Navigate the complex dutyholder regime under BSA 2022 — from Client and Principal Designer to Principal Contractor obligations during design, construction, and occupation.. The New Dutyholder Regime The Building Safety Act 2022 fundamentally restructured accountability in the construction industry. Drawing lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Act establishes clear dutyholder roles with legal responsibilities that carry criminal sanctions for non compliance. Key Dutyholder Roles The Client The Client is the person or organisation for whom the building work is carried out. Under the BSA 2022, Clients must: Appoint a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor Ensure adequate time, resources, and budget for compliance Not arrange for building work unless satisfied that duties will be met Cooperate with dutyholders and coordinate their activities The Principal Designer The Principal Designer must be a competent individual or organisation appointed to plan, manage, and coordinate design work during the design phase. Their duties include: Ensuring the design complies with Building Regulations Coordinating design work between all designers Assisting the Client in preparing compliance documentation Liaising with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Ensuring a 'golden thread' of building information is established The Principal Contractor The Principal Contractor plans, manages, and coordinates building work during construction. Key responsibilities: Ensuring construction complies with Building Regulations Coordinating construction work with the design Managing the competence of all contractors Maintaining the golden thread during construction Facilitating mandatory occurrence reporting Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs) For Higher Risk Buildings (residential buildings 18m+ or 7+ storeys), additional requirements apply: Gateway 1 — Planning stage: fire statement required Gateway 2 — Before construction: full plans application to BSR Gateway 3 — Before occupation: completion certificate from BSR The BSR (part of the Health and Safety Executive) acts as the building control authority for all HRBs, replacing local authority building control. The Golden Thread The 'golden thread' is the digital record of building information that must be created, maintained, and handed over throughout the building lifecycle. It includes: Design specifications and fire strategy documents As built drawings and construction records Product information and test certificates Change control records Key decisions and their rationale Competence Requirements All dutyholders must demonstrate competence appropriate to their role. The BSI Flex 8670 framework provides the competence standard, covering: Knowledge of Building Regulations and fire safety Experience in the specific building type Organisational capability and management systems Individual qualifications and CPD records Sanctions and Enforcement Non compliance with dutyholder obligations can result in: Compliance notices from the BSR Stop notices halting construction Unlimited fines Criminal prosecution (up to two years imprisonment) Civil liability for building safety defects (extended to 30 years retrospectively) How Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD Supports Dutyholders As experienced fire engineers and building safety consultants, Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD assists Clients, Principal Designers, and Principal Contractors in meeting their BSA 2022 obligations. From fire strategy development through Gateway submissions to golden thread documentation, we provide comprehensive support throughout the building lifecycle. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.