Safety Case Report Guide
Step-by-step guidance on creating, maintaining, and submitting effective Safety Case Reports for Higher-Risk Buildings.
What is a Safety Case Report?
A Safety Case Report (SCR) is a mandatory document required by the Building Safety Act 2022 for all Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) in England. It identifies a building's major fire and structural hazards and demonstrates how these risks are being managed.
The Principal Accountable Person (PAP) must prepare and maintain a Safety Case Report for each HRB, and submit it to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as part of the Building Assessment Certificate application process.
Key Components of a Safety Case Report
A comprehensive Safety Case Report should include these essential elements
Building Information
Comprehensive details about the building, including construction methods, materials, height, number of floors, residential units, and building systems such as fire alarms and sprinklers.
Risk Assessment
Identification and assessment of all potential fire and structural hazards, analysis of likelihood and consequences, evaluation of existing control measures, and determination if risks are being managed SFARP (So Far As Reasonably Practicable).
Safety Management System
Details of the systems and processes in place to manage building safety, including roles and responsibilities, maintenance schedules, emergency procedures, training requirements, and change management processes.
Golden Thread Information
References to the Golden Thread information that supports the Safety Case Report, including design documentation, fire strategy, structural assessments, maintenance records, and inspection certificates.
Resident Engagement
Description of how residents are engaged in building safety matters, including communication methods, how concerns are addressed, information provided to residents, and resident responsibilities.
Continuous Improvement Plan
Details of planned improvements to building safety, timelines for implementation, and how these improvements will address identified risks. This demonstrates a proactive approach to safety management.
Creating Your Safety Case Report: Step-by-Step
Follow this systematic approach to develop a comprehensive Safety Case Report
1Assemble Your Team
Create a cross-functional team with expertise in building management, fire safety, structural engineering, and resident engagement. Consider involving external specialists for complex aspects.
2Gather Building Information
Collect comprehensive information about your building, including original design documents, as-built drawings, refurbishment records, fire strategy documents, and maintenance history.
- Building height, number of floors, and residential units
- Construction methods and materials
- Fire safety systems (alarms, sprinklers, smoke control)
- Structural assessment reports
- Maintenance records and inspection certificates
3Conduct Risk Assessment
Identify and assess all potential fire and structural hazards in your building. Use a systematic approach to evaluate likelihood, consequences, and existing control measures.
Your risk assessment should demonstrate that risks are being managed "so far as reasonably practicable" (SFARP). This means implementing control measures unless the cost (in time, money, or effort) is grossly disproportionate to the risk reduction achieved.
4Document Safety Management System
Detail the systems and processes in place to manage building safety on an ongoing basis. This should include:
- Roles and responsibilities of key personnel
- Maintenance and inspection schedules
- Emergency procedures and evacuation plans
- Training and competence requirements
- Change management processes
- Monitoring and review procedures
5Organize Golden Thread Information
Ensure all supporting documentation is organized within your Golden Thread information management system. Reference these documents in your Safety Case Report rather than duplicating them.
6Document Resident Engagement
Detail how you engage with residents on building safety matters, including:
- Communication methods and frequency
- Information provided to residents about building safety
- Process for addressing resident concerns
- Resident responsibilities regarding building safety
7Review and Finalize
Review the Safety Case Report for completeness, accuracy, and clarity. Consider having it reviewed by someone not involved in its preparation to identify gaps or areas for improvement.
The final report should be approved by the Principal Accountable Person before submission to the Building Safety Regulator as part of the Building Assessment Certificate application.
Best Practices for Safety Case Reports
Enhance the quality and effectiveness of your Safety Case Report with these best practices
Be Thorough but Clear
While your Safety Case Report should be comprehensive, it should also be written in clear, accessible language. Technical terms should be explained, and complex concepts should be presented in a way that can be understood by non-specialists.
Use an Evidence-Based Approach
All claims about safety measures and risk controls should be backed by evidence. This might include test certificates, inspection reports, maintenance records, or assessment reports from qualified professionals.
Make it Proportionate
The depth and detail of the report should be proportionate to the complexity and risk profile of the building. A 40-story tower block will require a more detailed report than a 7-story apartment building.
Ensure it's a Living Document
The Safety Case Report is not a one-time exercise. It should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes to the building, new information, or changes in best practice. Establish a review schedule and update process.
Include Visual Elements
Use diagrams, floor plans, photographs, and other visual elements to enhance understanding of the building and its safety features. Visual information can often communicate complex concepts more effectively than text alone.
Address Uncertainty
If there are areas where information is limited or uncertain (particularly for older buildings), acknowledge this openly and describe the measures taken to address these gaps, such as surveys, reasonable assumptions, or additional monitoring.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Address these common challenges when preparing your Safety Case Report
Gathering Historical Information
For older buildings, gathering comprehensive information about original construction and subsequent modifications can be challenging.
Solutions:
- Conduct thorough surveys to establish current conditions
- Use reasonable assumptions where information is missing, but document these clearly
- Implement additional monitoring or control measures where uncertainty exists
- Consult with local authorities, previous owners, or contractors for historical records
Technical Complexity
Building safety involves complex technical considerations across multiple disciplines.
Solutions:
- Engage specialists in relevant fields (fire engineering, structural engineering, etc.)
- Use a multi-disciplinary approach to risk assessment
- Consider peer review for complex aspects of the report
- Use plain language explanations alongside technical details
Resource Constraints
Creating a comprehensive Safety Case Report requires significant resources.
Solutions:
- Develop a phased approach, focusing first on highest-risk areas
- Use digital tools to streamline data collection and management
- Consider external support for specialized aspects
- For organizations with multiple buildings, develop standardized approaches and templates
Ongoing Maintenance
Keeping the Safety Case Report up-to-date as conditions change can be challenging.
Solutions:
- Establish clear processes for updating the report following changes to the building
- Implement a regular review schedule (at least annually)
- Use digital tools that facilitate version control and change tracking
- Assign clear responsibility for maintaining the Safety Case Report
Download Our Safety Case Report Templates (PDF)
Get PDF versions of our templates to help you create comprehensive Safety Case Reports that meet regulatory requirements.
Safety Case Report Template (PDF)
PDF document with guidance notes for each section (38 pages)
Risk Assessment Matrix (PDF)
PDF version of the risk assessment matrix template
Need Help With Your Safety Case Report?
Our team of experts can help you create, review, and maintain your Safety Case Reports to ensure they meet regulatory requirements and effectively manage building safety risks.