What is the golden thread ?

The 2018 “ Building a Safer Future ” report , commissioned by Dame Judith Hackitt , noted that existing building and fire safety regulations and processes for constructing high-rise buildings were “ not fit for purpose ”.

The report ’ s primary recommendation was a move towards digitisation of product information , dubbed the golden thread . It encourages effective and accurate storage and management of information concerning buildings ’ designs , construction , and uses .

By connecting architects , engineers , contractors , manufacturers , and building owners , the golden thread fosters transparency and collaboration . It ensures that all work not only meets regulatory standards but also enables the identification and management of any safety risks throughout the building ’ s lifecycle .

This approach is a fundamental shift in how the construction industry approaches safety . It provides a safeguard against siloed practices , where vital information could be lost or overlooked , leading to potentially catastrophic consequences .

By maintaining a comprehensive and integrated digital record , the golden thread helps ensure that safety remains at the forefront of every stage of a building ’ s life , protecting both the structure and its occupants .

Challenges for the industry persist

The report highlighted the shortcomings of the industry , with Hackitt ’ s foreword calling out cultural issues across the sector , including ignorance , indifference to implementation , lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities , and inadequate regulatory oversight and enforcement tools .

Six years on , and the problem remains . Recent research by the Construction Leadership Council ( CLC ) has shown a widespread lack of understanding within the manufacturing industry over the nature of keeping a digital record and how it could be achieved .

In fact , 92 % of product manufacturers do not see digitisation as a major concern and more than half “ see no need to digitise ”. 85 % of companies still provided product information largely

via pdf or hard copy only and only 8 % have ever made or commissioned a Building Information Modelling ( BIM ) object .

Just over half of respondents felt they were digitised to some extent , but even when provided with the definition of digitisation , few of the respondents fully grasped and understood what it meant in practice .

Even among those who consider themselves partially digitised , there is often a fundamental misunderstanding of what true digitisation is . Many equated digitisation with using computers or having online systems , rather than understanding it as a comprehensive approach to maintaining and integrating critical

safety information throughout a building ’ s lifecycle .

Digitisation is also set to form part of the requirements under the Building Safety Act 2023 . Those working in the construction industry urgently need to implement the golden thread approach to ensure they are complying with the new laws .

The risks of siloed practices

The consequences of siloed practices have been fatal . The Grenfell disaster was a stark reminder of this danger . Dr . Barbara Lane ’ s supplemental report on the Grenfell disaster revealed that none of the 106 fire doors replaced in 2011 complied with ADB 2013 Building Regulations . Alarmingly , fire door closers had been disconnected , potentially exacerbating the fire ’ s spread and obstructing residents ’ escape routes - a tragic mistake that cost lives .

Implementing the golden thread

Technological advances now make it easier to maintain the golden thread of information . However , digitisation alone isn ’ t enough . There is also a shortage of workers trained to understand the entire lifecycle of safety products like fire doors .

Fire Door Maintenance , part of UAP , is training the industry to bridge this knowledge gap . It ’ s the UK ’ s first practical fire door training centre , covering everything from regulation compliance to how and why components were chosen in product engineering and how products are ultimately installed for the end user . By fostering a deeper understanding and ensuring seamless collaboration across the construction process , we can uphold the golden thread .

www . fdmltd . co . uk

Fire Door Maintenance teams up with Blue Sky for on-site inspections and audits . Fire Door Maintenance ( FDM ) is pleased to announce it has now achieved UKAS 3rd party certification with Bluesky Certification for Fire door inspections .

FDM is the first centre of its kind , operating out of a 3,000ft ² Training Academy at UAP Ltd

headquarters , just outside of Manchester ; combining classroom and hands-on experience for installers , inspectors , specifiers , and

fire safety specialists and professionals . Doors and components in the new Training Academy have been provided by Harlow Timber Group , West Port , Latham ’ s Steel Doors , Unity Doors , Permadoor , Strongdor , The Sovereign Group , NSG Group , DoorCo , Rutland , Mann McGowan , Lorient , PDS , and Contactless Check Solutions , IG , GGF , Pilkingtons , Nordan , PWIDF and Specialist Door Solutions .

FDM offers inspections and maintenance of fire doors for clients to complement its course offerings and this latest partnership allows the FDM inspectors to visit clients on site , with the assurance that comes with the Bluesky certification scheme .

Simon Beer , Bluesky Managing Director said : “ Our schemes set out the requirements that you must meet , without specifying how they must be met ,

allowing our customers flexibility and innovation in the way they operate their businesses .”

Nicola John , FDM ’ s Managing Director , adds : “ At FDM we promote the use of 3rd party schemes to independently check the workforce who are carrying out inspections and maintenance on site .

“ We believe this is part of the competence journey of site operatives to be audited regularly to ensure that

standards are being met . “ This innovative approach by BlueSky allows us at FDM to design our inspection programme and records to reflect the changing market and recent legislation .”

FDM achieved the certification on 29th July 2024 following a thorough audit .

Find out more about FDM and its courses at www . fdmltd . co . uk