The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has launched the third annual edition of its Building Safety Act Industry Survey as it seeks to measure how the sector is adapting to the UK’s post-Grenfell building safety reforms.
Supported by Barbour ABI and the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee (ICC), the survey aims to build a clearer picture of how the legislation is affecting day-to-day operations, workforce competence and management systems across the built environment.
Introduced in 2022, the Building Safety Act has brought significant changes to the way construction projects are designed, delivered and managed, with a greater focus on accountability, competence and the management of safety information.
BESA said this year’s survey moves beyond awareness of the legislation to examine how businesses are implementing the requirements in practice.
The research will gather feedback from MEP professionals and organisations across the supply chain, with findings intended to help both industry and regulators understand where further support may be required.
Focus on competence and operational maturity
The 2026 survey explores several of the more challenging aspects of the legislation, including:
- Managing project records for up to 30 years
- Balancing compliance requirements against programme and cost pressures
- The role of contractors in challenging client decisions that could compromise safety
- Workforce competence and governance arrangements
- The impact of the legislation on business operations and growth
BESA said the findings would provide evidence to help shape future industry guidance and policy development.
This year’s survey has been developed with support from the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee, which helped shape questions relating to future competence requirements.
The Association said the results would provide valuable insight into the challenges facing building services businesses as they work towards compliance with the new regulatory framework.
Although the Building Safety Act does not fully apply across the devolved nations, BESA is encouraging participation from organisations throughout the UK to better understand sector-wide readiness and cross-border implications.
BESA seeks industry feedback
Rachel Davidson, BESA’s Director of Specialist Knowledge, said: “This survey has become increasingly important since its launch three years ago. The first two years focused heavily on awareness and understanding of roles and responsibilities (or lack of).
“This year we are looking closely at operational maturity and how the legislation is affecting ‘real life’ projects including what impact it is having on business growth, and where competence gaps lie. This is all vital information that can help us shape guidance, provide targeted support and share practical experience to help drive culture change across the sector.”
Davidson said the Association wanted to understand how organisations were managing competence, governance, leadership and compliance “in practice”, rather than simply through policies and procedures.
She added: “If you work anywhere in the built environment, I’d really appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the survey. Just as importantly, please share it with your colleagues and wider network.
“The stronger the response, the better the evidence we can provide to industry, the Regulator and government on what’s working, where the challenges remain, and what support is needed next.”
Incentives to encourage participation
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, with responses treated confidentially.
To encourage participation, BESA is offering five £100 Amazon gift vouchers through a prize draw and will provide free copies of the completed report to all respondents. The Association has also committed to donating £1 for every completed survey to the Lighthouse Charity, which supports the mental health and wellbeing of construction workers.
