Return to the top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To search all text on this page<\/p>\n On Windows – Press Ctl+F<\/p>\n On Mac – Command+F<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_css_before=”color:#000000;” custom_css_main_element=”color:#000000;” custom_css_after=”color:#000000;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]PDF page for printing This site is suitable for a wide range of users, with technical information [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font_size=”24px” custom_margin=”14px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Project Details” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-13px|||||” custom_padding=”7px||7px||true|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Chapter list and navigation” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_padding=”8px||18px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#E09900″ divider_weight=”13px” module_id=”home1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”10%” max_width_tablet=”13%” max_width_phone=”25%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font_size=”21px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|10px|5px|10px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font_size=”21px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|10px|5px|10px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font_size=”21px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|10px|10px|10px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font_size=”21px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”5px|10px|0px|10px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”16px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#E09900″ divider_weight=”13px” module_id=”chapter1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”10%” max_width_tablet=”13%” max_width_phone=”25%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Condensed||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”37px” text_line_height=”40px” header_text_color=”#ffa300″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]The importance of information[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The average building, from inception to use, generates many Gigabytes of information – from design specifications, costings and drawings to post-occupancy evaluation and in-use costs. The data comes in many forms, graphical and non-graphical, documents and planning process data and models.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Different data types (Technical level 1)” open_toggle_text_color=”#12788e” open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#12788e” closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#000000″ open_icon_color=”#000000″ module_class=”bullet_list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A non-exhaustive list might include :<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”5px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All construction projects have complex supply chains. It is common to have 50-70 specialist contractors and sub-contractors, including cladding and timber specialist suppliers, manufacturers and installers. Most projects involve a large number of low value transactions. In many types of built projects 25% of the subcontracting arrangements are of values below \u00a310,000 (BIS study, 2013<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>).<\/p>\n As a consequence, information requirements and the volume of exchanges are vast, interactions complex and building processes vary and need to adjust to circumstances. Construction activities inevitably have interactive complexities and tight coupling among systems, i.e. a high degree of interdependence. Information and data collected are often fragmented, incomplete and inaccessible.<\/p>\n The statistics for information capture in construction are patchy, yet key for the owner to efficiently and effectively manage a building, in operation as well as in maintenance and refurbishment.<\/p>\n Anecdotal evidence suggests a high percentage of projects have no complete documentation, be it on \u2018as-built\/as designed\u2019 information or mandatory health and safety files (a mandatory requirement since 1994). Many investigations confirm that it is unclear whether the information shared with owners at completion of a project reflects design intent, as constructed, or as completed status of a built asset.<\/p>\n Failure to record and report key information can have far-reaching and potentially catastrophic consequences. The tragic fire at Grenfell has shown the perils of poor accountability, particularly in relation to specification and potential changes to design or construction activities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#E09900″ divider_weight=”13px” module_id=”chapter2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”10%” max_width_tablet=”13%” max_width_phone=”25%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Condensed||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”37px” text_line_height=”40px” header_text_color=”#ffa300″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]The UK\u2019s Building Safety Act[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullet_list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Building Safety Act<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em> was granted Royal Assent in April 2022, becoming an act of parliament and enforced as law. It delivers far-reaching reforms, giving residents and homeowners greater rights, powers and protections. The building safety act specifically addresses the importance of appropriate information collection and transfer.<\/p>\n The practical implementation of the Act is the responsibility of The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>). To support its implementation, secondary legislation is in the process of being drafted under the Building Safety Act 2022. This is not expected to be published before 2024.<\/p>\n The Act creates three new bodies (the Building Safety Regulator<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>, the National Construction Products Regulator<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em> and the New Homes Ombudsman scheme) to provide oversight of all buildings, with a special focus on high-rise buildings.<\/p>\n Following recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>,<\/span> the Building Safety Act has introduced requirements for key information to be recorded and submitted in a formal record for the design, construction and occupation phases.<\/p>\n For each stage it requires:<\/p>\n The \u2018golden thread\u2019 information is submitted by Dutyholder\/Accountable person<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em> and\/or Building Safety Manager at key stages during the build process:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] The \u2018golden thread<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>\u2019<\/span> is to ensure that that the \u2018the right people have information to support compliance with all applicable building regulations at the right time\u2019.<\/p>\n The \u2018golden thread\u2019 principles<\/strong><\/p>\n The golden thread principles for key information management requirements have been outlined by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em> as:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”The ten points of the \u2018golden thread\u2019 (Technical level 1)” open_toggle_text_color=”#12788e” open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#12788e” closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#000000″ open_icon_color=”#000000″ module_id=”chapter2″ module_class=”bullet_numbered_list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||21px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_divider color=”#E09900″ divider_weight=”13px” module_id=”chapter3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”10%” max_width_tablet=”13%” max_width_phone=”25%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Condensed||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”37px” text_line_height=”40px” header_text_color=”#ffa300″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Information requirements<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Many publications are available to give generic advice on the implementation of the \u2018golden thread\u2019 for buildings. A summary of key information to be considered is shown below:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullet_list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||17px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Maintenance requirements, quality and workmanship expectations. The performance of a product or fire-separating element can be severely undermined by poor installation. In the event of a fire, poorly installed or maintained components can lead to spread of the fire and compromise fire safety provisions. For example, any significant gaps in the line of a cavity barrier can lead to fire spreading through the cavity, circumventing compartmentation provisions.<\/p>\n Key fire safety information and considerations in timber buildings.<\/strong> Joints between assemblies must be tight to prevent flames and hot gases penetrating through the construction during the required fire resistance period. It is therefore essential that any joints and gaps are filled with a suitable product that is fire-rated for the required fire resistance period.<\/p>\n Fire protective panels<\/strong> Gaps in panels that are backed by timber and are greater than 5 mm are considered to increase the charring rate of the timber members, so any gaps greater than 5 mm should be reported to the designer for reassessment of the fire protection.<\/p>\n Where multiple panel layers are used to form the fire-resisting element, the joints between adjacent panels should be staggered by at least 60 mm in order to avoid a continuous joint being created, and each panel should be fixed individually to a structurally competent material.<\/p>\n Insulation<\/strong> Junctions between elements<\/strong> Penetrations and openings<\/strong> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#E09900″ divider_weight=”13px” module_id=”chapter4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”10%” max_width_tablet=”13%” max_width_phone=”25%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Condensed||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”37px” text_line_height=”40px” header_text_color=”#ffa300″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Quality control and workmanship[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Quality control processes at each trade interface are vital to underpinning the fire safety strategy of any building. Contractors and installers must have sufficient and continuous training to understand the requirements for achieving the fire safety features of their work and follow an audit and checking process during the installation and modification of any fire critical elements of construction.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Auditing processes (Technical level 1)” open_toggle_text_color=”#12788e” open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#12788e” closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#000000″ open_icon_color=”#000000″ module_id=”chapter2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Processes that enable installations to be traced back to the company responsible can take the form shown below, by STA.<\/p>\n![\"Print](\"https:\/\/timberfiresafety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/PDF-Icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Project Details” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” background__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” background_color__sticky=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_color__sticky=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font_size=”24px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
levels 1 and 2 available on closed toggles<\/p>\nTechnical level 1\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 Technical level 2\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
The importance of information<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n
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The UK\u2019s Building Safety Act<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n
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Information requirements<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n
Quality control and workmanship<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timberfiresafety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screenshot_402.jpg\")
\nFigure 1: The Golden Thread<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullet_numbered_list_spacing” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||16px||false|false” custom_padding=”5px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n<\/ol>\n
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\n General<\/td>\n Timber specific<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Specification: Construction products, materials, components, information, including key performance characteristics, including fire<\/td>\n Generic, key design features ensuring the performance of timber construction, such as sole-plate details, moisture management, differential movement provisions, fire performance features, treatments, durability provisions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Plans: How to manage performance, fire and other issues<\/td>\n \n
In order to prevent the spread of fire within, and to other parts of, the building, the builders and trades people should be able to easily identify the fire separating elements and eliminate or at least pay careful attention to any requirements for joints between assemblies and penetrations for building services or other openings.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timberfiresafety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Picture2plank.png\")
<\/p>\n
Fire protective panels should be mechanically fixed using nails, staples or screws. The installer should pay careful attention to the edge distances of fasteners to avoid cracking the panel and the possibility of reducing the fire protection period. Fasteners should be installed at spacings not less than the table below unless other suitable fire test evidence is available. Note UK practice can differ from this and will rely on test evidence to support larger spacings.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timberfiresafety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Picture3tablev2-2.png\")
Table 2: Typical fastener spacings for different panel products (From prEN 1995-1-2 Final Draft)<\/span><\/p>\n
Insulation over or between structural timber elements can be used to improve the fire performance of a building element or prevent the spread of flames and hot gases through the construction, but they must be fixed appropriately in order to prevent premature failure. Where insulation is used in inclined or horizontal assemblies, such as floors, the insulation should be mechanically fixed.<\/p>\n
The junctions between fire protecting elements of the building should be tightly jointed as far as reasonably possible. Gaps at junctions that are less than 5 mm should be covered by suitable with protective panels or filled with a fire rated filler product. Gaps at junctions that are greater than 5 mm should be protected by tightly fitting mineral wool insulation Through the full thickness of the construction element.<\/p>\n
Penetrations of service installations and other openings in separating elements should be avoided where possible and detailed appropriately where they are unavoidable. Ideally, mechanical and electrical services should have a separate zone inside the fire protection to allow routing without penetrations. In areas of fire-rated openings, a lining should be applied to the reveal over the entire thickness of the separating element and joints should be tightly butted or filled. Holes for cables that penetrate fire separating elements should be filled with a fire-rated sealant for the full depth of the fire protection. Sockets switches and recessed electrical junction boxes in fire protecting lining should be protected by the following means:<\/p>\n\n
\n Models: Building as planned<\/td>\n Generic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fire statement: Fire service access, fire fighting water accessibility<\/td>\n This is generally applicable, see Fire-fighting access and facilities<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/a>\u00a0for further information.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Construction control plan: How compliance is achieved and changes controlled<\/td>\n Generically applicable. Timber supply-chain partners should be identifiable and their guidance on how to maintain and inspect timber components available for access.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timberfiresafety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Picture3insert-215x300.png\")
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