Building Safety Acronyms & Definitions (UK)
The building safety sector uses a wide range of technical terms, abbreviations and legal language. This glossary explains common building safety, fire safety and compliance acronyms used across the UK, including terms such as PEEP, RPEEP, FRA, Golden Thread and Safety Case Report.
Popular Terms
PEEP
RPEEP
FRA
BSR
Golden Thread
Safety Case Report
AP
PAP
A
ACOP (Approved Code of Practice)
An ACOP provides practical guidance on how to comply with UK health and safety law.
Following an ACOP is not mandatory, but it is widely accepted as evidence of compliance.
AP (Accountable Person)
An Accountable Person is the individual or organisation legally responsible for managing building safety risks in higher-risk buildings.
This role is defined under the Building Safety Act 2022.
ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable)
ALARP means reducing risks to the lowest level reasonably achievable, balancing cost, time, and effort.
It is a key principle in UK risk management and safety compliance.
B
BEEP (Business Emergency Evacuation Plan)
A BEEP is a tailored evacuation plan designed to support individuals who require assistance during an emergency in a workplace or public building.
BSR (Building Safety Regulator)
The Building Safety Regulator is the UK authority responsible for overseeing the safety of higher-risk buildings.
It sits within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
BSA (Building Safety Act 2022)
The Building Safety Act 2022 is UK legislation introduced to improve accountability, transparency, and safety in high-rise residential buildings.
C
CDM (Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015)
CDM regulations set out responsibilities for managing health, safety, and welfare during construction projects.
COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations)
COMAH regulations aim to prevent and mitigate major accidents involving dangerous substances at industrial sites.
CP (Competent Person)
A Competent Person is someone with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out safety-related tasks.
This is a key requirement in fire risk assessments and compliance.
D
DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations)
DSEAR regulations manage risks from fire and explosions caused by dangerous substances in workplaces.
DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan)
A Disaster Recovery Plan outlines how systems and operations will be restored following a major disruption.
E
EPRR (Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response)
EPRR is a framework used to ensure organisations can effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
EWS1 (External Wall System Form)
An EWS1 form is used to assess fire risk related to external wall systems on residential buildings.
It became widely used following the Grenfell Tower fire.
F
FRA (Fire Risk Assessment)
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a structured evaluation of fire risks within a building and the measures required to reduce those risks.
It is a legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order.
FRS (Fire and Rescue Service)
The Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for fire prevention, response, and rescue operations across the UK.
FSM (Fire Safety Manager)
A Fire Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing fire safety procedures, compliance, and risk management within a building.
G
GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance)
GRC is a structured approach to aligning organisational goals with risk management and regulatory requirements.
Golden Thread
The Golden Thread refers to a digital, up-to-date record of building information maintained throughout a building’s lifecycle.
It is a key requirement under the Building Safety Act.
H
HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
The HSE is the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety and hosts the Building Safety Regulator.
HRB (Higher-Risk Building)
A Higher-Risk Building is typically a high-rise residential building subject to stricter regulatory oversight under the Building Safety Act.
I
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
ISO develops international standards, including those for risk management (ISO 31000) and business continuity (ISO 22301).
J
JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles)
JESIP provides guidance to ensure emergency services work together effectively during major incidents.
L
LRF (Local Resilience Forum)
Local Resilience Forums are multi-agency partnerships that coordinate emergency planning and response at a local level.
M
MCA (Major Accident)
A Major Accident is an event with serious consequences such as injury, loss of life, or environmental damage.
MBCP (Major Business Continuity Plan)
A plan outlining how an organisation maintains operations during major disruptions.
O
O&M (Operation and Maintenance Manual)
An O&M manual contains key information about building systems, equipment, and maintenance procedures.
It contributes to the Golden Thread.
P
PAP (Principal Accountable Person)
The Principal Accountable Person is the main dutyholder responsible for managing building safety in higher-risk buildings.
PAS (Publicly Available Specification)
A PAS is a fast-tracked standard published by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Examples include PAS 9980 for fire risk appraisal of external walls.
PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan)
A PEEP is a personalised evacuation plan designed to ensure an individual can safely exit a building in an emergency.
PEEPs are commonly required under UK fire safety legislation.
R
RPEEP (Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan)
An RPEEP is a proposed evacuation planning approach for residents in high-rise buildings who require assistance.
It has gained prominence following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
RRO (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005)
The RRO is the primary UK legislation governing fire safety responsibilities in buildings.
RP (Responsible Person)
The Responsible Person is legally accountable for fire safety within a building under the Fire Safety Order.
RTO (Recovery Time Objective)
RTO is the maximum acceptable time to restore systems or operations following a disruption.
S
SFG20 (Standard for Maintenance of Building Services)
SFG20 is a recognised UK standard for building maintenance schedules and compliance.
SMS (Safety Management System)
A Safety Management System is a structured framework for managing safety risks and compliance.
T
TPRM (Third-Party Risk Management)
TPRM is the process of identifying and managing risks associated with external suppliers and partners.
U
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation)
UK GDPR governs how personal data is collected, processed, and stored.
W
WAH (Work at Height Regulations 2005)
WAH regulations aim to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by working at height.