Tennyson Suite Steps into Principal Designer Role Under BSA

         

The tragic 2017 Grenfell Tower fire prompted significant changes in building safety regulations in the UK, leading to the amendment of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 1984 to the now BSA 2022. Following the incident, the government commissioned an independent review, led by Dame Judith Hackitt, which highlighted the need for a clear and reliable system of safety information known as the Golden Thread. This concept emphasises that safety information must be properly stored, accessible, and updated throughout the lifecycle of a building. Learn more about the Golden Thread here: The Golden Threads of Information 

For projects that involve more than one contractor, the BSA requires the client to appoint both a Principal Designer (PD) and a Principal Contractor (PC) to oversee different aspects of the project’s safety.

Principal Designer (PD) Responsibilities

The PD ensures building safety during the design phase by:

• Planning & Coordination: Overseeing design work to comply with regulations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring designers meet their legal duties.
• Collaboration: Sharing information with the Principal Contractor (PC).
• Communication: Communication and coordination between all parties.

For High-Risk Buildings (HRBs), the PD must establish:

• MOR System: Manages safety incident reporting to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
• Golden Thread: Stores and shares key safety information.
• Competence: Verifies designers' qualifications.
• Change Control Plan: Ensures regulatory compliance for all design changes while maintaining the Golden Thread of safety information throughout the design and construction phases.

Tennyson Suite Limited as Principal Designer

Since April 2024, the team at Tennyson Suite Ltd has been fulfilling the role of Principal Designer under the BSA. Our team has the expertise and competence to manage projects involving both non-HRB and HRB buildings. With extensive experience in both areas, we are continuously expanding our teams and upskilling to stay ahead of industry changes.