VIEWPOINT DIGITAL
IN THE AFTERMATH of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, the construction industry’s perspective on safety and compliance underwent a significant transformation to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Dame Judith Hackitt’s inquiry into the disaster highlighted the urgent need for a revamped regulatory framework for building management and safety. This led to the establishment of the Building Safety Act.
Granted royal assent in 2022, a substantial portion of the Building Safety Act emphasises enhancing the processing, storage, and sharing of information within the construction sector. This concept, known as the ‘Golden Thread of Information’, has compelled many construction companies to review and improve their operational practices.
Decoding theThread The golden thread was announced in Dame Judith Hackitt’s report ‘Building a safer future’ and can be summed up as the right people, having the right information at the right time. It
SAFEGUARDS Jimmy Collins, Head of Technical – UK and ROI, Knauf UK
enterprising solution in the form of Knauf Planner Suite - System Finder.
should be maintained throughout a building’s entire lifecycle, detailing any construction works and how it meets applicable building regulations. It has also been created to identify, understand, manage and mitigate safety risks as and when they appear.
Having a golden thread of information means that the relevant people will be able to access accurate and up to date information with ease. It must be started before any building work commences, and kept updated throughout the design and construction process. Once the building work is completed, the golden thread is then handed over to the principle accountable
person or the accountable person for a high-rise residential building. During the design and construction phase this can include the Principal Designer or Contractor, but once the build has been completed, the information about the building can also be requested by residents or owners of residential units in the building.
A major aspect of maintaining the golden thread is keeping cohesive digital records, and the report emphasises that the information must be stored digitally. It is therefore imperative that the correct software is available to designers and contractors to make the entire process easier and safer.
Ensuring Safe Construction Embracing digital innovations in the construction industry can bring many benefits, including the ability to maintain the golden thread effectively and
subsequently enhance the safety of any project. Identifying the need for smart, user-friendly software within the design of a building’s fabric, Knauf developed its
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A three-in-one resolution for simple product and system searches, immediate supporting data and Drywall Specification Documents, Knauf Planner Suite – System Finder can be accessed directly in Revit and ArchiCAD, or used as a simple web app. Knauf Planner Suite - System Finder allows for the search and addition of validated products and systems directly to projects via browser or Revit and ArchiCAD. Products can be searched for based on requirements such as fire resistance, sound insulation or moisture protection.
All objects in Knauf Planner Suite – System Finder are based on the latest technology and have data validation, ensuring the products being used have the most up to date and accurate data. Full specification documents can be produced and downloaded, increasing productivities and creating efficiencies in specification. Additional benefits include the ability to compare different systems, as well as favouriting frequently used systems, making it easier to access them for future projects.
By providing seamless access to precise information and promoting effective collaboration, software solutions like Knauf Planner Suite – System Finder not only optimise workflows but also maintain the integrity of the golden thread. As the construction industry pursues improved safety measures, utilising advanced technologies such as Knauf Planner Suite – System Finder is essential for preventing future disasters and ensuring the highest standards of building safety compliance. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2024
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