The Golden Thread in Construction
The concept of the Golden Thread gained significant attention and urgency in the construction industry following the Grenfell Tower fire in London in June 2017. The Grenfell Tower tragedy, where a high-rise residential building caught fire, resulted in the loss of 72 lives and raised serious concerns about building safety, regulation, and information transparency.
The fire highlighted deficiencies in the construction industry’s approach to documenting and managing building information. Investigators found that crucial details about the building’s construction, including the type of cladding used, were not easily accessible. This lack of transparency and accountability made it difficult to assess the fire risks and take appropriate measures.
In response to the Grenfell Tower fire, there was a call for improved building safety practices, and the concept of the Golden Thread emerged to address these issues. The Golden Thread refers to the structured and standardised flow of information about a building throughout its lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.
The idea behind the Golden Thread is to create a comprehensive and accessible digital record that contains essential information about a building, such as design plans, construction details, materials used, maintenance requirements, accreditations, and certificates. This information is intended to be easily accessible to relevant stakeholders, including building owners, managers, contractors, and regulatory authorities.
The Golden Thread is often defined as ‘digital information that outlines a building and the process needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future.’
For Dorplan, this means following and documenting the lifecycle of our doors. It emphasises the importance of maintaining accurate and accessible information regarding:
- Design and Specifications: Detailed specifications of the doorsets, including fire resistance ratings, materials used, dimensions, and any special features related to fire safety.
- Installation: Information about correct installation procedures, ensuring that fire doors are fitted properly to meet safety standards.
- Maintenance: Guidelines and training for regular inspection, maintenance, and any necessary repairs or replacements to ensure the continued effectiveness of the fire doors.
- Certification and Compliance: Documentation proving that the fire doors meet relevant building codes, standards, regulations, and safety measures.
With the Golden Thread, we aim to enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability in the construction process. In case of emergencies or incidents, having a well-maintained Golden Thread can assist in quickly understanding the building’s doorset structure and systems, aiding in effective response and decision-making. The goal is to prevent similar incidents in the future, contributing to broader efforts to reform building safety regulations and practices worldwide.
To see our Technical Brochures, Accreditations, and Certificates, go to our Resources page – All Resources & Downloads – Dorplan
