The Building Safety Act forms the cornerstone of the UK’s new building safety framework and introduces a critical requirement for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs): the establishment of a Golden Thread of information.
The Golden Thread serves as a single, reliable source of truth—a Common Data Environment—capturing all information relevant to the safety of an HRB and its occupants. It includes details on the materials, products, and systems used; construction methods; installed equipment and services; and all relevant operational and maintenance data.
This guide, produced by Build UK, offers a clear overview of the Golden Thread, which is referenced across four key sets of regulations. It is designed to support a consistent, industry-wide approach to compliance and implementation.
As the Golden Thread is a new and developing requirement, this guide will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the latest regulatory guidance and best practice.
What Should be Included in the Golden Thread?
Building registration information
o Name and address
o Number of residential units
o Height of the building
o Number of storeys above ground level
o Date of completion
Building Control Approval information
o Drawings and plans
o Competence declaration
o Construction control plan
o Change control plan and log
o Building Regulations compliance statement
o Fire compliance statement
o Fire and emergency file
o Client authorisation
o Site location plan including any new drains and sewers
o Drainage precautions
o Arrangements for staged work
o Partial completion strategy where appropriate
Certificates and reports
o Planning statement
o Completion certificate
o Building Assessment Certificate
o Safety Case Report
o Inspection and test reports, including recommendations and actions taken
o Maintenance records and actions taken
o Mandatory Occurrence Reports
o Complaints received and actions taken (within the last seven years)
o Any enforcement action
Inspection regimes
o Statutory inspections required
o Standards to be met
Maintenance information
o Schedule of planned maintenance for building elements and equipment
o Dealing with faults
o Troubleshooting
o Repair and replacement details
o Competence requirements for maintenance personnel
Building safety management documentation
o Evacuation strategy
o Mandatory Occurrence Reporting system – see Build UK guide available to members
As built drawings
o Up to date site location plan including all services
o Photographic records of building elements and installations during the construction
process
o Up to date floor plans
Safety critical Information about the building that cannot be compromised such as:
o Design principles
o Structural elements
o Utilities
o Compartmentation
o Fire safety systems (i.e. alarm systems, evacuation strategy and escape routes, fire
doors, firefighting equipment, smoke vents)
o Electrical systems
o Ventilation systems
o Window security systems
Product specific details
o Certification
o Supplier
o Material content
Refurbishment specific details
o Hidden services e.g. smoke vents
o Passive fire protection e.g. location of fire collars
Demolition specific details
o Loadbearing elements
o Post tensioned elements
o Foundation details
