Created: 27th January, 2026
Gareth joined Barker in 2024, based in our Essex head office.
He is a Chartered Civil Engineer with more than 20-years’ experience in Civil Engineering solutions & has lead both Civil & Structural Engineering teams on projects from conception to project delivery, with values exceeding a billion pounds both nationally and internationally.
He holds a deep understanding of Infrastructure Engineering, focused on a value led design ethos to complex situations, which has allowed the positive integration of infrastructure into coordinated design masterplans across all sectors.
RICS has issued a Practice Alert following recent statements from the UK Government, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) regarding the potential risks associated with reinforced concrete transfer slabs in buildings.
While there is no evidence of building collapse in the UK linked to transfer slabs, regulators have raised concerns about a specific failure mechanism, punching shear, that could, in certain circumstances, lead to localised or partial collapse. This has prompted increased scrutiny of buildings where transfer slabs may be present.
This insight explains what transfer slabs are, why they are under review, and crucially, what building owners and managers should do now.
A transfer slab is a structural floor slab designed to transfer loads from columns above to a different column layout below. In simple terms, a column on an upper floor sits on a thickened reinforced concrete slab, rather than lining up directly with a column beneath it.
They are commonly found where designers need flexibility at lower levels, for example, to create large open spaces such as entrance lobbies, retail areas or car parks while supporting residential or office floors above.
The focus is on a specific structural behaviour known as punching shear. This is a failure mode where a heavily loaded column can effectively “punch” through a slab if the slab is inadequately designed, detailed or constructed.
The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) published industry guidance in 2024, followed by further clarification in December 2025, to address the historical lack of consistent guidance in this area.
The UK Government and BSR have since highlighted punching shear in transfer slabs as an emerging building safety issue, particularly in taller buildings.
Importantly:
Building owners and, under the Building Safety Act, Principal Accountable Persons (where applicable) have a duty to understand and manage structural safety risks.
This does not mean commissioning intrusive investigations immediately. It does mean:
RICS has made clear that where there are visible signs of distress, known design concerns, or uncertainty about the structure, professional advice should be sought without delay.
Transfer slabs are not always obvious. However, indicators can include:
RICS notes that chartered building surveyors may be instructed to carry out condition surveys to identify whether transfer slabs are present.
For more modern buildings where Construction Issue or As Built information is available, a desktop review is an option to confirm if the arrangement/ geometry of concern is present.
If they are identified, a suitably experienced structural engineer will be required for further assessment.
Immediate professional advice should be sought if you observe:
Absence of visible distress does not automatically mean there is no risk, but it does help inform a proportionate response.
If a transfer slab is confirmed:
RICS recommends that IStructE be consulted when identifying engineers with appropriate expertise in this specialist area.
This is a specialist structural issue. You should look for:
RICS has established an online information hub and FAQs specifically for transfer slabs, which will be updated as further government-commissioned research emerges.
IStructE’s technical guidance provides the detailed engineering framework underpinning current concerns and assessment approaches.
Both are essential reference points for owners, managers and advisers.
Transfer slabs are not new, but expectations around structural assurance and building safety are. This Practice Alert is about awareness, proportionality, and early engagement with the right expertise, not alarm.
If you are uncertain about your building’s structure or responsibilities, a structured review now is likely to be more straightforward and less disruptive than reactive action later.
For an initial discussion or to sense-check whether further investigation may be required, Barker’s engineering team is always happy to help.
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