How Robust Information Management Creates Safer, More Compliant Buildings

How Robust Information Management Creates Safer, More Compliant Buildings

The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 represented a landmark shift in the UK construction and property industries, placing a much-needed emphasis on resident safety and the integrity of our built environment. While the Act introduces specific duties and stringent requirements, particularly for high-risk buildings (HRBs), the process of successfully navigating the path to compliance doesn't have to be burdensome – in fact, it can actually improve performance and profitability.  

Adopting robust Information Management (IM) processes, facilitated by Building Information Modelling (BIM) principles, offers a clear route for contractors to meet their legal obligations under the Act while unlocking significant operational efficiencies and long-term value.

To see a more detailed overview, including insights from our Technical Lead, Alex Cousins, on this topic, watch our webinar recording: The Building Safety Act 2022 –  What It Means for Information Management

For in-depth discussion on other trends in digital construction, browse our schedule of upcoming webinars  

Meeting the 'golden thread' and gateway requirements

Two central pillars of the Building Safety Act for HRBs are the 'golden thread' of information and the mandatory gateway points, and effective information management is fundamental to successfully addressing both.  

The golden thread requires a digital, accurate, accessible, and securely maintained record of all crucial building information, spanning from initial design right through to occupation and ongoing management. This isn't just a data dump – it's a live, reliable resource.  

Established IM frameworks, such as the ISO 19650 standards we discussed in our webinar, provide the essential structure, standardisation, and collaborative processes needed to build and maintain this golden thread effectively. These frameworks ensure information is accurate, trusted, secure, understandable, and shareable – directly aligning with the core principles of the golden thread and facilitating a vital single source of truth.

Similarly, the Act mandates three key gateways for HRBs – planning (Gateway 1), pre-construction (Gateway 2), and completion/handover (Gateway 3). Each requires specific, verified information to be submitted to the Building Safety Regulator for approval before work can proceed or a building can be occupied.  

IM processes streamline this significantly, enabling the systematic collation, validation, and management of required documentation, including plans, competence declarations, control plans, fire and emergency files, and as-built data, and ensuring timely and compliant submissions at each critical stage.

Enhancing Building Safety Through Accurate, Accessible Data

The core purpose of the Building Safety Act is to ensure the integrity of buildings in order to protect occupants. Effective information management is key to this aim, ensuring critical safety information is not only captured but is also accurate, current, and readily available to those whose work relies on it.

As highlighted in the Hackett report, in the past, failings have often stemmed from incomplete, inaccurate, or inaccessible paper-based records. IM combats this directly, ensuring duty holders, Building Safety Managers, and emergency services have swift access to reliable data when needed most. This can include information regarding fire safety strategies, material specifications, structural details, risk assessments, and maintenance records, informing better decision-making and proactive risk management.

Reducing risk throughout the building lifecycle

Historically, a major challenge has been the degradation of information quality after project handover, leading to increased operational costs and risks. Information management, particularly the concept of developing a Project Information Model (PIM) during design and construction that transitions into a living Asset Information Model (AIM) for operation, works to prevent this decline.  

By maintaining data integrity past handover, organisations can see significant improvements across key areas of building construction and management:

• Coordination: Reduces errors and rework during design and construction.

• Handover: Allows faster, more reliable transfer of critical information.

• Operations: Improves facilities management and targeted maintenance planning with accurate asset data.

• Risk: Mitigates the dangers and costs associated with decisions made using poor or outdated information.

• Asset management: Provides a foundation for long-term strategic planning and even considerations around the circular economy at end-of-life.

As we can see, the benefits of effective IM extend beyond compliance – by implementing these processes, designers, contractors and owners can drive tangible efficiencies and reduce risk throughout a building's entire lifecycle.

Collaboration and clarity for duty holders

Clear lines of responsibility for various 'duty holders' (clients, principal designers, principal contractors) are mandated by the Building Safety Act, but without the right data, it’s impossible to execute these responsibilities effectively.

Common Data Environments (CDEs), a cornerstone of modern information management, provide the solution – a central platform for sharing and managing project information, coupled with agreed standards for data structure, naming conventions, and processes (like those in ISO 19650). Essentially, a CDE ensures that all stakeholders on a project – at any phase – are working from the same playbook.  

The common language and standards that form part of a CDE clarify who needs to provide what information and when, support the specific duties outlined in the Act, and provide vital traceability for decisions and changes made throughout the project.

Ready to master the Building Safety Act?

Implementing robust Information Management is far more than a tick-box exercise for the Building Safety Act, it’s a strategic investment that directly enables compliance, enhances building safety, drives operational efficiency, reduces long-term risk, and fosters essential collaboration, contributing to a safer built environment.

If you’re looking for guidance or support in any area of IM, from introducing a Common Data Environment to upskilling teams to defining the ‘golden thread’ of information, Majenta provides the experience, expertise, and resources you need. Get in touch using the link below to discuss your next project.

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