Accurate Building Measurement: Essential for Building Safety Act 2022 Compliance

20th March 2025

Precise building measurements are fundamental when determining compliance requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) and related fire safety regulations. Understanding whether your property qualifies as a ‘higher-risk building’, ‘relevant building’, or falls outside these categories is critical for implementing appropriate safety protocols and safeguarding residents.

Building Classifications Under the BSA 2022
The Building Safety Act outlines specific requirements based on building height in metres or storey count. Sections 117, 31, and 65 provide the framework for determining which regulations apply to your building. The BSA 2022 offers comprehensive guidance on measuring building height for single and connected structures (government guidance can be found here)

Relevant Buildings
Leaseholder protections within the Building Safety Act apply exclusively to relevant buildings, which must meet all these criteria:
-Minimum height of 11 metres or at least five storeys
-Contains two or more dwellings
-Not owned by leaseholders

Higher-Risk Buildings
A higher-risk building in England is defined as:
-Minimum height of 18 metres or at least seven storeys
-Contains at least two residential units
-Meets specific use criteria

Measurement Guidelines: A Case-by-Case Approach
Every building presents unique characteristics requiring individualized assessment. Measurements must be conducted on a case-by-case basis as different circumstances dictate where measurements begin. Key measurement principles include:
1. Measure from the uppermost floor surface to the lowest ground point outside the building
2. Carefully assess ground level, considering terrain variations
3. Exclude below-ground storeys (including underground parking)
4. For sloped ground, measure from the lowest level directly adjacent to the structure
5. Exclude storeys containing only rooftop machinery or plant rooms
6. Count gallery/mezzanine floors as storeys only if their internal floor area reaches at least 50% of the largest above-ground storey above or below

When dealing with complex buildings where measurement points aren’t immediately obvious, a professional Measured Survey provides definitive accuracy. Furthermore, laser scanning can provide even greater measurement precision. Podium are specialists in laser scanning and can lend their expertise to improve the accuracy of classifications of buildings under BSA 2022.

Building Height Categories and Requirements
Buildings are categorised by either height OR storey count—meeting both criteria isn’t necessary. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 establishes progressive requirements:

All multi-residential buildings (two or more domestic premises):
-Provide fire safety instructions to residents
-Distribute fire door information to residents

Residential buildings above 11 metres or five storeys:
-All previous requirements, plus:
-Quarterly checks of communal fire doors
-Annual checks of flat entrance doors

Residential buildings above 18 metres or at least seven storeys:
-All previous requirements, plus:
-Install secure information box
-Assess external wall systems
-Create floor and building plans
-Regularly check lifts and firefighting equipment
-Implement wayfinding signage
-Register with the Building Safety Regulator
-Prepare safety cases and reports
-Develop and implement resident engagement strategies
-Establish mandatory occurrence reporting
-Implement complaint management systems

Professional Measurement Services
Accurate measurements are essential for regulatory compliance and safety assurance. Professional Measured Surveys provide certainty that your building meets all relevant regulations, eliminating guesswork from this critical safety determination. Contact Podium to find out more about our specialist laser scanning service which lends greater precision and assurance to the landscape of HRB classification and compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022.