buildings-application-process.html by Andrew Moore) shows, poor-quality submissions are stalling the approval process for many developers. With the BSR demanding clear, well-prepared compliance statements, it’s more important than ever to get your building control applications right the first time.

The problem? Poor-quality submissions are stalling the approval process, holding up construction, and leading to rejections that cost developers time and money. Developers and building owners are finding that without a well-prepared, clear, and detailed compliance statement, projects are grinding to a halt, with approval timelines dragging on longer than anticipated.

If you’re responsible for preparing building control applications, you know that getting it right the first time is critical. This guide is here to show you exactly how to streamline your submissions, avoid costly delays, and meet the BSR’s strict requirements with confidence.

At Operance, we’ve partnered with Safer Sphere, , an award-winning national construction health and safety, Building Safety Act and CDM consultancy, to develop a comprehensive, step-by-step Building Regulations Compliance Statement Template. It’s specifically designed to ensure your HRB applications meet the stringent standards set by the BSR, while simplifying the submission process.

Whether you’re working on a new development or a refurbishment project, our template guides you through the exact steps needed to provide the level of detail that’s often missing in applications. Here’s how it works and why it’s the solution you need to avoid costly delays.

1. Step-by-Step Guidance Aligned with BSR Requirements

Our template has been carefully crafted to align with the legal obligations set out by the BSR, particularly those outlined in The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023. It provides a comprehensive breakdown of every section you need to cover, ensuring no part of your submission is overlooked.

Additionally, the Building Regulations Compliance Statement (BRCS) is a key component of the Gateway 2 process, which is a critical stage in the approval of HRB projects. The BRCS must be submitted and approved by the BSR to gain certification before construction work can legally begin. Without an approved BRCS, your project cannot progress to the construction phase.

2. Predefined Government-Specific Terms for Instant Accuracy

One of the main challenges in preparing building control applications is navigating government-specific terminology. Our template comes preloaded with predefined terms, such as building types, purpose groups, and use categories, directly aligned with official government classifications.

This means you can quickly select the relevant terms for your project without the need to manually search or worry about misinterpretation, ensuring accuracy and saving valuable time.

3. Direct Access to Legislation and Official Guidance

Navigating the complex landscape of building regulations can be overwhelming. That’s why our template includes direct URLs to relevant legislation, official guidance, and Approved Documents. This feature gives you quick access to authoritative references, ensuring you stay compliant with the latest standards.

No more guessing or scrambling to find the right document, everything you need is available at your fingertips.

Streamlined Collaboration and Progress Tracking

4. Collaborative Workflows with Assignable Sections

In larger projects, multiple experts, from fire safety engineers to structural consultants, are involved in ensuring compliance. Our template allows you to assign specific sections of the compliance statement to the relevant responsible persons. This means your team can work on the same document simultaneously, streamlining collaboration and ensuring each part of the project is handled by the appropriate expert.

5. Progress Monitoring and Accountability

Each section of the compliance statement comes with its own progress percentage tracker, giving you a clear view of how much work has been completed and where the bottlenecks are. You can see who is responsible for specific sections and track how their progress contributes to the overall completion of the document. This transparency helps prevent delays and holds team members accountable.

6. Tailor-Made for Your Project

No two projects are alike, which is why our template is fully customizable. You can easily remove irrelevant sections, ensuring that the final compliance statement is laser-focused on your specific project requirements. This flexibility allows you to streamline the application process without compromising on the necessary detail.

Real-Time Gap Analysis and Export Capabilities

7. Dashboard Insights for Gap Analysis

Our template’s dashboard feature provides an immediate overview of your project’s current status, helping you conduct real-time gap analysis. It highlights any missing or incomplete sections, giving you the insight you need to address issues before they turn into delays.

This proactive approach to managing your application ensures you’re always one step ahead, identifying potential problems early and resolving them efficiently.

8. Easy Export for Submission

Once your compliance statement is complete, it’s ready to go. With our template, you can easily export the final document in a format that’s fully compatible with BSR submission requirements. No need for last-minute formatting changes, your document is submission-ready with just a few clicks.

Ensure Your Building Control Applications Are BSR-Ready

The introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and its oversight of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) has added a new layer of complexity to the construction approval process. Poor-quality submissions are no longer just a minor inconvenience, they’re causing major delays, project standstills, and in some cases, costly rejections. But the good news is that with the right approach, these issues can be avoided entirely.

The key to meeting BSR requirements is preparation and attention to detail. By focusing on:

• Clarity: Submitting clear, well-documented compliance statements that address all relevant Building Regulations.

• Accuracy: Ensuring your application includes up-to-date references to legislation, standards, and approved design codes.

• Collaboration: Working with the right stakeholders and assigning responsibility to experts in their respective areas of compliance.

You can avoid the common mistakes that cause delays and ensure your project stays on track.

Your Next Steps

1. Review your processes: Are your compliance statements as detailed and clear as they need to be? Consider how well-prepared your team is to handle the new demands of the BSR.

2. Work collaboratively: Make sure all relevant stakeholders, from fire safety engineers to structural experts, are engaged early and have the tools they need to contribute effectively.

3. Focus on compliance: Understanding and staying up-to-date with current legislation is essential. The BSR isn’t just looking for surface-level compliance, they need to see that every element of your project has been carefully considered against the latest standards.

The Bottom Line: The stakes have never been higher. Whether you’re working on a new residential development or a refurbishment, your building control applications need to be BSR-ready. The effort you put into preparing clear, compliant submissions upfront will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Need help streamlining your submissions? At Operance, we’ve developed tools to make the compliance process smoother and more efficient, ensuring you meet all BSR requirements the first time around. Whether you’re looking to simplify collaboration between your team or ensure accuracy with predefined terms and direct links to legislation, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for a demo and see how we can help you fast-track your building control approvals: https://www.operance.app/request-a-demo

Don’t let poor submissions hold you back. Take control of your application process with our Building Regulations Compliance Statement Template. Contact us today to learn more now!