Understanding Gateway 2
Gateway 2 is part of the Building Safety Regulator’s three-stage approval process. For higher-risk buildings, you cannot start construction until you’ve demonstrated to the BSR that your design meets the necessary safety requirements.
At this stage, you’ll need to submit:
- A full plans application with detailed design information.
- Evidence that the design complies with building regulations.
- The fire and emergency file, showing a clear safety strategy.
- A “design freeze” baseline that will be carried into construction.
If your early-stage design decisions don’t align with compliance requirements, Gateway 2 approval can be delayed — sometimes by months.
How Early Decisions Echo into Gateway 2
The design decisions you make at RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design) and Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination) have a lasting impact:
- Layout Choices — Core placement, stair design, and escape routes must work with fire safety strategies from the start.
- Façade Design — Materials and configurations affect fire spread resistance and insulation performance.
- Plant Room Location — Influences service routes, compartmentation, and maintenance access.
- Height & Massing — Triggers additional regulatory thresholds and safety measures.
Each of these can lock in compliance challenges — or, if done right, smooth your path to Gateway 2.
Integrating Compliance at Concept Stage
1️⃣ Bring compliance experts in early — Fire engineers, building control officers, and safety consultants should be part of the design conversation from the first sketches.
2️⃣ Run early compliance simulations — Use BIM modelling for fire strategy, evacuation, and structural performance checks before designs harden.
3️⃣ Hold compliance-led design reviews — Treat them with the same priority as aesthetic reviews to catch non-compliance early.
4️⃣ Document every decision — Keep a clear record of design rationale to include in your Gateway 2 evidence.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Deferring compliance checks until Stage 4 — By then, changes are expensive and disruptive.
- Overlooking small rule breaches — Minor deviations can force major redesigns later.
- Not aligning disciplines — Structural, services, and architectural teams must coordinate to meet compliance holistically.
Key Takeaways
Gateway 2 success doesn’t start with a form — it starts with the very first design sketch. Treat compliance as a core design principle, and you’ll reduce redesign risks, keep your programme on track, and make your submission smoother.
The Building Safety Regulator’s process is here to raise standards — and early compliance thinking is the most cost-effective way to meet those standards.
How We Can Help
At BA Systems, we support clients through the entire compliance process:
- Full technical submittals ready for Gateway 2.
- Structural engineering sign-off.
- Product certification and traceability documentation.
- Installation competence and quality assurance records.
If you have an upcoming Gateway 2 submission or need advice on your balustrading package, get in touch with our team today. We would be happy to help you!
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