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Ensure compliance with the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 

A Single Building Assessment (SBA) is a whole-building safety assessment designed to help assess the safety of multi-residential buildings

  • The SBA provides a comprehensive evaluation of the entire building, covering all aspects of fire safety and structural soundness. This includes cladding, internal fire safety measures, and the overall condition of the building.

  • It assesses risks to human life created or exacerbated by external wall cladding systems and identifies any remediation work.
    • The purpose is to streamline the process of assessing high-rise residential buildings, creating one comprehensive, standardised report.

    • Buildings in scope are multi-residential blocks that are 11 metres or taller, have an external wall cladding system and were built or refurbished between 1992 and 2022.
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      At Global HSE Group our team includes façade engineers, fire engineers, and MEP engineers, so we can complete all elements of the SBA in-house.

      What is the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024?

      The Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 is a new law that came into force in January 2025. Its purpose is to make sure that people living in flats are protected from the risks linked to unsafe cladding.

      The Act gives the Scottish Government the power to identify buildings with dangerous cladding, arrange for them to be assessed through the Single Building Assessment process, and then take steps to ensure any necessary remediation work is carried out. It also created the Cladding Assurance Register, which is a public record showing the safety status of buildings that have been assessed.

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      What is a Single Building Assessment, and what does it involve?

      A Single Building Assessment (SBA) is Scotland’s standard assessment for multi-residential buildings with cladding.

      The SBA checks how external wall systems, insulation, fixings, and balconies might affect fire spread. Internal fire safety in common areas is also evaluated, creating one trusted view of a whole building. 

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      Steps in the Single Building Assessment Process

      The typical Single Building Assessment process in Scotland, from start to finish will follow the steps below.

      • 1. Identification of Buildings: Confirm the building is in scope using factors such as height, occupancy, and construction materials.
      • 2. Collate Information: Gather existing records on the building and plan the survey, including any intrusive investigations needed.
      • 3. On-site Assessment: Carry out thorough site inspections of the external wall system and internal common areas, fire safety systems, and structural integrity. 
      • 4. SBA Specification: Complete a risk appraisal using the SBA specification, which draws on PAS 9980 for external walls.
      • 5. Draft the Report: Apply quality checks and peer review as set out in the SBA standards.
      • 6. Finalise the Report: Compile the detailed SBA report with findings, recommended remediation, priorities and any costed options.
      • 7. Submit the SBA: Submit the SBA to the Scottish Government for entry on the Cladding Assurance Register.
      • 8. Action: Based on the SBA report, an action plan is developed to address identified issues. Plan and deliver any remediation. If new risks emerge during works, commission an Additional Work Assessment in line with the standards.

      Why is an SBA important?

      The Single Building Assessment is crucial for improving building safety standards in Scotland. It gives one clear, trusted view of a building’s fire risk from cladding. This single standard assessment enables owners to make confident, evidence based decisions.

      Building owners and managers have a legal duty to keep their properties safe. An SBA helps them meet that duty and avoid legal issues arising from non-compliance with building safety regulations.

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      Single Building Assessment service

      Our multi-disciplinary team made up of façade engineers, fire engineers, and MEP engineers allows us to provide a turn key solution to complete all of the FRAEW, Fire Risk Assessments, and expertise required to complete a Single Building Assessment report.

      Discover how our team can ensure your compliance with the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 and give occupants confidence in the safety of their building.

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      What is a Single Building Assessment and why was it introduced?

      An SBA is Scotland’s standard whole-building safety assessment for flatted buildings with cladding. It was introduced to give one clear, trusted view of fire risk after concerns raised post-Grenfell, so owners, residents and lenders can rely on consistent evidence and plan remediation with confidence

      Which buildings need an SBA?

      Buildings in scope are multi-residential blocks that are 11 metres or taller, have an external wall cladding system and were built or refurbished between 1992 and 2022. Buildings under 11 metres are outside the programme. Owners of shorter buildings can choose a voluntary appraisal, such as an EWS1 or a bespoke fire risk review.

      What does an SBA involve in practice?

      Our qualified team inspects the external wall system and key internal common areas, reviews drawings and records, and takes samples where needed. They complete a risk appraisal using the SBA specification, then issue a report with findings, priorities and recommended remediation.

      What happens after the SBA is completed?

      Results can be recorded on the Cladding Assurance Register so there is a clear public status. Owners then plan and deliver any remediation. If new issues are uncovered during works, an Additional Work Assessment may be commissioned to update the advice.

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      If you want to discuss your Single Building Assessment requirements, or whether your building falls into scope, speak to a member of our team today.