Video transcript: Getting building control applications right

Hello, I’m Jane Carroll, Regulatory Manager at the Building Safety Regulator. Today, I want to show you what a high-quality building control submission looks like – and how to make sure yours is fully compliant and ready for review. Since October 2023, the Building Safety Regulator has been responsible for building control on higher-risk buildings in England. Safety, quality, and accountability have never been more important and that means complying to the new, robust building safety regime.

So what separates a strong building control application from one that stalls? It’s all about a shift in mindset: from simply declaring compliance to clearly demonstrating it. In the past, it was common to list building regulations and attach bundles of reports – often with little explanation. But now, it’s not just about what you include. It’s about how clearly you show how your design meets the rules. It’s not enough to submit documents – you need to explain how they demonstrate compliance.

Start with the essentials

Highlight the key elements that fall under the Building Regulations – structure, fire safety, cladding, evacuation routes. Then explain your thinking. For instance, if you include cladding, show how it’s fixed, what load it carries, and how the building supports that load safely. Make it easy for the reviewer to follow your logic. That’s what moves an application forward.

When you reference a standard or code – explain why you chose it, how it applies to your design, and what it achieves. Keep the language clear and to the point. Think of it like explaining your work to a colleague. Your submission should be just as clear.

Now, bring it all together. Tell the story of how your design meets the regulations – not just with documents, but with a clear, structured explanatory narrative. What decisions did you make? Why? And how do they deliver compliance? If someone unfamiliar with the project can read your submission and understand it – without digging through hundreds of pages – you’re on the right track.

This isn’t about red tape. It’s about raising standards and taking ownership of the safety decisions that shape our built environment. A good application is clear. It’s thoughtful. And it connects your design directly to the regulations. That’s what good looks like. And it benefits everyone – you, your client, the regulator. And most importantly, the people who will live and work in these buildings.

Thanks for watching.