With a fire safety remediation project, the pressure isn’t just about getting the work done, it’s about proving it’s been done properly. That’s where a Clerk of Works comes in. They’re the independent pair of eyes on site, that matter more than ever under the Building Safety Act.
What is the role of a Clerk of Works on a remediation site?
At its core, a Clerk of Works independently monitors construction on site to make sure what’s happening on the ground in terms of actions, materials, and workmanship comply with the drawings, specifications and regulations, to achieve the agreed quality standards.
Think of them as the client’s representative – someone with hands-on experience who knows what good (and bad) workmanship looks like, and isn’t afraid to flag issues.
On a remediation project, that might mean checking that cladding is fixed correctly, that cavity barriers are installed to spec, or that fire stopping has gone in exactly where and how it should. It’s a role that blends technical know-how with people skills – a good Clerk of Works builds strong working relationships with contractors while still holding the line on standards.
How do they bridge the gap between QA/QC and the “Golden Thread”?
The Building Safety Act introduced a requirement for accurate, traceable information throughout a building’s life – the so-called Golden Thread. It’s a valuable safety principle but it does mean care must be taken to generate the evidence that feeds it.
This is where a Clerk of Works comes in. They record inspections and evidence as work progresses, verify that installed products match what was specified, capture photographic records of key stages (especially ones that get covered up later), track any design changes as they happen, and ultimately compile auditable compliance documentation. Rather than the Golden Thread being an afterthought, pieced together at handover, it is a record built in real time – accurate and defensible under scrutiny.
Why is independent oversight critical for regulatory compliance?
When it comes to fire safety, “probably fine” isn’t good enough. Independent oversight ensures fire stopping is installed correctly, compartmentation remains intact and products are installed in accordance with the specification.
The key word here is independent. A Clerk of Works isn’t marking their own homework; they sit outside the contractor’s own QA/QC processes and act on behalf of the client. That separation matters, because it means issues get caught and challenged – before they’re buried behind a wall or plasterboard, rather than discovered years later during a fire risk assessment, or worse, in an actual fire.
The benefits: efficiency, long term value, and occupant safety
Good independent oversight isn’t just a compliance box-tick – it’s valuable. Catching a problem on site, before it’s covered up, is far cheaper and quicker to fix than opening up finished work later. That means reduced rework and fewer defects, which keeps programmes moving and budgets under control.
It also means stronger Golden Thread records, giving Accountable Persons and Principal Accountable Persons real confidence that their compliance documentation will stand up to regulator scrutiny after the scaffolding comes down.
Most importantly, remediation work is to keep occupants safe, and a Clerk of Works is part of ensuring that is delivered upon.