POLICY | HYWEL DAVIES works and transitional arrangements for moving to the new regime. Building control approval will apply to individual buildings and lapse after three years unless work is started. Commencement will be defined in regulations and require more to be done on a building for it to be considered started, making it harder for new projects to be pushed through under the old system. Those tempted to rush ahead with an HRB before the start of the Gateways should read the second consultation. Existing higher risk buildings The second consultation is on the new requirements for operation and occupation of HRBs, including the new safety case regime. Anyone or an organisation that works in HRBs doing building work, design work or managing work needs to be conversant with this. Those managing higher-risk buildings should be fully aware of the new regulatory regime: it will apply to them. In particular, they should know that the new regime covers every single HRB in England, whenever built. Rushing a new HRB now may avoid the new Regulator during construction, but they may be all over the building when the owner seeks a certificate to occupy. If they do not think the building is fully compliant with the requirements, that certificate may not be forthcoming. A rush to build may prove a costly error. The way in which all of these provisions are implemented in secondary legislation has the potential to shape the industry and the role of professionals and their professional bodies for many years to come. These regulations will have significant implications for professional practices and for contracting, manufacturing and those who own, operate, manage and maintain buildings. It should now be glaringly obvious that significant change is coming. And for those who may say that they need more time to prepare, there is likely to be little sympathy: there has been more than five years of work since the Grenfell tragedy with a constant message that there must be serious change. These consultations seek views on the current proposals. While the overall direction is set by the act, much detail is still being refined. This window of opportunity for constructive feedback to government to influence the new regime closes in early October. Journal readers are encouraged to contribute to the CIBSE response, view the consultations at bit.ly/CJSep22HD and send comments to technical@cibse.org by the end of September. CA R E LIFETIME SUPPORT Rely on us for Lifetime Support, from design and specification through to manufacture and aftercare. Our technical team provide a broad and collaborative service during and after installation. We care that you get the right support. So find out more at Cranefs.com/solutions 21400_CRANE_FS_CARE_AD_133X186.indd 1 14/02/2022 13:35 20 September 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Sept 22 pp18-20 Hywel.indd 20 26/08/2022 18:28