The Building Safety Act was introduced to address systemic failings in building safety, particularly in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. While its primary focus is on structural and fire safety, the Act appears to have had significant impact on inclusive design and disabled access.

The Act has quite rightly placed a significant focus on Approved Document B (ADB), covering fire related elements of the Building Regulations in England (with new guidance published that came into effect in 2025).

However, the Act’s introduction of the Building Safety Regulator has created a more rigorous oversight framework covering all aspects of the Building Regulations, including Approved Document M (ADM).  

This has the potential for a cultural shift in the construction industry: disabled access and inclusion is no longer a compliance checkbox, but a core component of building safety, from the earliest design stages through to construction and day to day use.

Impact on developers and designers

Developers and designers are expected to integrate accessibility (by way of ADM1 and ADM2 where appropriate) and now record and demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, particularly through each Gateway submission (the three key stages of the Building Control process).

Integrating an access or inclusive design consultant into the design team is by far the most robust means of ensuring designs are appraised, the most appropriate guidance is given, and subsequently, best practice is suitably followed or there is a sufficiently balanced argument in place where deviation is proposed.

This in turn forms an integral part of any development’s safety strategies, recognising that a truly safe building must incorporate access (and egress) for all.

Increased enquiries

This has resulted in a marked increase in enquiries for our in-house access consultancy services relating to guidance navigating of ADM, considering both the relevant parts of volume 1 (dwellings) and volume 2 (buildings other than dwellings), for traditional C3 residential developments, co-living schemes and purpose built student accommodation (PBSA).

This includes assessing designs and providing inclusive design strategy documentation for Gateway submissions.

Looking to the future

This is important to note as it has the potential to create a cultural shift in the construction industry: from the earliest design stages through to construction and day to day use. Many would argue that a review and update to Approved Document M (both volume 1 covering dwellings, and volume 2 covering buildings other than dwellings) is well overdue.

Please also find further guidance on navigating the Building Safety Act in our previous article here.

Further information

Contact Shaun Miller