The Government has recently published guidance in relation to the Golden Thread of Information for higher-risk buildings, as required under the Building Safety Act 2022. The guidance is aimed at clients, principal designers, principal contractors and accountable persons.

Under the Act, higher risk buildings are defined as those with at least 7 storeys or at least 18 metres high, and have at least 2 residential units (or are hospitals or care homes). These buildings need to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) prior to occupation.

Information about these higher-risk buildings is known as the ‘Golden Thread of Information’, and retention of this information ensures legal compliance and helps duty holders to manage the building. The information should be available in a simple format which is compliant with GDPR. This information will be used by the fire and rescue services, the BSR and other building control bodies.

The guidance stipulates who is responsible for keeping the Golden Thread of Information from the design phase through to building occupation. During the design and construction phase, the various specific responsibilities are:

Client:

• Maintain information describing the building and how it will comply with building regulations.
• Keep a record of how those responsible for building work will comply with their duties.
• Manage construction work to ensure the building is built as planned.
• Share information with each and every designer and contractor involved in the project.
• Securely store the information digitally and provide authorised access.
• Maintain a record keeping system including version control.

Principal Designer:

• Capture and keep all of the design information up to date.
• Work with the principal contractor to ensure the design work is recorded during the construction phase.
• Share information relevant to the building work.
• Communicate with other designers.

Principal Contractor:

• Use the record-keeping system provided by the client to ensure that building information is up to date.
• Work with the principal designer to share information relevant to the building work.
• Communicate with other contractors.
• Assist the client when they need to provide information.
• Maintain evidence that the construction work meets building regulations.
• Work with the design team to manage control changes.

At the end of the construction phase, the client must apply for a completion certificate. To obtain a completion certificate, the client must demonstrate that the Golden Thread of Information has been provided to:

• The principal accountable person or the accountable person for a high-rise residential building.
• The Responsible Person for a non-residential building or non-residential parts of the building.

The building information provided must include:

• All of the information used to apply for building control approval.
• All of the information provided for the completion certificate application.
• The building completion certificate.
• Access and control of the building information.
• The relevant fire safety information to the Responsible Person.

Those provided with the information must confirm they have received it and that it is in a format they can use.

When a building is ready to be occupied by residents, the accountable person or principal accountable person must manage the record-keeping system and retain building information. This includes:

• Health and safety file.
• Safety case and safety case report.
• Residents’ engagement strategy.
• Mandatory occurrence reporting system.
• Details of any refurbishments.
• Information provided by previous owners, such as inspection reports and maintenance records.
• The standards the building was built to i.e. building regulations in force at the time.

They must demonstrate how safety risks are assessed and managed, such as fire or structural failure, and how the fire strategy operates within the building.

On request, the Golden Thread of Information must be provided to the BSR, other accountable persons for the building, residents, and owners of residential units in the building.

Further guidance On Construction Property Project Risks is available via RMworks, Griffiths & Armour’s online risk management portal available to all clients.