As cities grow taller, the need to ensure that high-rise buildings are both safe and sustainable has never been more important. At MosaicGT, we provide the tools that help developers, building managers, and safety professionals meet these demands. Our platform is designed to support compliance, improve oversight, and streamline day-to-day safety management — all while aligning with sustainability goals.

This article explores how safety and sustainability intersect in high-rise construction and management. We look at regulations, building design, smart technologies, and materials and how those responsible for high-rise properties can use digital tools to create sustainable buildings that are secure, efficient, and ready for the future.

Why Safety and Sustainability Must Go Together

Safety and sustainability may seem like separate priorities, but in modern high-rise buildings, they are deeply connected. Safety involves protecting residents from fire, structural failure, and other risks. Sustainability focuses on reducing energy use, emissions, and waste across the building’s lifecycle.

The most effective buildings achieve both by:

• Using materials that are fire-safe and environmentally responsible
• Adopting smart technologies that reduce energy use and improve monitoring
• Designing for durability to limit long-term maintenance and resource consumption

What the Law Says: Building Safety Act 2022

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced new legal responsibilities for people managing higher-risk buildings in England. These include any residential building over 18 metres tall, with at least seven storeys and two or more homes.

Under the Act, Accountable Persons must:

• Register buildings with the Building Safety Regulator
• Create and update a Safety Case Report
• Demonstrate how they are managing safety risks
• Apply for a Building Assessment Certificate

These steps aim to prevent tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire by making building safety a clear legal duty.

Our tools are built to support Accountable Persons and duty holders as they carry out this work — offering structured workflows, document management, evidence tracking, and oversight tools to support full compliance.

Better Materials and Construction Practices

Sustainability starts with materials and methods. Responsible choices in the early stages of a project have long-term implications for both safety and environmental performance. Platforms that enable documentation and traceability of these choices are helping teams take a more transparent, evidence-based approach.

Recycled and Natural Materials

Common sustainable options include:

• Recycled aluminium and steel for decking and frames
• Natural stone, which is long-lasting and low-toxicity
• Fire-rated composite decking, which meets UK safety standards

By recording choices and certifications in our platform, users can demonstrate that these materials support both safety and sustainability in their high-rise developments.

Timber and Hybrid Structures

Mass timber (e.g. CLT, glulam) is increasingly used in tall buildings. With the right fire treatment and design, it can be both safe and sustainable. Iconic projects like Mjøstårnet (Norway) and HoHo Wien (Austria) show what’s possible.

Our platform allows users to track and update the data associated with material choices, including supplier certifications and performance information.

Fire Safety: From Design to Ongoing Management

Fire safety is a legal and moral responsibility. Managing fire protection strategies from design through to operation requires clear plans, regular checks, and well-documented actions.

Keeping Fire Contained

Effective fire strategies rely on compartmentation and the correct use of materials. Teams can use our tools to document features such as:

• Fire stopping and sealing works
• Cavity barriers
• Compartment layouts

This provides a digital record for future audits or inspections.

Fire Doors and Exits

Ensuring escape routes are protected by certified fire doors and kept clear at all times is a basic but essential safety measure. Regular inspections should be carried out to check door condition, closing mechanisms, signage, and the surrounding areas. Any faults or issues must be addressed promptly, and a record of all inspections, maintenance actions, and replacements should be maintained for accountability and compliance.

Evacuation Planning

Every high-rise building should have a clearly defined evacuation strategy. Depending on the design and fire risk profile, this may involve a ‘stay put’ policy or a full evacuation approach. It’s important that these strategies are regularly reviewed, updated, and communicated to all residents and building users. Plans should include designated refuge areas, details of evacuation lifts, and clear instructions for those with limited mobility. Signage must be visible, compliant, and maintained throughout the building.

Detection and Suppression Systems

Smoke alarms, heat detectors, carbon monoxide sensors, and sprinkler systems all play a vital role in limiting the spread and impact of a fire. These systems must be tested regularly, serviced by competent professionals, and replaced when they reach the end of their operational life. Compliance with standards such as BS 5839 ensures systems are correctly installed and maintained. Clear logs of maintenance activity should be kept to support regulatory inspections and internal reviews.

Smarter Design and Adaptable Buildings

Safe building design is not static — it evolves over time. Developers and asset managers must constantly assess how structural changes, refurbishments, and new technologies impact the building’s fire and safety performance. Even sustainable features like green roofs, solar panels, or new insulation must be evaluated for their effect on fire resistance, evacuation strategies, and maintenance access. All modifications should be documented clearly and assessed for their risk impact.

Safer Building Cores

The use of dual-stair cores in tall buildings is increasingly encouraged, particularly in higher-risk buildings, as it offers redundancy in evacuation routes. This approach improves resident safety and helps emergency services operate more effectively. Regular checks should be made to ensure stairwells are kept clear, free from damage, and properly maintained, with lighting and signage that meet current regulations.

Lift and Stair Strategy

Evacuation lifts should be clearly identified, regularly tested, and supported with backup power where required. Refuge spaces must be equipped with two-way communication systems and be accessible to all building users. Staircases, meanwhile, should be consistently reviewed for structural soundness, lighting, slip resistance, and ease of use. Any building work that affects these elements should include a risk assessment to ensure the original escape strategy remains effective.

Modular and Flexible Design

Modular construction offers many sustainability benefits, including reduced waste, lower carbon emissions, and future adaptability. However, modular elements must still meet safety standards for fire resistance, structural integrity, and access. When adapting or replacing modules, it is essential to track what has been installed, when it was modified, and how changes may affect adjacent systems or fire separation zones. Documenting this accurately enables safe ongoing management and compliance.

Managing Safety Day-to-Day

Once a building is occupied, the challenge shifts to maintaining safety across all systems and spaces. This includes routine inspections, reactive maintenance, performance monitoring, and updates in response to changes in legislation or building use. Duty holders must ensure their safety management system is active, proportionate, and regularly reviewed. Leadership involvement, clear roles and responsibilities, and proper training are key to ensuring that safety is maintained throughout the building’s lifecycle.

Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Users can build a Plan-Do-Check-Act system within the platform, setting policies, tracking actions, and recording improvements. This supports both legal compliance and continuous performance review.

Maintenance and Checks

Regular inspections are essential. Our platform allows users to schedule, log, and verify checks for:

• Fire doors
• Emergency lighting
• Alarms and detectors
• Escape routes

All entries are timestamped and stored securely, helping users prove due diligence at any time.

Working with Contractors

Contractor oversight is critical, especially during building work or refurbishment. MosaicGT allows users to record competence checks, job scopes, and certifications, helping ensure third-party teams meet the required safety standards.

Looking Ahead: Key Trends

The future of tall buildings is defined by innovation. Emerging trends include:

• Smart sensors and IoT to monitor fire systems, air quality, and structural health
• Retrofitting to meet modern safety and energy standards
• Climate-responsive design, such as shading, ventilation, and flood resilience
• Circular construction, where components are designed for reuse or recycling

Conclusion

Safe and sustainable high-rise buildings are essential to the future of urban living. While developers, contractors, and building owners are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining them, MosaicGT provides the digital foundation for their success.

Our platform supports those responsible for higher risk buildings by offering the tools to monitor performance, document safety measures, and maintain compliance. Whether it’s new construction or ongoing building work, MosaicGT helps users stay on top of safety obligations while working toward sustainable outcomes.

If you’re looking to streamline your building safety processes and reduce risk, we’d be glad to show you how our system can help.