FIRE SAFETY
Bridging the Information Gap in Building Safety : The Golden Thread Approach
Nicola John , Managing Director of Fire Door Maintenance , part of UAP Ltd , discusses the importance of the 2018 Hackitt Report “ golden thread ” recommendation , exploring why businesses must address the risks of siloed construction practices as well as strategies for implementing the golden thread principle .
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 .
The golden thread is more than just a record-keeping tool . It is a framework for linking different parties within the construction industry . 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 .
It ’ s clear the industry is still not meeting post-Grenfell regulatory requirements to digitise product information , and widespread training to understand the golden thread is needed before we can put it into practice .
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
Manufacturers , installers , inspectors , and landlords often work in isolation , focusing solely on their tasks without considering the broader impact on other stages of the building lifecycle . This disconnection causes a lack of communication and oversight , with no “ golden thread ” to link all product information throughout construction . Without accessible product data , critical safety issues can remain hidden .
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
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SEPTEMBER 2024
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