Understanding how to use the golden thread to avoid fines and delays is now essential for anyone involved in the design, construction or management of a higher-risk building. Since the Building Safety Act 2022came into force, the golden thread has become a legal requirement rather than a recommendation. The purpose of the golden thread of information is to keep safety-critical building information accurate, accessible and easy to maintain throughout a building’s life. When used correctly, it reduces risks, prevents legal issues and helps projects progress without unnecessary disruption.

This guide explains the golden thread in clear terms and shows how it can be used to support compliance. It also looks at how the golden thread helps with risk management, regulatory approvals, fire safety and the responsibilities placed on building owners, duty holders and every accountable person involved.

What the Golden Thread Means and Why It Matters

The golden thread became a central part of building safety after Dame Judith Hackitt’s review into the Grenfell Tower fire. Her findings showed that the construction industry had long-standing problems with record keeping, information sharing and change control. Important details were either missing, incomplete or stored in ways that made them hard to find. These problems made it harder to keep people safe.

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced a clearer legal structure to deal with these issues. The golden thread brings all the relevant information about a building’s design and construction together into a digital record. This includes structural details, fire safety information, changes made during construction and evidence that the work meets building regulations. It must stay updated throughout the building’s life so the Building Safety Regulator can check that safety standards are met.

The golden thread is not a single file. It is a long-term record that grows over time. Designers, contractors and building owners must all contribute to it and keep it accurate.

Who Is Responsible for Keeping Golden Thread Information Up to Date

Responsibility for the golden thread shifts as the building moves through different stages, but it must always have someone in charge.

During design and construction

The Principal Designer and Principal Contractor are responsible for gathering, verifying and storing technical information. They must make sure that design decisions, installation details and any changes that happen during the build are recorded properly. Their role is to ensure the golden thread is accurate from the start, especially for information linked to fire safety and structural safety.

After the building is occupied

The accountable person takes control once people move into the building. Their responsibilities include:

• Updating the digital record
• Keeping all relevant information current
• Looking after safety case reports
• Sharing information with residents
• Providing details to contractors and the Building Safety Regulator when required

The accountable person must also make sure the building continues to meet safety requirements. If the golden thread is not maintained, the accountable person may face enforcement action or delays in receiving required certificates.

What Needs to Be Included in the Golden Thread

The Building Safety Act 2022 outlines the type of information that must be captured throughout the design and construction of a building, along with what is needed after occupation.

Design and construction information

This includes the original intentions for the building and how it was meant to operate. Key information includes design documents, specifications for fire safety systems, structural calculations, as-built drawings, product details and records of any changes that happened during construction. These details help show that the work complies with building regulations.

Safety information for ongoing management

Once the building is in use, the golden thread must hold updated safety information such as fire risk assessments, maintenance records, inspection reports and servicing logs. It should also include details that help residents understand fire safety arrangements and how to report risks.

Documents needed for regulatory checks

Gateway submissions rely on clear and complete information. This includes evidence of compliance, explanations of design choices, safety strategies and accurate descriptions of how risks are controlled. Without these details, Gateway approval can be delayed.

All documents must be stored as a digital record so information is secure, organised and easy to retrieve when needed.

How Accurate Records Prevent Fines, Delays and Legal Issues

The golden thread is based on the idea that good information helps prevent problems. When records are clear and reliable, regulators can check compliance more quickly, building owners can respond to safety risks, and duty holders can show that decisions were made responsibly.

Reducing enforcement action

The Building Safety Regulator can issue stop notices, compliance notices or financial penalties if information is missing or incorrect. Maintaining an accurate golden thread reduces the chance of these actions being taken because it shows that risks are being managed.

Speeding up Gateway approvals

Gateway delays often occur when documents are inconsistent or out of date. If the design intentions do not match the as-built information or change records are unclear, regulators may not accept the application. A well-organised golden thread helps prevent these problems by showing that the project has followed the correct design and construction processes.

Protecting duty holders from legal claims

If an incident happens and safety information cannot be produced, duty holders may face legal action. Good record keeping strengthens the evidence available and supports the argument that all reasonable measures were taken to keep the building safe.

Keeping accurate records is one of the simplest ways to reduce legal and financial risk.

Using the Golden Thread to Strengthen Risk Management

The golden thread is not only a compliance requirement. It is also a tool that supports risk management throughout a building’s life. When all relevant information is stored in a single place, it becomes easier to understand the condition of the building, identify hazards and decide what action is needed.

A clear and well-maintained golden thread helps identify missing product information, highlight safety gaps and reduce the likelihood of rework. It also helps teams communicate more effectively because everyone is working from the same verified information. This improves decision-making and leads to safer buildings.

How the Golden Thread Helps Prevent Delays

Delays in construction or occupation often come from information problems. When records are stored in different formats, managed by different teams or not kept up to date, it becomes difficult to prove compliance. Regulators cannot approve a gateway submission if the information is unclear.

A good golden thread helps prevent delays by:

• Keeping information linked to each stage of the project
• Ensuring design and construction records match
• Making change control easy to follow
• Supporting smooth handovers from construction to operation

If information is accurate and easy to follow, the Building Safety Regulator can complete checks more quickly and issue approvals without unnecessary disruption.

Fire Safety and the Role of the Golden Thread

Fire safety sits at the centre of the golden thread. Information such as fire strategy details, compartmentation layouts, escape routes, fire doors, detection systems and evacuation procedures must be kept clear and complete. If this information is missing, regulators cannot confirm that the building is safe.

Building owners and accountable persons rely on fire safety information to plan inspections, manage repairs and keep residents informed. Without confident knowledge of how fire protection systems were installed and tested, it becomes much harder to carry out safe maintenance.

Failure to maintain accurate fire safety information can lead to fines or serious legal consequences, which is why it is a core part of the golden thread.

Digital Systems That Support the Golden Thread

The golden thread must be kept as a digital record. Many organisations now use online systems to manage this, which makes it easier to store information securely, track updates and search for relevant information.

Platforms like the MosaicGT app support building operators by offering a structured way to store safety documents, building plans, inspection dates and other key records. These tools help ensure nothing important is overlooked, although they do not replace legal responsibilities. They simply help keep everything organised so duty holders can focus on meeting their obligations.

Digital systems also support collaboration by allowing different teams to access consistent information. This reduces errors and improves the overall quality of record-keeping.

Keeping the Golden Thread Accurate Over Time

For the golden thread to remain useful, it must be updated regularly. This includes recording new inspections, logging maintenance work, updating drawings when alterations are made and reviewing safety information to make sure it remains accurate.

The accountable person plays a central role in managing this process. They must make sure information is shared with those who need it, including residents, contractors and regulators. They must also check that the digital record is complete and that any changes to the building are added in a timely way.

Keeping the golden thread up to date supports long-term safety and reduces the chance of regulatory issues later.

Conclusion: A Clear and Practical Way to Avoid Fines and Delays

Understanding how to use the golden thread to avoid fines and delays is now essential for anyone working with higher-risk buildings. By following the principles of the golden thread of information, maintaining accurate records and ensuring information flows properly at each stage of the building lifecycle, duty holders and building owners can reduce risks, support compliance and keep people safe.

A well-maintained golden thread helps the Building Safety Regulator review projects more efficiently, supports fire safety strategies and prevents avoidable delays. It also helps create a safer and more organised building environment by ensuring that relevant information is always available when needed.