The golden thread is the digital record of information about a higher-risk building in England. During design and construction the client must create and maintain an electronic facility holding it, and the people designing or carrying out the work must be able to use it. Once the building is occupied, each accountable person must keep the golden thread information and documents listed in Schedule 1 to the Higher-Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2024.
- Applies to
- Higher-risk buildings in England
- Design and construction
- Client keeps the electronic facility
- Occupation
- Each accountable person keeps Schedule 1 information
- Storage
- Electronic, transferable without loss
- Changes
- Record who changed it and when
The client adds the designs, the approved plans and documents, and the evidence of compliance to the facility before construction (or the relevant stage of it) begins, then keeps it up to date as the work changes. Before applying for a completion certificate the client hands the specified golden thread information to the relevant person, who confirms in writing that they can access it and that it is enough to understand, operate and maintain the building and its fire safety systems.