A lot can happen in 20 years, and building safety in the UK has undergone a fundamental shift. In 2006, the industry was still adjusting to the newly introduced Fire Safety Order. Risk assessments were becoming more common, but expectations were still developing. Today, in 2026, the Building Safety Act has redefined how we manage, record, and demonstrate compliance.
What was once a fragmented and largely paper-based compliance process has evolved into a data-driven, regulated environment where proactive safety management is now essential. This article explores the journey from then to now, and how 4site has evolved alongside the sector.
The Landscape in 2006
In 2006, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was still being interpreted and embedded. For many property managers and landlords, it marked the first shift from prescriptive fire regulations to a risk-based model. The focus was largely on identifying hazards rather than demonstrating how they were being mitigated over time.
Health and safety compliance was often paper-led. Assessments were delivered as PDF reports and filed in binders - rarely revisited until the next audit. Data was minimal, inconsistent, and rarely digital. Communication between stakeholders was reactive, and there was little expectation of integration between fire, water, asbestos, and health and safety disciplines.
Competence requirements were vague while survey quality and standards varied significantly between providers. For asbestos, there was growing awareness of the need for proper registers, but practices remained inconsistent across the sector.
Water hygiene was gaining traction (especially in the commercial sector), but standards for residential buildings were not yet widely adopted or enforced.
The Catalysts for Change: 2006–2026
A number of key events and policy changes have shaped the last two decades of progress in building safety.
The Lakanal House fire in 2009 and the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 exposed critical gaps in fire safety strategy, cladding safety, compartmentation, resident engagement, and enforcement. In the wake of these tragedies, the Hackitt Review called for a cultural shift toward accountability, competence, and a "golden thread" of information management.
At the same time, insurers, auditors, and residents began placing higher demands on safety transparency. The digital transformation across other sectors led to new expectations around real-time data, business intelligence, and cross-system integration.
Regulatory updates have then followed. The Fire Safety Act (2021) expanded the scope of fire risk assessments to include external walls and flat entrance doors. The Building Safety Act (2022) created formal roles for Accountable Persons and introduced a regulated framework for higher-risk buildings (HRBs). The requirements include the obligation to submit Safety Case Reports and to maintain digital records.
The Landscape in 2026
Here in 2026, building safety is widely recognised as a continuous discipline rather than a series of disconnected tasks. The role of the Accountable Person is clearly defined, and their duties extend beyond compliance paperwork. They must ensure that risks are actively identified, managed, and monitored with traceable evidence.
Digital records are the expected norm. From fire door inspections to asbestos re-inspections, duty holders are expected to maintain live, up-to-date, and auditable records that can be accessed by residents, contractors, and regulators.
Golden Thread principles now influence all types of buildings, not just HRBs. Centralised data and mobile reporting are standard tools for managing compliance portfolios. Predictive insights, powered by analytics and trend analysis, are helping teams plan future works and prioritise risk.
Competence standards are now far more defined. Providers must demonstrate training, qualifications, and consistency, not just issue reports. The bar is higher, and scrutiny is certainly greater.
What This Shift Means for Property Stakeholders
The transformation from 2006 to 2026 has significant implications for freeholders, property managers, and managing agents.
Scrutiny from residents, insurers, and regulators has intensified. Every decision must be justified with documented reasoning.
Audit trails must be transparent. Reactive reporting is no longer enough.
Integrated safety management is expected. Fire, water hygiene, asbestos, and health & safety must be connected and coherent.
Data accuracy is essential, as poor-quality reports or missing evidence can delay Safety Case approval or expose gaps in compliance.
Operational teams are expected to act early, build compliance in at the planning stage, and maintain continuous oversight, even across complex or ageing portfolios.
The Role of 4site in Supporting Both Eras
We have worked alongside the industry throughout this journey - from the early days of the Fire Safety Order to the integrated, regulated environment of today.
We’ve adapted our tools, reporting processes, and consultancy approach to match both the increasing complexity and the digital expectations of modern property compliance.
Our in-house assessors use mobile tools and photographic evidence to deliver consistent, auditable reports.
Digital asset tagging supports traceable fire door inspections and real-time compliance tracking.
Strategic Business Intelligence dashboards help clients visualise their risk exposure, prioritise works, and plan budgets with confidence.
Our services are tailored to meet 2026 standards, not 2006 assumptions.
Most importantly, we help our clients understand, organise, and act on their safety data, providing both the technical clarity and practical support needed in today’s regulatory climate.
From Then to Now, And What’s Next?
The building safety landscape of 2006 was a world apart from the structured, data-led environment of 2026. In two decades, the sector has moved from reactive box-ticking to proactive, accountable safety leadership.
That journey hasn’t been easy, and it isn’t over. We’re certain that the next decade will bring continued demands for stronger data, smarter systems, and greater evidence of competence.
Whether you’re reviewing your fire strategy, preparing for a Safety Case submission, or integrating safety data across disciplines, 4site is here to support you. We’ve been part of the industry’s evolution and will continue to partner with property professionals who are committed to doing things properly, consistently, and transparently.