Visual Structural Appraisal: Strengthening Safety Cases Through Expert Insight

By Nick Young

With building safety legislation evolving rapidly in the wake of the Building Safety Act 2022, landlords and property managers face increasing obligations to demonstrate the structural integrity of their assets. Visual Structural Appraisals (VSA) have become an essential part of this process—providing a thorough, non-intrusive assessment that supports compliance, strengthens risk management, and informs strategic decision-making.

Navigating a changing regulatory landscape

The Building Safety Act 2022 places new responsibilities and liabilities for higher-risk residential buildings, requiring a comprehensive Building Safety Case that demonstrates how structural risks are identified and managed. A Visual Structural Appraisal, undertaken by a Chartered Building Surveyor, helps allay these risks by providing a detailed record of a building’s primary stability systems—column grids, load-bearing cores, transfer structures—and how they interact, all without the need for intrusive works.

By verifying the location and condition of key structural elements, along with any modifications or retrofit measures, a VSA gives accountable persons the clarity needed to meet regulatory expectations. Time-stamped photographic records and annotated plans can be included in the official Safety Case, offering reassurance to stakeholders—from residents to regulators—that the building’s framework has been professionally assessed.

Expertise beyond visual inspection

While a basic condition check might simply record visible cracks or signs of material degradation, the true value of a VSA lies in the technical interpretation of such observations. SRVO’s surveyors combine extensive practical experience with their current knowledge of materials, construction techniques, and fire safety to:

• Validate existing documentation, such as structural drawings or schematic plans, highlighting inconsistencies that could point to unrecorded structural alterations
• Identify signs of fatigue or corrosion in fixings that may pose safety risks
• Examine passive fire protection—for example, verifying how the structure is protected to meet current fire-resistance standards
• Review different types of structural frames, from reinforced concrete to steel-and-timber hybrids, ensuring each system is evaluated for long-term stability and durability
• Providing a general building safety structural engineering risk assessment.

This level of professional insight transforms a survey from a simple checklist into a sophisticated building risk assessment. SRVO surveyors support their findings with clear, actionable recommendations for further investigation, remedial work, or ongoing monitoring—helping clients to prioritise resources effectively.

Building confidence through clarity

In a sector where regulations and best practice are continually evolving, establishing a robust baseline of structural information is essential. A VSA provides that foundation—capturing the building’s condition at a particular point in time and identifying where more intrusive testing (such as opening up structures or specialist material sampling) may be necessary.

For asset owners and managers, this means greater certainty when planning building works, negotiating insurance cover, or preparing for lease renewals. By integrating structural intelligence into broader asset management strategies, property professionals can not only demonstrate compliance, but also optimise maintenance budgets and extend the life of their buildings.

SRVO’s commitment to quality

At SRVO, we believe in delivering value beyond the technical. As a RICS Chartered Practice with UK‑wide reach, our team brings the rigour of Chartered Building Surveyors to every Visual Structural Appraisal. Our collaborative approach ensures that we stay ahead of evolving regulations, and our survey reports are tailored to each client’s context—whether a purpose‑built residential block, mixed‑use development or heritage‑listed property.