BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM)

FIRESTOPPING

The Golden Thread refers to a digital record-keeping process ensuring that accurate and up-to-date information about a building's design, construction, and maintenance is maintained throughout its lifecycle. This is especially critical for fire safety systems.
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The inclusion of firestopping systems in the project's BIM model ensures compliance with the UK Government's Golden Thread mandate, as outlined in the Building Safety Act of 2022. Here’s how:

• Comprehensive Digital Record: 3D firestopping models provide detailed, precise representations of the materials and techniques used for compartmentation, a crucial aspect of fire safety. Including this information ensures that the design stage matches the as-built and operational stages, maintaining the thread of accuracy.
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• Compliance and Traceability: The Golden Thread promotes accountability by requiring clear records of decision-making and installations. A BIM model with firestopping systems ensures that compliance with fire safety regulations (e.g., Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations) is demonstrable. During inspections or handovers, 3D models provide visual evidence and documentation of the fire safety strategy.
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• Collaboration and Coordination: The 3D model centralizes firestopping data, enabling architects, engineers, and contractors to coordinate effectively, preventing errors or overlooked areas that might compromise fire safety compliance.
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• Risk Mitigation: Digital firestopping systems reduce the risks of non-compliance by ensuring that fire barriers and other critical safety measures are appropriately designed, installed, and verified.
  

Some other benefits of including 3D modelling of firestopping are as follows:

• Support for Building Safety Inspections: With firestopping systems clearly modeled in 3D model, inspectors can quickly and efficiently verify compliance with fire safety regulations.
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• Support for Maintenance and Retrofitting: Over a building’s lifecycle, the Golden Thread requires that safety-critical information remains accessible. A 3D model ensures that future maintenance teams or renovators can identify firestopping systems' locations, specifications, and interactions with other building systems without guesswork.
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• Alignment with Legislative Goals: The mandate prioritises safety, accountability, and clear communication across the entire supply chain. Firestopping models directly support this by ensuring life-saving systems are fully integrated, documented, and communicated to relevant parties.
  

Growing Intuition Technical Consulting (GITC) can handle the 3D modelling of firestopping on your upcoming or live project. We can also carry this out retrospectively by referencing record documents such as Inspection Test Plans (ITPs) and/ or carrying out site surveys.

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PACKAGE MODELLING AND BIM MANAGEMENT

GITC are highly skilled in the delivery of BIM modeling and COBie (Construction-Operations Building Information Exchange) data integration. Whether your project involves architecture, structure, MEP, or any other discipline, our team is equipped to provide tailored solutions that meet your specific requirements.
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We can also carry out BIM modelling and management of other packages including COBie data input across any discipline. Get in touch with us to discuss your project's needs.