Building Safety Act 2022: What is the Golden Thread?
Understanding the Building Safety Act 2022 Golden Thread requirements for fire door records. Learn what digital documentation you need, how to implement QR code tracking, and meet your compliance obligations.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significant changes to how buildings in the UK are managed, including the concept of the Golden Thread – a requirement for digital record-keeping of building safety information. For fire door management, this has major implications.
What is the Golden Thread?
The Golden Thread is a legal requirement under the Building Safety Act 2022 that applies specifically to Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). It requires that building safety information is created, maintained, and managed in a digital, accurate, and accessible form throughout the building’s lifecycle. This includes:
- Design and construction information
- Safety-critical components and systems
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Changes and modifications
The goal is to ensure that anyone who needs building safety information can access it – from building managers to emergency services to the Building Safety Regulator.
Important: While the Golden Thread is a statutory requirement only for HRBs, adopting digital record-keeping represents good practice for fire door management in any building with fire safety obligations.
Which Buildings are Affected?
The Building Safety Act 2022 primarily targets Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs):
A Higher-Risk Building is one that is at least 18 metres in height or has 7 or more storeys, and contains at least two residential units.
However, the principles of good record-keeping apply to all buildings with fire safety obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, even where Golden Thread requirements do not legally apply.
Applying the Golden Thread to Fire Door Management
For fire doors, applying Golden Thread principles means maintaining comprehensive, digital records that demonstrate installation, condition, inspection, and ongoing management of these safety-critical assets.
Asset Register
- Unique identification for each fire door
- Location within the building
- Fire rating (FD30, FD60, etc.)
- Installation date
- Manufacturer/supplier details
Inspection Records
- Date and time of each inspection
- Inspector details and competency
- Findings and measurements
- Photos and evidence
- Pass/fail status
IgnisTrack automatically compares measured door gaps against BS 8214:2016 recommended tolerances (note: BS 8214 is a code of practice providing guidance, not statutory law) and generates an initial compliant or non-compliant indication. Final assessment remains with the inspector, who can override the result where professional judgement or site-specific conditions apply. All overrides are logged as part of the audit trail.
Maintenance Records
- Remedial work carried out
- Components replaced (seals, closers, etc.)
- Contractor details
- Certificates and warranties
Audit Trail
- Who accessed records and when
- Changes made to documentation
- History of door modifications
Implementing QR Code Tracking
QR codes provide a practical way to implement Golden Thread principles for fire doors.
While QR codes are not a statutory requirement, they provide a practical and scalable method for implementing Golden Thread principles by ensuring accurate identification and instant access to fire door records.
Benefits of QR Codes
- Unique identification for each door
- Instant access to door history via smartphone
- No specialised equipment needed to scan
- Durable – can be printed on labels or tags
- Scalable – works from 10 doors to 10,000
What to Include
A fire door QR code should link to:
- Door reference and location
- Fire rating and key specifications
- Last inspection date and result
- Inspection history
- Responsible person contact
Placement
QR codes should be positioned:
- On the door frame (hinge side)
- At eye level
- Protected from wear (laminated)
- Not obscuring fire door signage
Digital vs Paper Records
For Higher-Risk Buildings, the Golden Thread requires building safety information to be managed digitally. Reliance on paper-only systems is unlikely to meet regulatory expectations for accessibility, accuracy, and auditability.
| Paper Records | Digital Records |
|---|---|
| Easily lost or damaged | Backed up and secure |
| Difficult to search | Instantly searchable |
| No audit trail | Full change history |
| Hard to share | Accessible from anywhere |
| Outdated quickly | Updated in real-time |
Building Safety Regulator Access
For Higher-Risk Buildings, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) may request access to fire door records at any time. You must be able to provide:
- Complete asset register
- Inspection history for any door
- Evidence of remedial work
- Competency records for inspectors
- Risk assessments
Failure to provide adequate records can result in enforcement action, including compliance notices and potential prosecution.
Information must be provided in a form that is clear, current, and reasonably accessible to the BSR upon request. Note that the BSR’s enforcement powers apply specifically to Higher-Risk Buildings; other buildings remain subject to enforcement under the RRFSO by local fire and rescue authorities.
Practical Implementation Steps
1. Audit Current Fire Doors
- Survey all fire doors in the building
- Record locations, types, and conditions
- Assign unique references
2. Establish Digital System
- Choose appropriate software (like IgnisTrack)
- Set up asset register
- Configure user access and permissions
3. Implement QR Codes
- Generate unique codes for each door
- Print and attach durable labels
- Link to inspection system
4. Train Staff
- Inspectors need to use digital tools
- Facilities teams need access to records
- Management needs reporting capabilities
5. Regular Reviews
- Inspect doors per schedule (minimum annually)
- Update records after each inspection
- Address defects promptly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incomplete records – missing doors or historical data
- Inconsistent naming – different references in different systems
- No photo evidence – words alone don’t prove condition
- Delayed updates – records not updated after remediation
- Access restrictions – key personnel can’t access when needed
Timeline and Enforcement
Higher-Risk Buildings must register with the Building Safety Regulator and demonstrate Golden Thread compliance.
The Building Safety Regulator has been operational since April 2023. Registration deadlines and compliance requirements for Higher-Risk Buildings have been phased in, with transitional arrangements in place. Always check current BSR guidance for the latest deadlines and requirements.
How IgnisTrack Supports Golden Thread
IgnisTrack fire door inspection software provides:
- Digital asset register for all fire doors
- QR code generation for door tracking
- Mobile inspection with photo evidence
- Automatic timestamps and audit trails
- Cloud storage for secure access
- PDF reports for regulators and auditors
The software is designed specifically for UK fire door compliance, with BS 8214:2016 recommended gap tolerances and component inspection workflows built in.
IgnisTrack supports compliance management and record-keeping but does not replace the need for competent inspection or professional judgement.
Conclusion
The Building Safety Act 2022’s Golden Thread requirement represents a significant shift toward digital building safety management. For fire doors, this means:
- Digital records are legally required for Higher-Risk Buildings (and represent best practice for all buildings)
- Asset tracking (like QR codes) provides unique identification
- Inspection history must be complete and accessible
- Audit trails prove who did what, when
- Regular updates keep records current
Implementing these requirements now, even for buildings not yet in scope, is good practice and prepares you for likely future extensions of the regulations.
This article provides general guidance on the Building Safety Act 2022. Specific requirements and timelines should be verified with the Building Safety Regulator (HSE) and appropriate legal/professional advisors. Requirements may change as secondary legislation is enacted.
IgnisTrack provides Golden Thread-ready fire door management. Start your 14-day free trial today.
