Building safety: have your say on Hackitt’s ‘golden thread’ of building information

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24 August 2020

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The Chartered Institute of Building, in collaboration with i3PT, is running a survey to investigate the built environment sector’s understanding of the digital ‘golden thread’ of information and whether the industry has the capability and capacity to deliver it.

A key recommendation of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future report (see Chapter 8) and now embedded in the draft Building Safety Bill which is expected to become law in 2021, the golden thread is intended to “ensure that the right people have the right information at the right time to ensure buildings are safe and building safety risks are managed throughout the building’s lifecycle”.

On behalf of the profession, we have consistently stated that the golden thread is one of the essential preconditions for Building Safety Managers (a new statutory role likely to be fulfilled by FMs) and estate managers under the new stricter building safety regime. The golden thread will help to ensure better decision making and create a clearer chain of accountability across the sector.

IWFM fully supports the aims of the survey and would encourage members engaged in the management of higher risk buildings to participate in order to ensure that their views are fully represented. 

Although questions relate to changes in UK legislation, the issues raised are relevant internationally and responses are also welcome from overseas members.

The survey highlights key aspects of the golden thread that businesses will need to consider, such as communication throughout supply chains and the potential investment required in personnel and technology in order to ensure compliancy. These are some of the many facets of the forthcoming building safety regime for which businesses should already be making preparations.

The deadline for the golden thread survey is 4 September (the link is here): results will be shared with industry and government later this year.

If you would like any further information on the survey or to share your views on building safety, please email: [email protected]