Government response to the 'Building a Safer Future' consultation: 'Key information related to fire and structural safety submitted during the three Gateways will form part of the golden thread of data, which will be kept up to date and made accessible to relevant people throughout the lifecycle of the building.' |
BIM sets out processes to support the management of information through the whole life cycle of a built asset, from initial design through to construction and operation. BIM has an increasing impact on construction projects and particularly on the creation of more efficient systems for their operation, repair and maintenance.
Dame Judith Hackitt's Independent Review identifies the need for a 'golden thread' of information for all in-scope buildings running through their whole lifecycle, from design and construction through to occupation, so that the original design intent and subsequent changes to any aspect of the building are captured and preserved. A golden thread can use digital tools and systems that enable this information to be stored and used effectively to ensure information is easily available to the right people at the right time. The government is developing the golden thread principles and guidance that will set out requirements as to how information should be managed and stored to support the new building safety regime.
The Construction Playbook requires that 'Operators should be engaged early and continuously' in the project lifecycle and that 'Transition to the operator will include a 'golden thread' of building information to allow safety to be at the forefront of operations.' A whole life collaborative procurement model should provide for the regular updating of information throughout the lifecycle of a building in a format that is secure and accessible, without being limited by proprietary technology or systems.
The Playbook states that adopting BIM will 'improve the performance, sustainability and value for money of projects and programmes allowing for the effective retention and management of the 'golden thread' of building information to be passed on from the design team to the facility operator via the contractor.' It also states that applying the UK BIM Framework involves utilising the BIM standards, guidance and other resources that will deliver BIM interoperability and government soft landings. These include standardised approaches to defining information requirements, generating and classifying data, information security and data exchange.
The 2015 government report 'Digital Built Britain' includes proposals for the 'Development of BIM and asset data enabled FM and AM Contracts- including the FM and AM roles in using and maintaining BIM models'. During occupation and operation, BIM-enabled information should provide dutyholders with a robust evidence base via which to discharge their responsibilities and maintain the safety and integrity of a building while also enhancing decision- making as to the operational issues that need to be addressed.
The Construction Playbook states that a proportional government soft landings ('GSL') approach supported by the UK BIM Framework should be applied to all public works projects. The term 'soft landing' is typically used to reflect a smooth transition from construction to handover and close out and then into operation and end-use. The Playbook explains that a successful GSL approach should be embedded across the project lifecycle, including a period of extended aftercare. Operators should be engaged early and continuously in the procurement processes so that the final building achieves the intended outcomes and wider benefits as quickly as possible.
The Playbook integrates support for BIM with a focus on whole life performance and requires that 'where appropriate, contracts should be written to include clear expectations for completion, maintenance and transition arrangements', with 'a clear understanding of how maintenance will be managed in a timely and efficient manner as set out in the contract'.