What It Means for Compliance in the UK 

The concept of the “Golden Thread” is reshaping the very foundations of how we manage building safety in the UK. Brought to prominence in Dame Judith Hackitt’s post-Grenfell review and embedded into law via the Building Safety Act 2022, the Golden Thread represents a vital shift towards structured, digital and accessible fire safety information across the lifecycle of higher-risk buildings. 

With over two decades of experience supporting SMEs and large organisations with fire suppression, Alastair Wilson, Managing Director of Vipond Fire Protection (part of Chubb Fire & Security), Director of Chubb Fire Mechanical & BAFSA Vice Chair (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) and leading voice on the Golden Thread at Chubb, looks at how the Golden Thread is evolving, and how fire safety partners like Chubb can help duty holders navigate the practicalities of compliance. 

A Digital Backbone for Building Safety 

The Golden Thread refers to an unbroken line of digital, up-to-date safety information that follows a building from planning and construction through to ongoing occupation and eventual decommissioning. This digital record is a live ecosystem of information, decisions and accountability that enables better, safer decisions to be made at every stage of a building’s life. 

As of October 2023, Golden Thread requirements became a legal duty for those responsible for higher-risk buildings in England that contain at least two residential units, hospitals or care homes.  

Since then, there have been further updates and clarifications from the Building Safety Regulator, especially in how data should be structured and maintained. A strong emphasis is now placed on interoperability, ensuring digital systems can talk to one another and information is available and usable. 

Even if not legally mandated, the principles of the Golden Thread can be, and should be, used as best practice across other building types. Better information management benefits all buildings, not just those in the high-risk category. 

Why It Matters: Compliance, Culture and Accountability 

The Golden Thread requires building owners and accountable persons to know what fire safety systems are in place, why they matter, and how they’re being maintained. This includes fire suppression, which can be overlooked in broader conversations but plays a crucial role in mitigating risk. 

The Golden Thread also creates a new culture of accountability. Records must now include what decisions were made, who made them and when. This traceability is essential, not just in the event of a fire or audit, but for everyday safety management. And with severe penalties for non-compliance, including criminal sanctions, understanding and embedding this framework is essential. 

The Golden Thread in Action 

The healthcare sector offers a valuable glimpse into how Golden Thread thinking can improve safety outcomes. In the June 2025 issue of Health Estate Journal, a case study details how a large NHS Trust has embraced the digital transformation of its estate data to meet Golden Thread expectations. 

Hospitals are uniquely complex buildings that face constant adaptation, intensive use, and high occupant vulnerability. By applying structured digital records across its fire doors, sprinkler systems and evacuation protocols, the Trust was able to not only pass compliance audits but also respond more effectively to on-site incidents. Fire strategies were available at the click of a button, maintenance history was instantly accessible, and digital red flags prompted proactive inspections, all made possible through a comprehensive Golden Thread strategy. 

How Chubb Supports Golden Thread Implementation 

At Chubb, we see our role as more than just installing and maintaining fire safety systems. We act as knowledge partners, helping clients stay compliant and make sense of evolving legislation. 

1. Digitising Fire Suppression Records

We advise on how to create structured digital information aligned with government standards. This includes everything from system design files and risk assessments to testing records, installation certificates and maintenance logs. 

2. Building Integration with Common Data Environments (CDEs)

Our engineers work with client-side digital design teams to ensure suppression system data is properly integrated into their broader Building Information Models (BIM) or CDEs, so it forms a functional part of their Golden Thread. 

3. Ongoing Inspection and Reporting

We conduct and document routine inspections, such as sprinkler system service and maintenance, foam system tests, cylinder integrity checks and control panel diagnostics. We flag any issues that must be updated within the Golden Thread. This ensures a live, accurate reflection of system health and compliance. 

4. Training and Advisory Services

Many of our clients face challenges in understanding what they need to record, and how to do it. Our team offers consultancy services, particularly for organisations managing legacy estates or struggling with fragmented documentation. 

Meeting the Future Head-On 

While compliance is a driver, the real purpose of the Golden Thread is to change behaviours and ultimately protect lives. It encourages an ongoing dialogue of a building’s fire safety records. And that’s something we at Chubb fully support. 

Fire suppression systems, by design, often operate in the background. They’re quiet, often hidden, and (hopefully) never used. But within the Golden Thread, their presence becomes visible, valued and understood – not just by fire professionals, but by building owners, asset managers and even tenants. 

As specialists in fire safety, we have a responsibility to lead by example and to help our clients turn legislative obligation into operational advantage. 

At Chubb, we’re here to support that journey, system by system, record by record, building by building. If you’d like to know more or need some help understanding the Golden Thread, please reach out. We’re here to help. 

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