Once a network is handed over, the focus shifts to long-term operation and maintenance. This is where property managers face the real test: keeping the system safe, efficient, and compliant while balancing resident expectations and costs.
Unlike handover, where statutory checks are a one-off, maintenance is continuous. Records must be kept up to date, assets inspected and data monitored. This is where the “golden thread” - consistent, traceable information from design through operation - becomes critical. The Building Safety Act (BSA) makes it clear: you’re accountable for maintaining accurate, up-to-date records of all safety-critical assets - and heat networks are firmly in that category.
The Golden Thread now applies directly to how property managers handle heat networks. Every decision, every inspection, every upgrade must be recorded. For higher-risk buildings (HRBs), this is a legal requirement. For others, it’s rapidly becoming best practice.
