Firefighters at the Helm: A Step Forward or Sign of Trouble for Building Safety Regulation?
Published: 08/07/2025
The government’s recent decision to overhaul the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is long overdue.
Delays, vague guidance, and a lack of technical understanding have stalled façade remediation projects and high-rise developments across the UK. For those of us working directly with building owners, developers, and residents, the current system has become more of a roadblock than a safeguard.
Now, with over 100 new staff promised, a new fast-track process for newbuild applications, and new leadership brought in from the London Fire Brigade, the BSR is being restructured. The intention is to fix the backlog, reduce delays, and restore some much-needed confidence.
Harris Associates supports these changes, but let’s be clear: this shake-up is a response to a system that hasn’t delivered.
The BSR Has Been Part of the Problem
The BSR was introduced after Grenfell to raise standards and centralise responsibility for building safety. But too often, it has created confusion, delays, and extra cost.
We’ve seen detailed, competent fire risk assessments and façade remediation strategies stall in the system for months, without clear reasons or meaningful feedback. We are currently looking at a 50-week backlog on some of the HRBs (High-Risk Buildings). Meanwhile, residents remain in buildings they cannot sell, insure, or feel safe in. Safety isn’t served by indecision, and progress isn’t made by bureaucracy.
Are Firefighters the Fix or a Last Resort?
The appointment of senior fire professionals, Andy Roe as chair and Charlie Pugsley as chief executive, has two sides.
On the positive side, it’s good to see leadership with direct, operational fire safety experience. These are people who understand the risks and the stakes. Their involvement could bring a stronger, more grounded approach to what has become an overly cautious and inconsistent regulator.
But let’s not ignore what this move really signals: the system has lost credibility. Bringing in firefighters to fix a regulator that was supposed to be led by building control and health & safety professionals shows just how broken things have become. It feels like a last resort.
The core problem isn't just leadership. It's the disconnect between the BSR and the technical experts, engineers, surveyors, and façade specialists who actually do the work of assessing and mitigating risk.
What Needs to Change
We also want to see a proper rethink of how the proposed new construction regulator is structured. If product testing and certification stay in fragmented private hands, as the government currently intends, then the systemic risks exposed by Grenfell won’t truly be addressed.
Here’s what we believe must happen:
If the regulator is going to support safe, timely remediation and development, it must:
- Expand capacity – Over 100 new staff are being added. This must translate into faster turnaround times.
- Implement fast-track routes – Low-risk, straightforward applications should be cleared quickly to free up resources.
- Issue clearer technical guidance – Especially on façades, materials, and life safety thresholds.
- Trust competent professionals – Qualified engineers, surveyors, and fire experts already produce compliant FRAEWs and supporting documentation. These should not be routinely second-guessed.
- Streamline processes – Digital submission systems, live tracking, and transparent turnaround metrics will reduce admin and delays.
- Coordinate better – Aligning with local authorities and fire services through a single, joined-up process would cut unnecessary friction.
How Harris Associates Can Help
This shake-up is a chance to reset. But it must be more than a PR exercise or a change of faces. The regulator needs to work with those on the ground who are already solving complex fire safety issues every day.
If you're dealing with stalled projects, unclear BSR feedback, or need support navigating façade safety requirements, GET IN TOUCH. Harris Associates consists of chartered engineers, chartered surveyors, fire experts, and remediation specialists who know how to keep projects moving and buildings safe.
The new BSR guidelines represent a significant shift toward greater consistency and accountability in higher-risk building projects. Navigating the process requires specialist knowledge and a coordinated approach. Our dedicated team of statutory compliance experts will ensure that your project meets regulatory requirements.
For building owners and managers, collaborating with an experienced consultancy like Harris Associates can streamline the BSR application process to help safeguard your investments and enable your projects to proceed more smoothly under the new guidelines.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your project and manage the building control application process on your behalf. For further information or to schedule a consultation, please GET IN TOUCH .