The Golden Thread of information
What is the Golden Thread?
The Golden Thread of information, born from the aftermath of the Grenfell fire tragedy, is a concept that tracks key building information for the entire lifecycle of a building.
It encompasses all necessary details from design stages, through to construction and maintenance of the building. It serves as a live digital record accessible to all stakeholders and ‘responsible persons’ to ensure the safety of those who frequent and occupy the building. The initiative, mandated by legislation such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Fire Safety Bill, aims to promote transparency and effectively encourage change within the industry.
Who does the Golden Thread impact
To find out more about what the Golden Thread is and how it impacts key stakeholders in the construction process download our Quick Guide, below.
Manufacturer
Manufacturers must embrace the values of transparency, accountability, and information-sharing. They should:
- Provide accurate and comprehensive information about their products
- Provide clear documentation on the compliance of their products with relevant regulations and standards
- Provide evidence of robust quality control measures and performance testing
- Consider the entire lifecycle of their products and provide information on maintenance, repair, and end-of-life considerations
Accountable persons
Identified in the ‘Building a Safer Future’ report, the “Accountable Persons” has ultimate accountability for the safety of the building and is held liable if safety standards are not met or there are failures in compliance. In residential buildings, it may be the building owner, while in commercial or public buildings, it is often the building or estate manager. They must:
- Ensure the building complies with relevant building regulations and fire safety standards
- Identify hazards and implement measures to mitigate them
- Collaborate with all other stakeholders involved in the design, construction, and management of the building
- Oversee regular maintenance and action necessary repairs or upgrades promptly
- Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, including evacuation procedures
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records relating to the building’s safety, including documentation of inspections, maintenance activities, and any modifications made to the building
- Communicate with building occupants regarding safety measures, emergency procedures, and anything else that may impact their safety and wellbeing
‘Golden Thread. How it impacts the specification journey’ CPD course
Our RIBA accredited CPD course outlines what the Golden Thread is, why it was introduced, its effect on the changes in legislation and finally its impact on stakeholders within the entire lifecycle of a building.
For more information or to book a course,
Going digital with Openings Studio
The Golden Thread is an entirely digital process. The concept facilitates a collective approach of digital record keeping ensuring seamless compliance throughout the building life cycle.
Openings Studio offers an easy-to-use software, allowing all project participants to contribute to the ‘Golden Thread’ by uploading crucial assets such as fitting instructions, guarantee documents, specifications, and maintenance information. This collaborative approach ensures the comprehensive documentation of relevant information, enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Openings Studio has been developed with the ‘Golden Thread’ in mind, it’s a cloud base, BIM-plugin interoperable tool for the creation, visualisation, modification and management of door openings. Find out more about how Opening Studio can benefit you on your next project.
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The construction products association (CPA)
The Construction Products Association (CPA) is a leading organisation that represents champions of construction product manufacturers and suppliers.
They have compiled a document which, in detail, outlines how manufacturers should provide information. The below link will take you to the CPA website where you will be able to download this document.
Find out more information
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