Does your golden thread meet BSA requirements?
Use this checklist to verify your golden thread information management system complies with the Building Safety Act 2022, the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 (which set the design and construction phase duties) and the Higher-Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2024 (which set the occupation phase duties). Failure to maintain the golden thread can lead to enforcement action and criminal prosecution.
Format requirements
Your golden thread must meet all of the following format requirements:
- Digital format - paper records are not sufficient
- Accessible - authorised persons can access it when needed
- Searchable - information can be found and retrieved efficiently
- Version controlled - changes are tracked with dates and reasons
- Plain English - understandable by non-specialists
- GDPR compliant - personal data handled lawfully
- Secure - protected against unauthorised access, loss, or corruption
- Transferable - can be handed over to a new duty holder
Design and construction phase content
If your building is in the design or construction phase, the golden thread must include:
- Full design documentation and drawings
- Fire safety strategy and fire engineering assessments
- Structural design information
- Construction control plan
- Change control log (all changes categorised as major, notifiable, or minor)
- Dutyholder competence declarations
- Mandatory occurrence reports
- Building regulations compliance evidence
- Inspection records
Occupation phase content
If your building is occupied, the golden thread must additionally include:
- As-built drawings and documents
- Health and safety file
- Safety case report
- Residents' engagement strategy
- Complaints log
- Mandatory occurrence reports (keep these as part of the golden thread)
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Fire risk assessment
- Key Building Information provided to BSR at registration
Common compliance failures
| Issue | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Paper-only records | The golden thread must be digital. Scanned paper documents alone do not meet the searchable and version-controlled requirements. |
| No version control | Every change must be recorded with date, reason, and who made it. A folder of files without change tracking is non-compliant. |
| Incomplete handover | When responsibility transfers (construction to occupation, or between duty holders), the full golden thread must transfer. Gaps in the record are the responsibility of the transferring party. |
| Missing change control log | All design changes after Gateway 2 must be logged and categorised. BSR will check this at Gateway 3. |
| No access controls | The golden thread must be secure against unauthorised access, but accessible to those who need it. Both over-restriction and under-restriction are problems. |
Create and maintain the golden thread (full guide)
Comprehensive guide to golden thread requirements throughout the building lifecycle, including system selection, content requirements, and handover procedures.
Hand over the golden thread at building completion
How to prepare and execute the golden thread handover from construction to occupation.