3 minute read
Using digital tools to drive a better safer industry
One of the key recommendations of the Hackitt Report was the creation of a digital Golden Thread of information. The purpose is to create a permanent digital record for every building that lasts for its whole lifetime. In practice, it means that all information related to a building, from design through to construction and occupation, is digitally passed along the chain to the relevant people, for example from architect to contractor.
This is so building owners and end users can understand everything about their building, including the construction methodology, the products installed, and the expected levels of quality and performance. Crucially, this information should be readily available, to help with on-going asset maintenance and to manage expectations.
The Golden Thread applies to all buildings within scope of the new building safety regime that was introduced via the new Building Safety Bill in July 2021. Included in the scope are occupied higher-risk buildings — those over 18 metres or seven-storeys with at least two residential units. Manufacturers play an important role in providing this information in a transparent manner.
Digital tools bring safety to the top of the agenda
At Door-Stop, our digital Golden Thread of traceability starts with our bespoke digital ‘Critical to Safety’ framework. This records the multiple production and specification checks carried out on the components and manufacturing processes of each doorset. This helps to ensure that the specification is maintained at every stage of production.
Every doorset is supplied with copies of the full certificate, data sheet and installation instructions, which list the original primary test evidence reports of our product. The label traceability affixed to each doorset means that stakeholders can not only see who the manufacturer was but can also trace their way back to the certificate and access detail of compatible components and specification limitations via a publicly available register. This is a vital link to help stakeholders manage, inspect and maintain the product throughout its lifetime. Primary test evidence is an important factor of third-party certification. Every test sample that we manufacture is witnessed by an independent third-party observer and they verify each component and the full production process.
During this process, the independent witness permanently marks the doorset with traceability marks. These are then verified by the test house and on the sampling report that is included in the final test report. This proves that the product that was tested was the same one that was witnessed and sampled, directly from the production line in our factory.
This directly addresses one of the criticisms within the Grenfell Inquiry; that manufacturers do not provide clarity behind product specifications or around the specification that was originally tested.
This level of transparency is essential if we are to build trust back into the building products industry. So too, is that manufacturers link the gap between the doorset leaving the factory and it being installed on site.
For fire doors and doorsets to perform in line with the specification and certification, they must be installed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. We ship detailed installation guides with every product. We also recommend using third party certified installers to ensure a level of suitable competency and documentation is exercised throughout the installation and maintenance processes. Together, it means that the doorset should perform as intended in an emergency.
We also ship every doorset with a Resident Guide, to help improve fire door safety knowledge among end users. This is so that they are empowered to take a more active role in their own safety and can raise any issues if required. The guide includes a simple checklist that residents can use to check and understand their fire doorset, as well as links to further sources of information if they have any further queries.
The industry is trying to address this issue around transparency too. In September 2021, the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) was launched. Developed by the Construction Products Association (CPA), it sets out five core principles — that all product information must be Clear, Accurate, Up-to-date, Accessible and Unambiguous. Supported by 11 clauses around how information is created and verified, it should help to drive change in the future.
However, it is a voluntary standard. Manufacturers should be driving a more open approach around these critical to safety products anyway. We believe that it should be the minimum requirement for any business that supplies products like these — lives may depend on it.
