Building safety isn’t just about following rules—it’s about keeping people safe. One of the biggest changes to how safety is managed in the UK is the introduction of golden thread compliance. This requirement ensures that vital information about a building is collected, stored, and updated throughout its entire life cycle, from design to demolition.

In this article, we’ll explain what golden thread compliance means, why it’s now a legal requirement, who’s responsible for it, and how to put the right systems in place. We’ll also highlight the benefits of managing building information properly, both for safety and long-term operations.

What Is Golden Thread Compliance?

The golden thread is a digital, accurate, and accessible record of all essential building information. It helps those in charge of buildings understand and manage important safety details—especially relating to fire and structural safety. For a residential building, this can make the difference between a well-managed property and one with hidden dangers.

This approach was recommended in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future report following the Grenfell Tower fire. Since then, the concept has become law under the Building Safety Act. The idea is simple: if the right people always have access to the right information, they can keep the building and its occupants safe.

But it’s not just a database or a folder of documents. Golden thread compliance means keeping building safety information up to date, secure, and available to the right people at the right time. It prevents data silos in construction, where information gets stuck in different systems or departments and can’t be used when it’s needed most.

This is also referred to as the golden thread of information—a complete, structured, and evolving digital record that ensures clarity and accountability throughout a building’s life.

The Legal Framework and Why It Matters

The Building Safety Act 2022 made golden thread compliance a legal duty for those involved in managing higher-risk buildings—these include residential blocks over 18 metres high or with seven or more storeys.

Several key groups must now take responsibility:

• Clients and developers starting the project
• Principal designers and principal contractors leading the build
• Accountable persons who manage the building once it’s in use

In some cases, a principal accountable person must be named. This individual takes overall responsibility for ensuring that the golden thread remains accurate and up to date during occupation.

These duty holders must follow specific rules, including how they store and share safety information. It must be digital, well-structured, and easy to understand. Without this, you won’t be able to complete vital processes like building control approvals or get a completion certificate.

Failing to follow golden thread requirements is not only a risk to safety—it’s also a legal issue. Those in charge could face penalties or prosecution if the required information is missing or not properly maintained.

Managing Responsibilities Across the Building Life Cycle

Golden thread compliance must be followed at every stage of a building’s life. This means different people take the lead at different times, but everyone must do their part to keep the data accurate and accessible.

Design and Planning

Before building work starts, clients must set up a digital safety record integration system. This will hold all the plans, fire strategies, and safety details. Designers are responsible for making sure the building is planned safely and for documenting their decisions.

A well-organised design and construction phase lays the foundation for effective golden thread management. If safety is built in from the start, the building will be easier to operate and maintain.

Construction

Contractors need to update the golden thread whenever plans change or materials are swapped. This ensures that what’s being built still meets safety rules and matches the original design.

This stage is often where building safety data can become fragmented if systems aren’t connected. That’s why it’s crucial to avoid data silos in construction by using integrated platforms that everyone on the project can access.

Every change made during this stage must be recorded using a structured control process. This helps maintain the accuracy and reliability of the information being passed forward.

Completion and Handover

Once the building is finished, all the digital records must be passed to the person or team who will manage the property. They’ll use this information to apply for a completion certificate and prove that the building meets legal standards.

This transition must include the full golden thread of information, ready to be maintained by the principal accountable person or their team.

Occupation and Ongoing Maintenance

When people start living or working in the building, the golden thread doesn’t stop. The accountable person must continue to manage and update the information, especially after inspections, repairs, or upgrades.

This helps them manage building safety risks effectively and prepare the required Safety Case Reports for the Building Safety Regulator when needed.

What Should the Golden Thread Contain?

While the specific contents will vary between buildings, the golden thread must always include:

• Evidence that the building meets safety rules
• Records of design decisions, materials used, and construction methods
• Notes on changes made during the build and why
• Logs from inspections, tests, and maintenance work
• Up-to-date fire strategy documents
• Any refurbishments or upgrades over time

The key is to keep this information relevant, clear, and structured. Old or outdated records that no longer apply to safety don’t need to be kept—but everything still in use must be up to date.

Key Principles Behind Golden Thread Compliance

To be effective, the golden thread must follow several key principles. These aren’t just suggestions—they reflect what’s needed for legal and practical compliance.

First, the information must be accurate. Every change must be recorded, with a reason, date, and name of the person responsible.

Second, the system must be secure, with controlled access. Only those with permission should be able to update or view sensitive safety information.

Third, the golden thread must be easy to access. It should be well organised so that users—whether they’re contractors, building managers, or emergency responders—can find what they need quickly.

And finally, it must be consistent and understandable. Using standard formats and plain English helps prevent confusion and keeps everyone on the same page.

Avoiding Information Silos with the Right Tools

One of the biggest challenges in golden thread compliance is managing large volumes of data across different teams and systems. Without the right setup, data silos in construction can form. This happens when design information is stored in one system, construction updates in another, and maintenance records in yet another—making it hard to get a full picture of the building’s safety.

At MosaicGT, we support clients with systems that bring all this information together. Our tools are designed for digital safety record integration, helping everyone—from architects to maintenance teams—access the same data source.

We help ensure that your golden thread is:

• Digital from the start
• Connected across departments
• Easy to update and secure
• Built to last for the building’s entire life cycle

This approach also helps when the building is sold, or new people take over management. The golden thread must be transferable and readable, even years later.

Why Golden Thread Compliance Is Good for Business

Although it’s required by law, golden thread compliance also offers major business benefits. It improves how buildings are managed, reduces risk, and supports smarter decisions.

For example, having a full, up-to-date digital record means you can:

• Plan maintenance more efficiently
• Quickly respond to safety concerns or inspections
• Reduce insurance costs with stronger evidence of compliance
• Build trust with residents and stakeholders

It also makes it easier to meet future regulatory demands. As rules continue to tighten, having robust systems in place now can prevent costly upgrades later.

Getting Ready for Golden Thread Compliance

If you’re involved in property development or management, the time to act is now. Start by reviewing your current systems—are you keeping building safety data in a structured and digital format? Is that data easy to access and update?

You may need to introduce new tools, train your team, or improve how departments share information. It’s not enough to have a digital folder on a shared drive—golden thread systems must be built for long-term use and aligned with your legal duties under the Building Safety Act.

We recommend working with experienced partners who understand both the technical and legal side of compliance.

A Safer Future with Better Information

Golden thread compliance is changing how the built environment operates—for the better. By keeping accurate, digital, and accessible records, we can create safer buildings and more transparent relationships with those who live and work in them.

At MosaicGT, we believe that safety should be built into every stage of a project. That’s why we help our clients stay ahead of legal changes, avoid data silos in construction, and deliver long-term value through digital safety record integration.

As this new approach becomes standard across the UK, those who invest in strong systems now will be better placed to lead, grow, and, most importantly—keep people safe.