In the UK, approx. 2,000 higher-risk buildings (at least seven stories/18m and containing at least two residential units) are constructed each year — in addition to the existing stock of 12,500 such buildings. In accordance with the Building Safety Act 2022, each will require assessment between 2024–2029. This assessment will feed into the safety case that will demonstrate how fire and structural safety risks are managed under the Act.
To provide a starting point for assessments carried out by competent assessors, the IStructE has produced this compendium of 16 common higher-risk building (HRB) typologies. The typologies focus on UK buildings constructed between 1920 and 2020. Each contains a description, a schedule of applicable codes at the time of construction, and possible defects and other issues to look out for.