How to Futureproof Your Commercial Property for Safety and Compliance

The UK commercial property sector is facing an era of rapid change right now. Evolving legislation, heightened scrutiny, and a growing emphasis on sustainability mean property owners and managers must take a proactive approach to compliance. By understanding recent regulatory shifts, prioritising fire and structural safety, and adopting digital tools for accountability, however, dutyholders can meet legal obligations and protect their occupants.

Understanding Recent Regulatory Shifts

The Building Safety Act 2022 has reshaped responsibilities for dutyholders, particularly those managing high-rise and complex buildings. It introduced stricter oversight, mandated safety case reviews, and created new accountability structures. Alongside it, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 placed greater responsibility on landlords and managing agents to conduct regular reviews, share fire safety information with residents, and ensure compliance is ongoing rather than one-off. Most recently, changes to Approved Document B in 2025 have further clarified fire resistance requirements and structural standards, creating additional duties for property managers.

Fire Safety Standards

Fire protection remains one of the most critical areas of compliance. Recent reforms include the shift from the older BS 476 testing standards to BS EN 13501, aligning the UK with European benchmarks. Regulation 10 guidance, updated in August 2025, now makes clear that existing but functional fire doors in communal areas do not need to be replaced solely due to missing certification, provided they remain safe and serviceable. Property managers must also schedule quarterly inspections of communal fire doors and annual checks for flat entrance doors. These updates reflect a more pragmatic, risk-based approach, ensuring resources are directed toward maintaining performance rather than unnecessary replacement. Prioritising compliant, well-maintained fire doors is key to safeguarding tenants and meeting legal standards.

Maintaining Structural Safety

Beyond active systems like alarms and sprinklers, passive protections are vital to containing fire and ensuring safe evacuation. Compartmentation (dividing a building into fire-resistant sections through floors, walls, and cavity barriers) helps limit the spread of flames and smoke. Recent reviews have tightened rules on compartment sizes, particularly in vulnerable settings such as care homes. Regular inspection and maintenance of these passive systems is essential, not only for compliance but also for the ongoing safety of students, tenants, and staff.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

UK legislation is also driving improvements in energy performance. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are rising, with EPC minimum ratings set to increase to C by 2027 and B by 2030. While upgrades such as insulation and thermal refurbishments are crucial for sustainability, they must not compromise fire barriers, cavity protection, or escape routes. Balancing sustainability with fire and structural safety requires careful planning and integrated compliance strategies.

The Golden Thread of Information

The concept of the “golden thread” underpins the Building Safety Act, emphasising the importance of accurate, accessible, and continuous information about a building’s safety. Digital compliance systems make it easier to maintain fire risk assessments, maintenance logs, tenant communications, and remedial action records in one place. This not only streamlines audits and inspections but also provides defensible evidence of due diligence in the event of regulatory review.

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