Golden thread definition

The Policy paper 'Building Regulations Advisory Committee: golden thread report' published 21 July 2021, explains that the golden thread is both the information that allows you to understand a building and the steps needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future.

The report gives, the full definition of the golden thread as being:

1. "The golden thread will hold the information that those responsible for the building require to:
   1. show that the building was compliant with applicable building regulations during its construction and provide evidence of meeting the requirements of the new building control route throughout the design and construction and refurbishment of a building
   2. identify, understand, manage and mitigate building safety risks in order to prevent or reduce the severity of the consequences of fire spread or structural collapse throughout the life cycle of a building
2. The information stored in the golden thread will be reviewed and managed so that the information retained, at all times, achieves these purposes.
3. The golden thread covers both the information and documents and the information management processes (or steps) used to support building safety.
4. The golden thread information should be stored as structured digital information. It will be stored, managed, maintained and retained in line with the golden thread principles (see below). The government will specify digital standards which will provide guidance on how the principles can be met.
5. The golden thread information management approach will apply through design, construction, occupation, refurbishment and ongoing management of buildings. It supports the wider changes in the regime to promote a culture of building safety.
6. Building safety should be taken to include the fire and structural safety of a building and the safety of all the people in or in the vicinity of a building (including emergency responders).
7. Many people will need to access the golden thread to update and share golden thread information throughout a building’s lifecycle, including but not limited to building managers, architects, contractors and many others. Information from the golden thread will also need to be shared by the Accountable Person with other relevant people including residents and emergency responders.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Building a Safer Future
• Building Safety Act
• Building Safety Regulator.
• Building safety.
• Fire Safety Act.
• Golden thread index.
• Golden thread principles.
• Grenfell Tower fire
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
• Hackitt review of the building regulations and fire safety, final report.