The Building Safety Act and Specification Writing

The Building Safety Act has brought some of the biggest changes we’ve seen in years. It’s mainly aimed at high-risk buildings, but the ripple effect is felt across the construction industry. If you’re involved in specification writing, this isn’t something you can afford to overlook.

Why It Matters for Specification Writers

A specification isn’t just a tick-box document — it sets the standard for quality, safety, and compliance on site. With the new rules, duty holders (like clients, designers, and contractors) now carry clearer responsibilities.

Here’s the challenge: how can they meet those responsibilities if the spec is vague? The answer is simple — they can’t. That’s why clarity in specifications has become more important than ever.

Also Read: Understanding Uniclass and Its Role in Specification Writing

Who Are the Duty Holders?

The Act strengthens some familiar roles and introduces new ones:

• Client – makes sure competent people are in place.

• Principal Designer – manages safety during the design stage.

• Principal Contractor – oversees safety on site.

• Accountable Person (AP) and Principal Accountable Person (PAP) – new roles with legal duties for high-risk residential buildings.

For specifiers, this means documents need to clearly spell out what’s required, so each role can do its job without confusion.

The “Gateway” Checkpoints

The Act sets out three “gateways” — think of them as checkpoints in the project:

1. Planning stage

2. Building control approval

3. Completion and handover

At each step, the specification carries weight. If late changes creep in — for example, switching materials without proper approval — projects risk extra cost, delays, or worse, safety issues.

The Golden Thread of Information

You’ve probably heard this term by now. The Golden Thread means keeping accurate, up-to-date information from the very start of a project right through to occupation.

At design approval (Gateway Two), details like fire safety strategies and compliance records need to be clear. By the time you reach Gateway Three, the evidence must show that the finished building matches the approved plans.

For specifiers, this calls for a “living” document — one that captures changes, approvals, and key decisions along the way.

What This Means in Practice

• Specs should highlight fire performance and compliance early on.

• Every change, however small, must be logged.

• Don’t just write static text — make the spec an active tool that supports decision-making.

By doing this, the specification itself becomes part of the Golden Thread.

Final Thoughts

The Building Safety Act isn’t just another regulation to tick off. It’s about raising standards and proving accountability. For those writing specifications, it’s a chance to shift from “just paperwork” to a central role in building safety.

Read this Blog: The Evolution of Spec Writing in the Architecture Industry