What is the relevance of the Golden Thread to building facades?
Introduced by the Building Safety Act (the Act), the Golden Thread ensures that accurate and consistent building information is maintained throughout the lifecycle of higher-risk buildings—typically high-rise residential structures.
For facades, this means that the right people must have the right information at the right time to manage building safety risks from design and construction through to operation.
Although the Act does not list specific documents for the Golden Thread, it mandates that all necessary information be included to demonstrate that the building is safe and complies with regulations. For façade systems, this includes detailed design, performance, and compliance documentation.
What are the HRB Gateways and how do they impact the Golden Thread?
The Gateway system, also introduced by the Act, is a three-stage process that duty holders (the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor) must follow to ensure compliance for HRBs. Each stage involves submitting critical documents, which become part of the Golden Thread:
1. Gateway One – Planning Application:
Focuses on fire safety considerations at the planning stage. A fire statement is required, outlining how fire safety has been incorporated into the building design. This statement is
2. Gateway Two – Pre-Construction:
Construction cannot begin until the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approves the building’s detailed design.
- The Golden Thread includes architectural drawings and specifications, which must demonstrate the safety of the building and how it meets the building regulations.
- The Principal Designer must also outline how Golden Thread information will be maintained, including mandatory reporting of fire and structural risks.
3. Gateway Three – Post-Construction Certification:
Before the building can be registered and occupied, the BSR must certify that it complies with the Act.
- An application must include as-built plans and documents, ensuring that all façade elements have been built as approved and that any deviations from Gateway Two have been documented and approved.
What Information About Facades is Required for the Golden Thread?
At Gateways Two and Three, the BSR requires detailed information to demonstrate the safety and compliance of the façade system, including:
- Gateway Two Submission:
- Full façade designs (including key calculations)
- Test certificates and fire safety data.
- Performance specifications.
- Installation manuals.
- This information must demonstrate that the façade system and its components are safe, compliant, and meet performance standards.
- Gateway Three Submission:
- As-built system details: Any notifiable or major changes from Gateway Two must be documented and must have been approved by the BSR, as required.
- Façade system handover pack: Including maintenance manuals, repair guidelines, and guarantees to ensure ongoing safety management throughout the building’s lifecycle.
A rigorous change control process tracks any revisions during the construction phase to ensure any amendments to the approved Gateway Two submissions are safe and effective, and that the Gateway Three submissions accurately reflect the as-built structure. Any changes to a façade system are likely to be major changes – and therefore subject to BSR approval.
How can Safewall® simplify meeting Golden Thread requirements?
Safewall®, developed by Benx Facades, is an innovative, all-in-one rainscreen façade system designed to meet the stringent requirements of the Building Safety Act:
- Testing and Certification: Safewall®’s extensive portfolio of test data and certifications, allows specifiers to demonstrate compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
- One-stop Source: Benx provides all key drawings, certifications, test data, installation manuals, and guarantees from a single source, streamlining the process of creating the Golden Thread.
- Integrated System: Safewall® includes every component of the façade system, ensuring component compatibility and reducing risks during specification and construction.
By choosing Safewall®, stakeholders can easily create and maintain the Golden Thread, ensuring safety and compliance at every stage—from planning to occupation.