Polling conducted at CIBSE’s recent Building Safety 2026: Delivering Safer Buildings in Practice conference has highlighted the continued impact of building safety reform across the built environment, as well as the areas where professionals are seeking further guidance, training and support.
The conference brought together engineers, designers, building owners, facilities professionals, regulators and other built environment experts in London to explore what the next phase of building safety reform means for those responsible for buildings and the people who use them.
The polling provided an insight into delegates’ experiences of the Building Safety Act (BSA) and Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) regime, highlighting both growing confidence in understanding the requirements and practical challenges in their implementation.
The Building Safety Act is having a direct impact on building services engineers' roles. Almost three quarters (73%) of respondents said they were currently involved in a project that was a Higher-Risk Building or interacted with Building Safety Act requirements.
The findings also indicated a relatively high level of confidence among respondents, with 85% saying they felt confident in their understanding of the Building Safety Act and its stated roles and responsibilities.
However, 15% said they were not very confident, highlighting the continued need for accessible guidance, training and opportunities to strengthen understanding across the profession.
HRB building control process identified as a key challenge (for England)
Respondents highlighted a range of challenges associated with implementing building safety requirements, including competency requirements, unclear roles and responsibilities, costs, time pressures and understanding of the legislation. The single biggest challenge identified, however, was delays to projects associated with the 'Gateway' process for HRBs. The findings reflect the practical challenges professionals face as the new HRB regime moves from legislation and policy into implementation. Understanding how requirements operate in practice, and how different stakeholders can effectively fulfil their responsibilities, remains an important part of delivering safer buildings.
Training, guidance and knowledge-sharing remain vital to upskilling
The polling also highlighted an opportunity to strengthen industry guidance and professional development. While 85% of respondents expressed confidence in their understanding of the BSA, only 64% said they had undertaken CPD or internal company training on Building Safety Act requirements during the previous year.
When asked how CIBSE could provide further support, respondents identified technical guidance, training, and opportunities to share best practice as the main areas where they would value additional support.
These findings reinforce the importance of continuing to build knowledge and competence across the profession as building safety reform develops.
