Building Safety Act · Mandatory · Construction
Structural Inspection Record
A record of structural inspections carried out during construction.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. BSA 2022 / Building Regs remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
| Legal basis | BSA 2022 / Building Regs Part A (Structure) / CDM 2015 |
| Status | Mandatory — construction phase and occupation phase |
| Responsibility | Structural Engineer / Building Inspector |
| Golden thread | Structural inspection records are explicitly listed as golden thread information under the 2024 Regulations |
| Key inspections | Pre-pour rebar, foundation, structural steel connections, pre-plaster, cladding attachment, cavity barriers |
1. Structural Inspection Records — The Evidence of Structural Safety
For higher-risk buildings, the structural inspection record is not merely a quality assurance document — it is a statutory golden thread requirement that will be reviewed by the Building Safety Regulator. It provides the evidence that structural safety-critical elements were inspected by a competent structural engineer before they were covered, cast, or otherwise made inaccessible. Once these elements are covered, inspection is impossible without invasive investigation.
In occupation, structural inspection records from condition surveys demonstrate that the PAP is monitoring the structural condition of the building as part of the Safety Case. A building without up-to-date structural inspection records in occupation has an incomplete Safety Case and will struggle to demonstrate compliance when required to submit a Safety Case Report for the Building Assessment Certificate.
Structural inspection records must be linked to drawings showing the location of each inspection — they are useless without spatial reference
A log of structural inspection dates and 'pass' results provides no useful information about where in the building the inspections were conducted. Each inspection record must be linked to: the specific element inspected; its location (drawing reference, grid/level); the specific requirement checked (bar size, cover, bolt grade); the actual measurement or observation; and the inspector's assessment. Location-specific records linked to drawings are the gold standard.
2. Structural Inspection Record — Content
The following table sets out the required content of the structural inspection record.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Inspection ID | Unique reference. |
| Date | Date of inspection. |
| Element | Structural element inspected. E.g. 'G/F slab rebar — panel 1A to 2A.' |
| Drawing reference | Structural drawing against which inspection was made. |
| Specification ref | Specification clause or standard. |
| Inspector | Name, qualification, and professional registration (e.g. IStructE, ICE CEng). Employer. |
| Items checked | Specific items examined: bar diameter/type vs specified; spacing vs drawing; cover vs specified; laps vs drawing; embedded items vs specification. |
| Measurements/observations | Actual values recorded. Non-conformances noted. |
| ITP control point | Hold point / Witness point reference. |
| Result | Pass / Conditional pass / Fail. |
| Non-conformances | NCR reference if raised. Disposition. |
| Sign-off | Inspector signature and date. PC QA sign-off. |
| Photos | Photo reference — documenting pre-cover condition. |
3. Common Mistakes
Not conducting structural inspections at the right stages — after covering
A structural inspection of rebar conducted after the concrete is poured is not an inspection — it is a retrospective review of records. The inspection must occur before the element is covered. ITP hold points before concrete pours and before covering structural elements are essential on HRBs.
Inspections conducted by unqualified persons
Structural inspection records for HRBs carry greater weight if conducted by a chartered structural engineer (MIStructE, CEng) or equivalent. Site managers conducting structural inspections without specific structural competence cannot provide the same level of assurance. For HRBs, the inspection regime should involve qualified structural engineers.
No photographs of pre-cover condition
Written inspection records can be challenged or questioned years after the event. Photographic evidence of the pre-cover condition of structural elements — showing rebar layout, connections, and dimensions — is powerful supporting evidence that cannot be disputed. Every significant inspection should be accompanied by dated photographs.
Not maintaining inspection records in the golden thread format
Structural inspection records on paper, in site files, that are not digitised and indexed in the golden thread register do not meet the BSA requirement. They must be digitally maintained, version controlled, and included in the golden thread repository.
Occupation phase structural surveys not conducted or recorded
The Safety Case for an occupied HRB must include evidence of ongoing structural monitoring. A building that has not had a structural condition survey in 10+ years has an incomplete safety case. The PAP must establish a programme of periodic structural inspections and maintain their records.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
How frequently should structural inspections be conducted during construction?▾
The frequency of structural inspections during construction should be specified in the ITP (J1). For reinforced concrete, a key inspection occurs before every significant pour — at least every pour above a defined volume threshold. For structural steel, key inspections occur at connections, before cladding attachment, and at completed frames. The structural engineer advising on the building must define the inspection programme appropriate for the specific structure.
Who should conduct structural inspections for HRBs?▾
For construction phase inspections of HRBs: a chartered structural engineer (MIStructE or ICE CEng with structural competence) should conduct or oversee significant structural inspections. The structural engineer of record for the project — or their representative — is the appropriate inspector for structural elements. Sub-frame inspections may be conducted by a competent building inspector with structural training.
What structural elements are particularly critical for HRBs?▾
For high-rise residential HRBs, particularly critical structural elements include: the transfer structure (where columns above sit on transfer beams/slabs, concentrating loads); external wall cladding fixings and restraints (structural attachment of external wall systems is both structural and fire safety); inter-tenancy walls where these contribute to structural stability; any post-tensioned concrete elements; and connections in the primary structural frame. These require documented inspection by a qualified structural engineer before being concealed.
Does the Building Safety Act require structural surveys for existing HRBs?▾
Yes — for occupied HRBs, the PAP’s Safety Case must address structural safety. This requires assessment of the building’s structural condition, which may require commissioning a structural condition survey. The frequency of subsequent surveys depends on: the building’s age and construction type; any known concerns; the findings of previous surveys. The PAP’s Safety Management System should define the survey programme.
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