Outlines for building construction and design when considering fire risks and safety are accounted for via the Building Regulations Approved Document B, as well as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005). It is important to abide by these to ensure the development is legal. Compliance with Approved Document B is noted in aspects such as ensuring fire-resistant materials have been used in party walls, doors and common areas providing at least sixty (60) minutes of fire-resistance before failure (Building Regulations, 2022). As required in Approved Document B, escape routes are constructed to be ‘fire sterile’ and include well-lit escape routes and means of diverting fire and smoke to other areas.

Compliance with the RFSO (2005) is noted in the accommodations made to ensure there are clear emergency routes and exits, with fire-management plans in place ensuring there are adequate and reliable prevention measures active (UK Statutory Instruments, 2022). Compliance is further demonstrated through the inclusion of smoke alarms and detectors throughout each bedroom on the residential floors, throughout the supermarket and agency, the commercial office spaces, as well as including sprinkler systems within any kitchen areas as is mandatory under BS:9251 (The NBS, 2022).

The Gas Safety Regulations (1998) and Electric Testing Regulations (2020) have made mandatory several procedures relating to the management and maintenance of the property. Checking and testing of the functioning and safety of the gas installations is required on a yearly basis as per the GSR (Health and Safety Executive, 2022), and the electrical inspection and testing is required very five years as per the ETR (Health and Safety Executive, 2022). It is important to maintain a record of any inspections and testing of these utility services, as stated by H&SE “You must keep a record of the safety check for two years and issue a copy to each existing tenant…” (Property Investment Project, 2022).

As residential floors and breakrooms in the office floors contain kitchens, the regular inspection and cleaning of ventilation systems for these is required under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (1992) (UK Statutory Instruments, 2022).

As stated by Approved Document L Vol. Two relating to energy performance, ensuring that levels of energy efficiency and environmental impact is acceptable and within limits is a key part when choosing construction materials and heating/energy systems. This has been part of the process when selecting our wall materials (high insulation and strong thermal mass properties), using window types promoting high U-values to reduce heat-loss and lower heating demand, in addition to using a ground-source heat pump due to its zero-carbon emissions quality leading overall to a very low environmental impact. This enables the development to meet the demands of Approved Document L (UK Government, 2022).