Single Building Assessment Task and Finish Group: final output and recommendations - December 2023

Summary of Recommendations of SBA Task and Finish Group

The key recommendations of the Group are:

1. Developer led SBA should be able to be taken forward in line with a relevant scope / process.

2. The SBA process when finalised should take account of internal and external works and roles and responsibilities of developers, homeowners, etc.

3. PAS9980 should be used in Scotland as the basis for SBA. Consideration should be given to grading of risk / prioritisation of buildings (which is difficult to achieve within current ‘low risk’ and ‘high risk’ definitions set out in Scottish Advice Note).

4. A full specification for the SBA (and basis of what guidance is used) is rapidly needed to provide granularity of detail for assessments.

5. Consideration needs to be given to addressing the legislative landscape in Scotland including whether a fire risk assessment would be required for ongoing management of fire risk. This is considered outwith the scope of this Task and Finish Group but noted as a recommendation.

6. Remediation, if required, should be done once and well to enable it to be added to the register.

7. Expert panel should be removed. If concept of the panel is pursued, it has been requested that it also includes the building control function, so there would not be additional workload or duplication in engaging with SG panel and Local Authority Building Control.