SAFETY, SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, recent years have One of the most prominent changes was of the ‘Golden Thread’ concept, now enshrined in law for higher-risk
W
ith The Higher Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc) (England) Regulations 2023 awaiting parliamentary approval,
and potential for the benefits of the Golden Thread to influence other building types in future, these responsibilities may become even more stringent. So, as legislation continues to evolve, there is an opportunity for individuals throughout the supply chain to get to grips with how they can effectively implement and manage the Golden Thread of information.
Understanding the Golden Thread
The Golden Thread concept emerged from Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent post-Grenfell review of existing regulations, in which she highlighted significant shortcomings in the industry’s approach to safety and accountability.
Aiming to increase traceability, it mandates a comprehensive digital record of a building’s lifecycle – from its design and construction, to occupation and maintenance. This ensures that those responsible for building safety can access the most up-to-date information, when they need to, to make better informed decisions. At JELD-WEN, as a manufacturer of internal doorsets, we believe that by leveraging new technologies to support adoption of the Golden Thread, the industry can significantly enhance the effectiveness of a building’s safety systems, and ultimately improve standards for the residents within it.
The Golden Thread concept offers significant opportunities to improve building standards, including:
• The ability to trace components back to their source, for effective remediation if a product is ever compromised;
• Clear documentation of inspections, decisions, and actions increases accountability from all parties involved throughout the building’s lifecycle;
• With comprehensive data at their fingertips, facility managers can introduce more effective preventative maintenance strategies; and
• Transparent safety information can help build trust with occupants and demonstrate a commitment to their wellbeing.
For instance, without a standardised approach to data collection and management, there is an increased potential for error when information is shared between different systems and stakeholders. We believe the industry needs a mandated solution across the board, to reduce complexity and, more importantly, ensure consistency.
More onerous systems inherently require additional resources to manage, which, in turn, increases the financial burden on businesses - particularly smaller firms with limited budgets. Crucially, proper implementation necessitates comprehensive training, while collecting, maintaining and updating required information adds another layer of administration. While a named Accountable Person has a legal responsibility to keep this up to date, there is still a concerning lack of understanding from wider duty holders, regarding their shared role in implementing and maintaining the Golden Thread within a given property. Recent research underscores these challenges. A JELD-WEN survey of 450 building professionals found that over a third (35%) had a lack of understanding as to where responsibility for fire safety lies in the supply chain. This uncertainty has led to low confidence in fire safety compliance – particularly amongst landlords, property managers and contractors – while more than half of all respondents believed that more guidance should be made available.
We believe that greater transparency throughout the supply chain is needed to improve modern fire door practice, and we continue to collaborate with other manufacturers, industry bodies and customers to provide solutions that support the journey to ultimate compliance.
This has resulted in our introduction of a new data pin system, which is now installed across all Certifire doorsets, allowing for the Golden Thread to be implemented from the manufacturing stage.
It means details about the door’s exact specifications and performance are stored accurately for future reference, including technical information, warranties and certification. These records can be easily
34 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2024
updated and supplemented over time, ensuring the Golden Thread remains unbroken throughout the door’s lifecycle. What’s more, building managers can set up reminders for scheduled inspections, and have easy access to a simplified dashboard of information on-demand, through a free, user- friendly app.
This allows for easier and more efficient facility management of a building, ultimately creating a safer environment for the people within it.
Looking ahead
The Golden Thread represents a significant shift in how the industry approaches building safety and information management in the construction industry. However, it should not be viewed simply as a regulatory requirement; it’s a moral imperative and a pathway to creating safer living spaces.
As the industry adapts to this new level of responsibility, collaboration and knowledge- sharing is key. Future developments could see the roll-out of more stringent regulations in lower-risk and non-residential buildings, and further integration of AI in facility management. The more informed we are now, the better prepared we will be in years to come. By embracing the Golden Thread, leveraging new technologies, and working in collaboration to improve standards at every stage, we can ensure that safety continues to be one of the most fundamental aspects of how we design, construct and maintain the built environment.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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