Building Safety Act 2022
The Golden Thread of information has been introduced as part of the Building Safety Act to ensure that those involved in a building's life cycle, from design and construction to ongoing maintenance, create and maintain a comprehensive record of all safety-critical information.
Introduction
The Golden thread of information
Applying the golden thread of information
Using the golden thread of information
The storage of information making up the golden thread
Additional considerations when applying the golden thread
Preparing for the golden thread of information
Summary of what information that must be managed
Conclusion
Introduction
The building Safety Act 2022 was introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and subsequent report by Dame Judith Hackitt’s looking at the Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
It is the most fundamental and important reform of regulation across the construction industry and residential building sector since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974.
The Building Safety Act (BSA) has transformed the law relating to the design and construction of all buildings and the operation of higher risk residential buildings. It will impact on the work of everyone in the construction sector and in time, may well evolve as a piece of legislation to encompass more than the residential and mixed-use residential buildings and higher risk buildings.
The Golden thread of information
The Golden Thread of information has been introduced as part of the Building Safety Act to ensure that those involved in a building's life cycle, from design and construction though to ongoing maintenance, create and maintain a comprehensive record of all safety-critical information.
This centralised digital database, easily accessible to authorised personnel and it ensures transparency and accountability throughout the building's lifespan. It is important to acknowledge that the lifespan of the building includes the demolition of buildings as part of repurposing land.
‘The golden thread is both the information that allows you to understand a building and the steps needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future’.
The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC)
Applying the golden thread of information
The aim of the golden thread of information is to act as the single source of truth for all stakeholders and interested parties insofar as how the history of the building is recorded and should include:
Plans and technical drawings.
Design decisions and the justification for the design.
Technical construction details and build methodology.
All legal documents relating to the building.
Warranties
Maintenance schedules and logs
Safety evaluations
Significant design changes throughout the lifecycle of the building
Evidence of competency in work carried out and workmanship.
This can be categorised into two key areas that that weave the golden thread of information though the lifecycle of the building.
Building work information:
design details, materials, construction processes, and compliance with regulations.
Maintenance information:
records of inspections, repairs, modifications, and anything impacting building safety.
Using the golden thread of information
Having established what information must be captured within the golden thread, the next element to look at is what the information is to be used for. The golden thread will act is a trusted source of information for first responders in cases of emergency and will allow first responders to act swiftly and effectively based on accurate and trusted information.
This can be summarised as:
Helping assess and manage building safety risks to prevent hazards such as fires and collapses.
Establishing trust and accountability by showing that regulations have been followed throughout the building's existence.
Transparency though ease of information sharing with all stakeholders whilst promoting accountability in building safety.
Informed decision making though accurate and readily accessible information which empowers stakeholders to make smart decisions regarding design, construction, maintenance, and safety.
Risk mitigation by recording safety assessments, mitigation measures, and maintenance records helps proactively manage and minimise safety risks.
The storage building information making up the golden thread
How information is stored will vary from building to building and the Building Safety Act is not prescriptive in defining how this is to be achieved. However, the act does stipulate the information must be stored electronically and must be easily accessible and also future proof.
Data can be stored manually as a hard copy also, but careful consideration should be given as to how the information will evolve and grow throughout the lifecycle of the building if a hardcopy is to be kept up to date.
Suggested storage methods for the golden thread of information are:
Building Information Modelling (BIM): software that makes a digital copy of a building, helping with 3D visualisation and finding clashes for better planning and coordination.
Document Management Systems (DMS): these software solutions streamline the management of electronic documents, offering features like version control and powerful search functionalities for efficient information retrieval.
Cloud Storage Platforms: these platforms provide a centralised repository for storing building documents and other information, ensuring easy access from any device with an internet connection.
Additional consideration should be given to factors such as the project complexity and stakeholder requirements for use of information by individuals and organisations such as Accountable Persons (AP’s) and Principal Accountable Persons (PAP’s).
Who will need to access the information and how, once occupancy of the building has taken place?
Additional considerations when applying the golden thread of information
For the golden thread of information to be successful, it is important all those involved are appropriately trained, aware of their responsibilities and competent at implementing and managing the golden thread.
This can be summarised as follows:
Those responsible, such as clients and contractors who must formally create, maintain, and share building information by legal obligation of the act.
The accuracy of information within the golden thread will rest upon designated individuals known as duty holders – Accountable Persons (AP), Principal Accountable Persons (PAP), Client, Principal Designer, Designer, Principal Contractor and Contractors.
The Golden Thread will demand ongoing maintenance and upkeep to ensure the information remains accurate and reliable over the lifecycle of the building.
Who is responsible for the Golden Thread of information
During the design stage and subsequent construction stage. Responsibility is as follows:
Clients
Individuals or organisations commissioning the project.
Principal Designers
Individuals or organisations overseeing the design process.
Principal Contractors
Individuals or organisations managing the construction process.
During the occupation phase responsibility fall to:
Duty holders and accountable people which can be individuals or organisations, corporate bodies and partnerships.
Preparing for the golden thread of information
Preparation is the key to successful implementation of the golden thread of information and you will be better placed to ensure successful project delivery if you make the following considerations ae early as possible:
Assess digital readiness
Evaluate your infrastructure and personnel expertise to identify potential gaps. Invest in training and technology if required.
Collaborative workflow
Work with stakeholders and duty holders to establish clear procedures for gathering, updating, and managing information within the Golden Thread.
Policies and procedures
Define roles, responsibilities, access controls, and protocols with stakeholders and duty holders for maintaining accurate information.
Quality control
Establish regular reviews and verification procedures to ensure the Golden Thread reflects the progress of building during construction and occupancy.
Communication
Engage clients and designers and other duty holders to secure their support and collaboration throughout the implementation process.
If you take these steps as early on as possible in the project, ideally during design and concept phase, you will have a greater chance of heading off any potential problems that manifest as the project evolves. This will ensure a successful project and a safer built environment post contract an for the lifecycle of the building.
Summary on information that must be managed
The specifics of what information will be required will be governed by the type, size and complexity of the project, local planning regulations and all applicable building regulations but can be broadly summarised as follows:
Design details
Architectural drawings, specifications, fire safety plans, and material data sheets, forming the blueprint for building construction.
Construction documentation
Progress reports, quality assurance documents, and any relevant permits ensure a well-documented construction process.
Operational information
Fire risk assessments, fire and structural safety, user manuals, and equipment instructions equip building occupants with essential information for safe operation.
Maintenance history
Records of inspections, repairs, and replacements provide a clear picture of the building's upkeep and potential concerns.
If the project team are trained and competent, prepare and create an action plan as early as possible within the project timeline, the golden thread of information will become a valuable asset that ensures successful project delivery and a safe building for the whole lifecycle of the building.
Conclusion
The Building Safety Act is a significant and critical step in enhancing building safety in the UK and in particular, higher risk buildings, residential buildings and mixed-use residential buildings. The golden thread of information is an integral part of ensuring that building safety is enhanced in the UK.
The Building Safety Act leaves no doubt: Competence is an ongoing pledge to uphold safety and regulatory requirements throughout all building project stages, completion and occupancy.
Competence is not only key – it’s the law
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Yorkshire Health and Safety
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