ÂŁ3.50 May 2016
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Transforming Here East Page 17
Plasterboard: Why we need to go full circle p5
Legal: The perils of agreement by email p24
Training: On-site is the way to drive change p32
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INSIDE THE MAY ISSUE OF SPECFINISH 04 Voice of the industry: Good reason for optimism 13 Technical: Looking at heritage and decorative plasterwork 14 Office acoustics: An essential consideration at design stage 17 Site visit: Loughborough University campus at the Olympic Park 20 Plasterers’ beads and mesh: Achieving a perfect finish 23 Property report: Keeping an eye on real estate investment 24 Legal: Perils lurking in agreement by email 30 Health and safety: On the topic of health surveillance 32 Training: New funding initiatives from FIS FRONT COVER: Paragon Interiors transforms Olympic building for Loughborough University.
CONTACT US EDITORIAL Editor: Adrian JG Marsh Assistant Editor: Jenny Gibson Email: newsdesk@campbellmarsh.com SpecFinish, Althorpe Enterprise Hub Althorpe Street, Leamington Spa CV31 2GB Design: Matthew Glover ADVERTISING Advertising enquiries: Adam Turner Tel: 01926 420660 adam.turner@campbellmarsh.com FIS Tel: 0121 707 0077 www.thefis.org Email: info@thefis.org FIS, Unit 4, Olton Bridge, 245 Warwick Rd, Solihull, West Midlands B92 7AH ISNN: 2055-2025 (Print) SpecFinish magazine published on behalf of FIS by Campbell Marsh and the views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those held by FIS or the publishers. The publishers shall not be under any liability in respect of the contents of the contributed articles. The Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or alter articles for publication. © All editorial contents SpecFinish 2016 SpecFinish is distributed to members of FIS and other selected leading finishes and interiors businesses.
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Construction growth slows as risks rise The Construction Products Association (CPA) is forecasting 3.0 per cent growth in construction output during 2016 and 3.6 per cent in 2017, a downward revision from the 3.6 per cent growth forecast three months ago, but the skills shortage remains the most pressing issue for the wider construction industry. The CPA says that the weakening in growth is due to heightened concerns regarding the effects of slowdown in global economic growth prospects, the impacts of uncertainty from the upcoming EU referendum on investor uncertainty and the potential for growth in the industry given key issues around skills shortages. Highlights from the CPA Spring Forecast, released last month, include: a forecast rise in construction output of 3.0 per cent in 2016 and 3.6 per cent in 2017; private housing starts expected to rise 5.0 per
cent in both 2016 and 2017; new offices activity anticipated to increase 7.0 per cent in 2016 and 6.0 per cent in 2017; retail construction expected to fall 1.0 per cent in 2016 and only rise 2.0 per cent in 2017; warehouses activity forecast to increase 23.7 per cent by 2019; and infrastructure work anticipated to rise 56.3 per cent by 2019. Professor Noble Francis, the CPA’s economics director, said: “The latest forecasts for construction are still positive with activity in the construction industry expected to outpace growth in the wider UK economy. The risks to this growth, however, continue to rise. UK economic growth forecasts continue to be downgraded in light of poorer global economic growth prospects.” FIND OUT MORE www.constructionproducts.org.uk
Etex creates dry SIG acquires SAS construction division Direct
Etex Group has created Etex Building Performance UK, a new dry construction division that includes Siniat, Promat and the newly acquired EOS Facades. In a statement last month, Etex said that Siniat, Promat and EOS Facades will combine their technical expertise and R&D resources. At the heart of Etex Building Performance’s strategy will be the creation of innovative solutions aimed at reducing installation times and meeting specifiers’ performance requirements in the most efficient way. The new devision will be led by Neil Ash, the managing director of Siniat UK, who will become Head of Etex Building Performance UK. Siniat, Promat and EOS Facades will each continue to trade separately in the UK.
SIG Plc has acquired SAS Direct & Partitioning Limited (SAS Direct) from SAS International for an undisclosed sum. Paul Gordon, managing director of SIG Distribution, said: “SAS Direct will further enhance the SIG Interiors business by extending our portfolio to include a very strong product and service proposition for the commercial interiors sector.” Todd Altman, chief executive of SAS International, said: “The sale of SAS Direct to SIG Plc allows SAS International to focus on the design, manufacture and supply of our market leading range of metal ceilings and architectural metal work systems.“ SAS Direct was established in 2010.
New guidelines for steel procurement The government has pledged that British steel companies will be able to compete on a level playing field for contracts across the public sector, under measures announced last month. The new initiatives will support steel suppliers’ ability to compete with international suppliers for major government and public sector contracts, including the NHS and councils. This will allow buyers across all major projects to take into account the true value of British steel, including its social impact. Contractors working for the
public sector will also be required to advertise their requirements for steel so that UK firms can compete. Matt Hancock, minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “Last year we changed the rules across all central government procurement to ensure buyers take into account the true value of British steel – including local impact and jobs. Now we will apply this guidance across the public sector.” FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk
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FIS campaigns for smaller and lighter plasterboard As part of a campaign to encourage the use of smaller 900mm wide plasterboard, which is lighter and easier to handle on-site, FIS has been working with HSE and relevant stakeholders. Collaboratively, they have set up a plasterboard supply chain working group comprising clients, contractors, trade bodies, manufacturers, designers and regulators. In brief, the objectives are to identify health risks associated with handling plasterboard on-site (focusing on muscular skeletal disorders – MSDs); to agree measures for eliminating/controlling the risk elements identified and ensure a common understanding of legal compliance; and to raise awareness of these risks and promote the measures for effectively eliminating or controlling them, with a focus on CDM duty holders and supply chain duty holders. The first working group meeting will be held early May and FIS would like to hear SpecFinish readers’ views or opinions on email: info@thefis.org
The FIS Contractors Awards 2016 Construction industry leaders and senior members of the architectural and interior design community will gather at The Dorchester Hotel, London, on 7 June for the annual FIS Contractors Awards Lunch. There are 13 categories in the Awards, which promote and encourage high levels of craftsmanship in the finishes and interiors sector. The winners will be announced at this prestigious event and presented by category sponsors: Minster, Project of the Year; SAS International, Interior Fit Out; British Gypsum, Drywall Residential; SIG, Drywall Commercial and Suspended Ceilings; CCF, Partitioning and Plastering; and Hilti, SFS. Entry into the 2016 Awards is now closed. This image shows Fast Track Interiors’ entry in the Partitioning category of the Contractors Awards: Maxis One. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
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Editor’s column Turning strategy into reality When the government published its new Construction Strategy it set out a plan to increase productivity in government construction, deliver £1.7 billion worth of efficiencies and support 20,000 apprenticeships over the course of the current parliament. Lack of skills remains the top issue that will hold not only construction back but the country as a whole. To achieve the ambitious targets of increasing the quality and quantity of skilled labour, we need to work together – up, down and across the construction supply chain. FIS has led the skills campaign in the finishes and interiors sector and remains focused on getting the sector’s workforce fully qualified to a minimum of NVQ level 2 (turn to page 32), but where is the finishes and interiors sector going to get its quota of new apprentices and bring new recruits into the sector from? The government strategy also sets out ambitions for smarter procurement, fairer payment, improving digital skills, reducing carbon emissions and increasing client capability. These themes are consistent with the wider ambitions for industry in Construction 2025, which is being delivered by industry and government through the Construction Leadership Council. What’s clear, yet again, is the need to involve specialists even earlier in the procurement process if they are to not only deliver new skilled resources but also bring their slice of the efficiency cake to the table in a truly sustainable way. Specialists are in a unique position to advise on ways to improve the buildability process. Be this helping designers and specifiers with practical detailing or suggesting better sequencing. When given the opportunity to perform, the level of quality is something the sector should be proud of – just take a trip to see Here East in Stratford, East London (turn to page 17). I have this feeling that we’ve been here before, where those remote from the workface talk strategy and don’t understand real construction. The supply chain remains the foundation to turn concept into reality.
Adrian JG Marsh Editor 04 Advertising 01926 420660
Good reason for optimism We’re coming out of spring and heading into summer, meaning warmer days, longer evenings and the positivity that comes with a feeling of having more time in the day. So, what do we have to look forward to for the rest of 2016? A deal of uncertainty mixed with a degree of stability would seem to be the order of things. The stability comes from fairly full order books, some improved margins and perhaps not the massive skills shortages we have all been predicting. The Construction Products Association (CPA) is still predicting strong growth through 2016 and 2017. Although slightly reduced at 3.6 per cent, this is still pretty good by any standards. Yet we seem to be surrounded by uncertainty and I heard the “R word” used by a member for the first time in a long time recently. At least “the threat of recession”, anyway, as they bemoaned the lack of go-ahead on a number of projects due to “uncertainties”. So, what are these uncertainties? Well, the rest of the world does not seem to be doing so well. The Chinese economy is slowing, the EU is flat, with negative interest rates at the European Central Bank to try to stimulate growth. The oil price is hampering the Middle East and Russia. This has reflected in reduced corporate profits in companies worldwide: the S&P 500 are expecting 6.2 per cent lower profits than last year. That in turn translates into lower capital expenditure, which fell by 10 per cent in 2015 and is expected to fall further in 2016. Lower capital expenditure means fewer building projects. This also manifests itself in the high-end
residential market, which, in London at least, is starting to see a correction in sales and price as too many new two-bedroom flats valued over £2 million come onto the market. Then we have political risk. Obviously, the uncertainty over Brexit will play out until the referendum but will undoubtedly have political consequences after the poll, whatever the result. We have the US election in November, likely to be the most acrimonious in living memory. Depending on the victor, we’ll either see the world’s largest economy and superpower following a more dynamic role as a world leader or falling back into a more insular protectionist posture. In Germany, Angela Merkel is under increasing pressure over her open-door policy to migrants. Then we have President Putin who is likely to choose foreign policy exploits to distract from the perilous state of the Russian economy. Pretty much everywhere you look there is uncertainty. Yet the UK economy continues to buck the trend, grow and attract foreign investment. There is much to be said for democratic government and institutions that are free from corruption and widely seen as fair. In times of uncertainty, where does the world want to keep its money safe? So, there is good reason to remain optimistic. Who knows, in a world where Leicester City can still win the Premiership (at the time of writing!), only good things can happen. DAVID FRISE FIS chief executive www.thefis.org
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Plasterboard: why we need to go full circle The government’s decision to phase out coal-fired power stations by 2025 may seem to have little relevance to plasterboard. In fact, it will have far-reaching implications for future manufacturing of gypsum products. Siniat’s head of EHS and sustainability, Steve Hemmings, explains. For many years, by-products from coal-fired power stations have been a high-quality materials source for construction products, including plasterboard. In 2014, over 75 per cent of these UK construction products were manufactured using Desulphurised Gypsum (DSG) – a by-product of the process that removes sulphur dioxide from the flue gases of coal-fired power stations. With this source of gypsum coming to an end, the plasterboard industry must rethink its resources.
Fortunately, gypsum can be infinitely recycled, and there is a major opportunity for our industry to recover this valuable material from plasterboard waste and reuse it to make new products. Siniat has been involved in Gypsum to Gypsum (G2G), an EU LIFE-funded, European research project exploring how the plasterboard industry can embrace the circular economy – a concept where materials are used for as long as possible and then recovered at the end of their life for re-use.
The study has three clear recommendations for this. Firstly, contractors, demolition companies, recyclers and manufacturers must collaborate to make closed-loop recycling of gypsum a reality. Secondly, we need to deconstruct, rather than demolish, buildings at the end of their life to prevent contamination and help salvage gypsum for recycling. Thirdly, deconstruction audits for buildings over 1,000 sq metres should be mandatory, not just best practice.
Produced prior to a building’s construction and demolition, these detailed inventories will support the recovery of recyclable materials at the end of a building’s lifecycle. It won’t be an easy process of change, but implementing the processes needed for large-scale gypsum recycling will reduce the environmental impact of buildings, and could even offer financial savings. G2G has found that controlled deconstruction is cost effective and offers reductions in materials extraction and life-cycle carbon emissions. We have to move from a demolition culture to a dismantling culture to ensure we recover valuable materials like gypsum used in plasterboard, and use them again for new building products. It’s time for our industry to go full circle. STEVE HEMMINGS Siniat Head of EHS and sustainability www.siniat.co.uk
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Fermacell launches new dry flooring guide A 64-page guide is now available from Fermacell outlining how to plan and install its dry flooring systems. The new guide covers the practical and cost-effective nature of dry flooring as an alternative to conventional wet screed to concrete floors, and also highlights how the product’s thermal conductivity properties make it an efficient overlay to underfloor heating systems. Good acoustic properties can also be achieved using an optional wood fibre layer to the gypsum fibreboard base. The brochure gives an overview of suitable areas for application. Further in the guide, there’s advice and step-by-step guides on suitable substrates for installing Fermacell onto and how these should be prepared. Specific advice is provided on specifying Fermacell’s cement-based Powerpanel H2O for flooring exposed to moisture and humidity, along with example drawings of construction details for all different flooring combinations. www.fermacell.co.uk
DORMA glass shopfronts add flexibility DORMA’S Varitrans glass moveable walls, distributed in the UK by Style, provide clear and open access for retail premises, allowing staff to maximise the store’s visual potential and encourage customers in. Traditional shop fronts tend to be fixed glass or roller shutter door units. But DORMA’S Varitrans glass partitioning wall systems can be either manual or fully automatic, giving shop staff the flexibility to quickly adapt the space to meet changing requirements throughout the day. Staff can also change the size and position of a store’s entrance and exit points, widening or reducing them as necessary to accommodate changes in footfall. The glass partitioning wall can even be removed entirely, with the individual panels being stacked neatly to one side. The Varitrans system is available with the fully automatic DORMA ComfortDrive solution meaning the panels can be moved into place at the press of a button. Single and double pass doors can be incorporated to allow pedestrian access routes, and the system features unlocking protection to prevent unauthorised opening. www.style-partitions.co.uk
The new ThroughWall Solution from Knauf gives the manufacturer the unique advantage of being able to specify the facade infill panel right through to the internal partitions. Knauf developed the system in collaboration with strategic industry partners – it is the first in the industry to be supplied by a single manufacturer. ThroughWall is designed for both steel frame and concrete frame systems and comprises Knauf Internal Plasterboard, Knauf Mineral Wool Insulation, Knauf Solid Steel Frame System (SFS), Knauf Windliner and Knauf PIR Insulation. When combined, these products deliver strong acoustic, thermal and fire performance properties, and air tightness levels. The system can be finished in a number of external facade materials, including Knauf renders. Knauf ThroughWall is suitable for use above 18 metres. It meets the requirements set out in Annex B of BRE 135 and has successfully passed the test as per British Standard 8414-2. www.knauf.co.uk 06 Advertising 01926 420660
Lime plasters bestsuited to flood-risk properties When repairing a water-damaged property after a flood, contractors need to consider materials that will protect a building from the same extent of damage in the future. Gypsum plaster absorbs and retains water, and readily degrades when immersed in water. Damaged plaster must be completely removed before it can be replaced. In contrast, a breathable, fast-drying renovating lime plaster, such as those from Tarmac’s Limelite brand, will help speed up the repair and finishing process by eliminating the need to completely replace the plaster each time flooding occurs. This type of ‘breathable’ plaster effectively controls damp passing through walls and provides a barrier against salt transfer. By allowing balanced moisture movement through the construction fabric, structural damage can be reduced and the substrate can dry naturally for quicker and cheaper remedial works. The Environment Agency’s ‘What to do before, during and after a flood’ guide advocates the use of lime instead of gypsum plaster in the ‘Further steps to protect your property’ section. www.limeliteplaster.co.uk
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With on-site, day-to-day support and their invaluable local site knowledge, SIG always deliver on their promise. MARK HOEY CONNEELY GROUP AN SIG CUSTOMER
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Two new decorating solutions from Wondertex Wondertex, part of the Instarmac Group, has added prem texture and prem adhesive to its new-look range of decorating solutions. Prem texture is a decorative finish material that can be applied to ceilings or walls for a crack-free finish, whether creating or covering a variety of textured patterns. The product is available in 25kg bags / 48 bags to the pallet. The second new product, prem adhesive, is suitable for fixing all gypsum and fibrous mouldings, including cove and cornice systems. This now offers a 60- to 90-minute working time and is available in 15kg bags / 56 bags to the pallet. Both products have improved formulations and are packaged in new long-life bags, which have a polyethylene liner layer to reduce moisture ingress. www.wondertex.co.uk
Siniat’s acoustic insulation system is music to Cardiff’s ears Superior acoustic performance board from Siniat has played its part in ensuring great acoustics for musicians while minimising noise nuisance for neighbours at a new music venue in Cardiff. ‘The Tramshed’ is a new 1,000-person-capacity live music venue located in a 113-year old Grade-II listed former tram and bus maintenance depot – a building not originally designed with acoustic properties in mind. Siniat’s technical team worked alongside DS Properties and Manorcraft Interior Systems to develop a ‘box-in-a-box’ – an acoustically insulated drywall structure supported by a hot rolled steel frame, housing the venue within the building. The bespoke design comprised three layers of Siniat’s 15mm GTEC dB Board – a dense plasterboard offering superior acoustic performance – applied to the enclosure’s inside faces and secured using Siniat GTEC Acoustic V Braces and Twin GTEC C Studs. A 90mm independent stud frame, with glass wool insulation and three layers of 15mm GTEC dB Board, was installed along the inside of the venue’s one external, single-skin brick wall, creating an isolated wall lining system to prevent airborne sound leaking out into the street. And for the box’s ‘lid’, a sophisticated mass barrier ceiling was created, featuring three layers of 15mm GTEC dB Board screwed to heavy gauge metals and hung from Phonistar acoustic hangers, all supported off the existing structural frame. The Tramshed recently opened to great acclaim, with no complaints from local residents. www.siniat.co.uk
Armstrong helps Booths to deliver its new look
British Gypsum champions evidence-based design approach
FIS member GWN Contracts has installed metal and mineral ceiling tiles from Armstrong at a flagship Booths supermarket in Lytham St Annes, which opened last year. The 2,198m2 of Armstrong ceiling systems were specified to help with acoustics, particularly within the double-height spaces, as well as assist with the upmarket chain’s adherence to new brand standards and guidance, which outlined a move away from traditional lay-in ceiling towards a more industrial feel for ceiling designs. Armstrong’s dark grey Mesh Board metal tiles with Axiom Profile and grid in RAL 9007 feature in plasterboard margins in the lower sales area of the new £4.5 million supermarket. The 1200mm x 600mm metal mesh tiles sit as rafts within variously shaped plasterboard margins. These were all laid on the diagonal to lead customers’ eyes through the 2,140m2 main sales area to the impressive deli counter at the rear. Choosing a mesh tile option also provided flexibility for the location of the feature lighting. Ultima+, which is the world’s first mineral tile range certified to Cradle to Cradle status, was used on the first-floor back-of-house areas.
British Gypsum has launched Evidence Space, a new website providing industry professionals and building users with evidence-based design (EBD) research and solutions. Although the main benefits of EBD should be considered during design, they also affect all stages of the building process, from creating innovative evidence-based concepts to measuring post-occupancy performance results. The website explores common issues in buildings and provides credible evidence to help influence new build and refurbishment design. It also features contributions from EBD academics that address the connection between physical spaces, and the performance, health and wellbeing of occupants. Paul Campbell, commercial sector manager at British Gypsum, explained: “Evidence-based design is a relatively new concept in the UK that all industry professionals and building users can benefit from. We’ve launched Evidence Space to share these resources with the wider industry and stimulate conversation around the concept.” Evidence Space provides resources, including articles, infographics and case studies. Users can sign up for e-newsletters and express interest in contributing.
www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk
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Knauf Airless Readymix Plasters
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The complete range of Knauf Readymix Plasters can now be used with the popular airless piston pump machines, making them a highly-efficient alternative to traditional plaster for finishing walls and ceilings. With high impact resistance and inherent flexibility, Knauf Airless Readymix Plasters are less prone to chips and cracks. Supplied pre-mixed to the correct consistency for spray application, no direct water supply is required on site and wastage is less than 1%. To find out how the new Knauf Airless Readymix Plaster range can enhance your next project, call 03700 613700 or visit www.knauf.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 09
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British Gypsum National Trophy – 2016 Winners Six stunning projects – all category winners in the British Gypsum National Trophy – will represent the UK and take on finalists from around the world at the 10th Saint-Gobain Gypsum International Trophy, being hosted in Prague in June. The Trophy celebrates craftsmanship and skills in traditional plastering and modern plasterboard systems, and recognises the contribution that contractors make to the construction industry. This year’s category winners are: Plasterboard, Camden Council’s new site at Five Pancras Square in King’s Cross (Kier Construction); Plaster, University of Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery (ISG Ltd, C W Solutions); Innovation & Sustainability, The University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Centre (Morgan Sindall Group); Education, Healthcare & Hospitality, Michael Sobell Sports Centre and School in Aberdare (Laing O’Rouke, Optimum Drywall Systems); Residential, Great Minster House in Westminster (Stanmore); and Commercial, Resorts World in Birmingham (Galliford Try). www.saint-gobain-gyproc.com
Go Interiors adds to partitioning range National interiors distributor Go Interiors has launched four new office partition ranges: ImaGO, a hybrid framed and frameless transition system; OliGO, a natural hardwood system; and FueGO and LarGO, traditional demountable systems. Go Interiors supplied the OliGO hardwood partitioning system to interior fit-out contractors Delta Projects for their client’s relocation. The interior scheme called for a bright, modern workspace, incorporating a reception area, functional spaces, private offices and meeting rooms, all required to complement the storage wall specification and furniture scheme. The OliGO partitioning sections were manufactured in the UK from natural, solid, seasoned cherry hardwood. A bright and airy feel was achieved by incorporating full-height door and window modules with OliGO’s colourful natural finish and durability contributing to the welcoming work place. Delta Projects also installed 650m² of Go Interiors’ Finoflor raised access flooring.
Optima’s Revolution 100 delivers on acoustics for HP
www.gointeriors.co.uk
Take a look: new Tradeline website and product guide
Optima has supplied and installed its Revolution 100 system glazed partitions at the new 7,000m2 European headquarters of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the city of London. Taking the architect’s concept for a 100 per cent flexible work place, Optima developed the upfront design and provided scaleddown mock-ups. Challenges included procuring obscured glass from Italy and working to a tight schedule. Optima’s Revolution 100 system with single-glazed Edge Symmetry doors was used to create meeting rooms, along with Optima’s Kinetic Align framed sliding glass doors and single-glazed screens. Textured glass was used to enhance the Customer Engagement Centre. Revolution 100 is a new partition system providing versatility through its fully dry-jointed system that can be single or double-glazed. A range of glazing options enables clients to select an appropriate acoustic performance with the system, which can achieve a market-leading acoustic performance of 52dB Rw in its double-glazed form.
CCF’s professional drywall solutions brand, Tradeline, has launched a comprehensive website and product guide to help contractors identify the right system or choose the best drywall product. As well as detailing Tradeline’s professional range of metal fixings, finishing and access panel solutions, the Drywall Solutions Guide contains information to support optimum product performance. Both the website and the guide also contain advice on sector-specific applications and the latest industry standards. The Tradeline drywall range is available alongside CCF’s extensive product solutions to make it simple for contractors to source what they need from one location, including internal wall-partitioning systems which integrate and extend into ceilings and flooring, and vital fixing and finishing components such as screws, tape and sealant. Copies of the guide can be picked up in CCF branches nationwide or downloaded from the Tradeline website.
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Rendaboard and Knauf acoustic systems specified for Manchester venue and architects overcame Weber secure BBA Contractors acoustic and construction challenges Euroform has announced that Rendaboard and Weber-rend MT have been awarded a BBA certificate (Cert. No. 15/5228). The certificate relates to Weber. rend MT Systems thin coat external renders applied to Euroform’s Rendaboard for use as ventilated and drained exterior wall panel systems on timber-frame and steel-frame buildings. This accreditation meets the requirements of the NHBC. Key factors assessed included weather and fire resistance, strength and stability, and durability, with the board demonstrating its capacity to perform for a period in excess of 30 years. Rendaboard has also been successfully tested for wind loading, soft and hard body impact, and bond strength (incorporating hygrothermal freeze thaw conditions).
using Soundshield Plus high performance plasterboard and technical support from Knauf while creating Manchester’s latest cultural venue, HOME. Acoustically, the main challenges were to isolate the venue’s 500-seat theatre and the five cinemas from one another, and to protect the whole venue from the railway that runs just eight metres from the theatre stage. Drylining contractor and FIS member Sound Interiors was subcontracted by Space Group. Collaborating with Knauf’s technical support team, the three parties slimmed the specification down to eight different wall designs with one type of board – Knauf’s Soundshield Plus – being used in the main, reinforced with Knauf Fire Panel as required for greater fire resistance. To achieve the acoustic performance needed, the theatre is effectively a box within a box, a steel frame standing on acoustic rubber pads, isolated from the external concrete, meaning no sound bridging. The frame is lined with three staggered layers of 15mm Soundshield Plus that incorporates 100mm Knauf Earth Wool Acoustic Partition Roll and so achieves an acoustic performance of 76dB Rw. The cinemas are separated by twin-framed partitions that provide 63dB Rw of sound insulation, thereby stopping sound leaking. The partition’s sides are constructed from two 15mm panels of Soundshield Plus on either side of 25mm Knauf Earth Wool Acoustic Partition Roll.
www.euroform.co.uk
www.knauf.com
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Don’t get caught out on site; gain your trade specific CSCS card Qualify your employees and labour only sub-contractors Since January 2015, our Technical Academies have been delivering SUP’s for Interior Systems Dry Lining Fixers Diploma NVQ Level 2. Developed in conjunction with the FIS, member companies, and the National Specialists team at the CITB, a large number of companies have already benefitted from qualifying their workforce through the SUP route and ensuring their tradespeople are qualified with formal training and site assessment. What is a SUP? SUP stands for Specialist Up-skilling Programme. It is designed for specific trades and supports companies in developing employed and labour only sub-contractors. It means operatives will be qualified in their trade and gain the relevant CSCS card, whilst attracting significant company grants to cover the costs of training. What’s the grant? The CITB registered companies’ grant is £2,525 for each employee or labour only sub-contractor who needs to be qualified. How long is the course? To gain your qualification this is typically a minimum of five days off-site training, followed up with on-site assessment for up to a 12 month period. For course dates and further information, contact the Technical Academy Team on 0844 561 8810.
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Newly qualified recent graduates receive their certificates.
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Hayles and Howe working on the restoration of the Grade II-listed Dominion Theatre, London.
Heritage plasterwork needs special treatment Following the collapse of the suspended fibrous ceiling at the Apollo theatre on 19 December 2013 where over 80 people were injured, many theatre operators and owners of historical buildings are turning to the finishes sector to check and repair their ceilings. But there are dangers lurking in dark corners and confined spaces that anyone considering taking on this work should be aware of. FIS technical manager Joe Cilia outlines these, along with some stark warnings. The Apollo ceiling collapse was caused by a failure of the hessian and plaster wadding ties that held the ceiling in place. This high-profile failure has led to each theatre being inspected by experienced specialists who climb into the spaces above the ceiling to inspect and report on their condition. Doing so allows the local authority to provide a licence for the theatre to operate. These reports sometimes highlight the need for planned or emergency repairs to take place to ensure the safety of theatre goers or visitors to historic buildings; and in the same way that you wouldn’t expect a non-expert to advise a surgeon on the best way to treat a patient, this survey work and repair should only be carried out by someone who can demonstrate their competency in this specialist field. Ray Deeks of G. Cook and Sons Ltd, and a member of the FIS Heritage Plastering Forum, said: “It is essential that people carrying out inspections of ceilings produced over a hundred years ago are fully aware
of the materials used and how they were constructed, and it is important that any repairs are done in the right way. At present, we only use our staff who have had many years’ experience of this type of work. However, with the development of a Trailblazer Apprenticeship of level 3 heritage plastering, it is hoped that more people will be trained to carry out this important work.” Saint-Gobain has a specialist division dedicated to the sector, Saint-Gobain Formula. The division says its work is currently focused on supporting the fibrous heritage industry to overcome these challenges and that it’s keen to do more to support this highly skilled and added-value industry. This will be the focus of the Decorative Plasterwork Forum in June, outlined to the right. Any repair to a historic building should be carried out using traditional techniques and materials. For example, English Heritage would never allow
plasterboard to be used to repair a lath and plaster wall. However, it is not only important that the correct material is used, but also that the traditional methods are employed by operatives. To ensure that this specialist knowledge isn’t lost, FIS is working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Trailblazer group in developing a new, fit for purpose apprenticeship standard. This will equip young entrants to the trade with the basic skills that can then be extended with the right experience, enabling them to ensure the magnificent interiors of many grand buildings can be maintained for the future. Work on the new apprenticeship is underway with the aim of having it ready for delivery in January 2017. It’s not just historical buildings that display traditional plasterwork. Architects often consider how the features created in plaster over the years can be transferred to new buildings. Andy Kemp, director of specialist contractor Design & Visual Concepts, said: “We are constantly striving to do things more efficiently
and believe the traditional plaster techniques can also be applied to new buildings. For this reason, we have evolved our plaster techniques and use CNC technology to produce moulds to provide 100 per cent accuracy of the design. Our installation methodologies have also evolved to encompass modern techniques and provide a heritage feel to new build projects.” Coming back to the topic of historical buildings, FIS often receives enquiries about how cracks in historic plasterwork can be filled or damp patches repaired. The answer is always not to, at least until the cause of the damp or cracking is fully investigated and understood. The damp will always percolate through and if the cause of the cracking isn’t dealt with, the consequences of a full or partial collapse may come back to haunt whoever thought they could paper over the cracks. This is definitely a job for a specialist, experienced contractor. FIND OUT MORE JOE CILIA joecilia@thefis.org
Saint-Gobain Formula will focus on decorative plasterwork at its forum in June.
Decorative Plasterwork Forum Saint-Gobain Formula is hosting a forum on decorative plasterwork at its Innovation Centre in London on Thursday 16 June. The forum aims to bring together key people in the industry to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector. The topics being presented include training, theatre ceilings and gypsum technology. To register interest or find out more, contact Ian Playsted, regional sales manager, at ian.playsted@saint-gobain.com FIND OUT MORE www.saintgobainformula.com www.specfinish.co.uk 13
FEATURE
ACOUSTICS IN OFFICE DESIGN
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Job number one: consider the acoustics Changes in office behaviour, their use and even dizzying rental costs have seen acoustic design become one of the most important considerations in the development of successful modern offices. Paul Thompson reports. The way we work has changed enormously since the turn of the 21st century. Now office space has to be as flexible as possible to make sure it provides an environment conducive to performance for all staff members. And while the sounding of the death knell for the open plan office might be a little over the top, modern office design has evolved considerably from the traditional office environment, and it continues to do so. “We are in an age where we have started to recognise the effect that sensory inputs can have on staff comfort, health and ultimately productivity. The most successful companies are those that ensure their offices are able to provide their staff with space they are comfortable working in,” commented Joe Cilia, technical manager at FIS.
One of the most important areas of comfort is that of noise. The chatty, buzzy atmosphere of a busy office, open to input from all sides, can deliver the free-flow of shared ideas and intellect. But while that may be the perfect environment for many, there are times when the very setting designed to encourage discourse actually provides distraction. And that distraction can have a detrimental effect on productivity. “It is hard for people who have been distracted from the work they were doing to get straight back to where they left off. Estimates point at 15 minutes. If that happens four times a day, you have lost an hour. Now multiply that across your workforce. Large companies could be looking at huge amounts of
BW’s interior fit-out project for CIMA in London’s financial centre featured timber-slatted ceilings for aesthetics and acoustic control.
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lost, unproductive time,” explained Mr Cilia. Modern design trends do not help. The open soffited concrete ceiling office, proving popular in newly built developments thanks to its thermal sink qualities that provide a big tick in the BREEAM sustainability scorecard, can hamper its acoustic performance. The plethora of hard surfaces and screens in the modern office can also provide challenges. Fortunately, the importance of providing comfortable working space, breakout areas, small single working zones and meeting rooms within the office environment is becoming well recognised. Acoustic consultants and experts are increasingly being drafted in at earlier stages of a new build or refurbishment project to cover this issue. There is some way to go, though, according to Anthony Brown, sales and marketing director at office and interior specialist BW. “Where clients have already been through recent refurbishment projects, we generally find they employ consultants specifically to deal with the acoustic performance. When clients are relatively inexperienced, it is often not the case. I would always recommend dealing with the working office acoustics at the outset rather than bringing an expert in further down the line,” he explained. And with acoustic issues becoming ever more complicated as companies endeavour to squeeze more out of their office footprint, the challenge for acoustic specialists and contractors is becoming greater. The BW team has recently delivered a complicated project for international cosmetic company
Estée Lauder which tested the full gamut of acoustic design. “The client wanted two floors of training space within the office building designed to offer specific facilities for each of their brands. We needed to provide acoustically sealed rooms that could be used to recreate individual sales floors. This could involve loud music playing but we still had to cater for those staff working in the rest of the office and ensure they wouldn’t be distracted. It was a very complicated scheme,” explained BW operations director Peter Nagle. Getting value for money from their office space is an imperative for clients but it can be tricky for them to see exactly where they should spend their cash. Strategic spend can prove pivotal, according to Michael Page, joint managing director of workplace consultant Saracen Interiors. “Often, it’s all about budget. But we’d be falling short if we didn’t advise clients on what can be achieved by spending a bit more in certain areas. For instance, a small upgrade on floor or ceiling tiles can make a significant difference and, in doing so, pave the way for a happier and more-focused team,” he said. Optimising office space is a common theme, particularly with purchase or rental prices per square metre at such astronomic levels. A good acoustic design can help maximise its potential and there are plenty of products on the market that are more than capable of helping, according to Sektor Interior Solutions’ sales director, Steve Crompton. “Modern glass partitioning for example has fantastic acoustic properties and by using it we can reduce the footprint of an office. It feels bigger to users. There are also plenty of products that can be specified to mitigate some of the noise caused by reverberation from around the hard, shiny surfaces in offices, but we would like to be talking to architects, clients, designers and end-users as early as possible,” said Mr Crompton, adding, “One cap doesn’t fit all and we need to be involved early on to make sure the client gets the best possible office on delivery.”
ACOUSTICS IN OFFICE DESIGN
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Saracen Interiors specified high-back acoustic sofas and timber slats to help break up sound for Tata Communications.
That early involvement is a call heard across the industry. Experts are in the best position to deliver their expertise when a project is still on the drawing board. By waiting until there is a crisis, some of the benefit of using that expertise has been lost. “The focus has changed. Acoustics is an age-old issue and in areas such as meeting rooms we have been able to address it. Acoustics throughout the
rest of the office is the next stage in the evolution of our understanding. I believe it is better for those issues to be addressed through good acoustic design at the beginning of a project rather than being seen as a problem to solve at the end,” concluded Mr Brown of BW. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
Double-glazed partitions for meeting rooms provide privacy at Tata Communications’ Thames-side office.
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FEATURE
LIGHTING
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SITE VISIT
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Site visit: Loughborough University London A complex transformation of one of London 2012’s buildings into a sophisticated new campus for Loughborough University is nearing completion. Andy Pearson went to meet design and build contractor Paragon Interiors Group on-site to see how the fit-out was coming along.
In July 2012, the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was home to the world’s media reporting on one of the world’s biggest sporting events – the Olympic and Paralympic games. Four years on and the IBC is undergoing a spectacular rebirth. Renamed Here East, this giant building is now the new heart of a digital quarter being created in East London to take advantage of the legacy of some of the most advanced digital infrastructure in Europe. Under the transformation, Paragon Interiors Group is turning the entire northern section of the building into a smart new campus for Loughborough University’s post graduate studies in digital technology, digital manufacturing, design innovation and entrepreneurship, media and
creative industries, business and sport. With less than two weeks to go until the students move into their sleek new home, the fit-out is almost complete. On floors one to three, offices, lecture theatres, seminar rooms and learning spaces all stand pristine and empty, awaiting the arrival of furniture currently being used by the students in temporary accommodation nearby. On floor four, which has been sublet by the university to two tenants, fit-out is also complete; here a boardroom, cellular offices and breakout spaces all await their new occupants. Paragon’s attention is now focused on the ground floor, where the final few tasks are underway. “We’ve got a little bit of crisping-up to do in order to get things ready for handover,” said Charlie Smith, Paragon’s project manager and the
man with responsibility for the site. Managing this project to ensure it was handed over on time has been quite a challenge. Paragon won the project in a competitive tender. In August 2015, when it first took possession of the northern section of the IBC, very little remained from its former existence. The building’s steel frame, the raised access floors and most, but not all, of the building’s M&E services were still in place and were expected to be reused. “When we started on-site, the first thing we did was to validate the existing M&E that we were to adopt,” said Neil Worstenholme, associate director of construction at Paragon. It was a task made all the more challenging because, at that time, the site was without water, and even power in some instances, which Mr Worstenholme says made the process “interesting”. Validation took four weeks. The exercise enabled Paragon to locate and test individual items. For example, the exercise showed that some of the fan coil units were no longer operational. The validation also allowed Paragon to coordinate the legacy building services with the proposed design it had developed with the university. “It was massively important because the whole design is dependent on what is installed and whether it is still operational,” highlighted Mr Worstenholme. The original plan was to start with the fit-out on the fourth floor
and then to progressively work down the floors finishing with the ground floor, but this was scuppered when the university postponed fit-out of the fourth floor until January. “Our top-down journey stalled because we had to do the very top last,” said project manager Mr Smith. Crucially, the building was also without a facade. The cladding installed for the Olympics had gone; in its place was a temporary site hoarding set 3m back from the edge of the floorplates to allow the landlord’s contractor, Laing O’Rourke, to install a new fritted-glass facade. “The hoarding meant that we’d lost a third of our site,” explained Mr Worstenholme. With the project completion date set, Paragon had no option but to programme its work around the facade installer. The hoarding meant that rooms abutting the facade couldn’t be finished. It was a problem exacerbated by the facade contractor missing handover dates. “It meant we had to do some clever programming because we didn’t want to put plasterboard into rooms that were not sealed because it would collect moisture,” Mr Worstenholme said. “We had to react; we tackled the internal spaces we could complete, one of which was the main lecture theatre.” It was important to keep up the momentum, particularly when you consider that at some stages in the works there were over 100 people on-site. Mr Smith picks up www.specfinish.co.uk 17
SITE VISIT www.specfinish.co.uk
the thread: “We ended up having to jump from floor to floor to meet our deadline and to keep our operatives working,” he commented. The final sections of hoarding were removed in October 2015. Fit-out of the areas Paragon could access commenced with setting out the locations of partition walls on each of the empty floors. After the walls had been located, the M&E subcontractor installed first-fix cabling and piped services at high level. Most of the high-level services are exposed; the main exceptions are offices and seminar rooms where a suspended ceiling is installed. In addition, first-fix power and data cabling were installed beneath the raised floor. “We try to complete the below-floor installation early in the programme to minimise the risk of having a 250mm deep floor void open,” explained Mr Smith. Hard on the heels of the M&E subcontractor was specialist drylining subcontractor Planet Partitioning. Once the metal channels and studs had been installed, the wall was boarded out with plasterboard one side only. This enabled power, data and BMS cabling to be installed in the wall void before the cavity was closed and the partitions given a plaster skim finish. With the walls complete, ceiling perimeter bulkheads were constructed in rooms with a
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suspended ceiling. The M&E contractor then completed the second-fix M&E installation before first-fix joinery, including skirting and door frames, will be installed along with the made-to-measure partition glazing. The painting subcontractor can then mist-coat the plastered walls, the joinery contractor hang doors and the painting contractor give the plaster walls a finishing coat of paint. The final task is fitting the carpets, which is left until the last minute to prevent them becoming damaged.
One of the more unusual bits of furniture is in the first floor seminar room. Here, Paragon’s designer has come up with a system of hinged, wheeled partitions that allow the room to be subdivided into smaller work spaces as and when required. With project handover imminent, there is very little snagging work still outstanding, mainly because Paragon has operated a continuous rectification programme for substandard materials or workmanship using Site Audit Pro software. “On a weekly
basis, from the start of the project, we check and log floor-by-floor where things are not 100 per cent and how they should be improved,” explained Mr Worstenholme. And after what has been an Olympic endeavour transforming the London 2012 IBC building, he concluded that “coordination and communication” best sum up this project. FIND OUT MORE www.paragonplc.com
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PARTITIONS
FEATURE
PLASTERERS’ BEADS AND MESH
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How plasterers’ beads and mesh contribute to a perfect finish Product quality and suitability go hand in hand with good workmanship for achieving long-lasting performance and aesthetics. And for building components such as plasterers’ bead and mesh, the devil really is in the detail. Richard Price, technical director at Catnic, provides guidance on how to ensure products chosen are fit for purpose. When it comes to plastering, the industry offers a wealth of support and guidance. Do a simple internet search to see the plethora of information and ‘how to’ guides from product selection to installation techniques available. Do the same for plasterers’ beads and mesh and the lack of information is immediately apparent. Given that these items have a vital function in the plastering process, this really needs to be addressed. When you consider their role, they are absolute necessities: they prevent a plaster layer surface from cracking and increase durability and longevity. They also offer a reliable method of achieving the slick, professional finish that clients expect of internal spaces and rendered facades. With this in mind, accurate selection is crucial. Although this might sound simple, start with the basics and check that the product has a CE marking. Professionals have a duty of care to ensure that the products selected are legal and will perform as intended. Specifiers and contractors then need to consider the location and atmospheric conditions of the building when selecting the correct material finish. Both can have a 20 Advertising 01926 420660
significant impact on whether the installation will perform and last as expected. Anyone requiring guidance should look to BS EN 13914-1:2016, which covers the design, preparation and application of external rendering and internal plastering. This advises the use of stainless steel and PVC-u in conditions of high humidity and/ or salt-laden atmospheres. Using an incorrect material type carries risk of corrosion and brings the likelihood of staining through the plaster or render, resulting in expensive remedial work. Internally, galvanized steel is a more appropriate choice, although for high-moisture interior environments, stainless steel and PVC-u could also be considered. Once the material type has been chosen, it’s then an issue of product quality. In the past, contractors might not have considered there to be much differentiation between one plasterers’ bead or another, and with ‘equal or equivalent to’ specifications reinforcing this idea, the door has been left open for quality compromises that can fall short of the initial design intention. When faced with a range of plasterers’ bead and mesh to choose
from, always opt for a reputable manufacturer. In addition, a simple but effective means of establishing quality is checking rigidity. The more rigid a plasterers’ bead is, the easier it is to retain the plumbline and achieve a precise finish.
The next important factor is the type of fixing: best practice says avoid mixing different material types. For example, if using a stainless steel plasterers’ bead, avoid zinc mechanical fixings which could result in a chemical reaction that leads to the breakdown of the fixing. Ultimately, the bead could break away from the surface. Damaging chemical reactions can also occur during the installation process itself. For example, it is important not to over trowel the nose of exposed plasterers’ bead. If the plaster is being applied using a steel trowel against a galvanized section of bead, there is a risk that the zinc coating could be damaged – again increasing the likelihood of issues down the line.
A high-quality, rigid bead will help retain the plumbline.
PLASTERERS’ BEADS AND MESH
FEATURE
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Strength and support should also be considered, particularly for drywall applications in high-traffic areas. It is advisable to use edging bead for a really robust finish and limit any potential damage. When dealing with large sections of external render, it’s best to install adequate movement bead panels, no more than five metres apart and never over a structural control joint. This will allow for any necessary movement of the building without damaging the render finish. As with any construction product, always look to a trusted manufacturer that can offer a comprehensive portfolio of products. For plasterers’ beads and mesh, this means PVC-u, stainless and galvanized steel ranges as well as a high level of technical support to ensure the product selected is fit for purpose, of good quality and able to provide a precise and lasting finish. FIND OUT MORE www.catnic.com
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www.specfinish.co.uk 21
FEATURE
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fermacell® is a registered trademark and a company of the XELLA group.
MIPIM REVIEW
FEATURE
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Keeping an eye on real estate investment During early spring, more than 20,000 property executives made their annual pilgrimage to Cannes on the French Riviera for the 27th MIPIM international property conference and exhibition. Throughout the show, real estate advisers and investors expressed a mixture of optimism and caution over the state of the global market but added that the overall picture for 2016 and beyond is positive. Adrian JG Marsh reports. Bringing together the largest single gathering of international investors, alongside developers, end-users, architects, hotel groups, public authorities, tech specialists, start-ups and property associations, MIPIM yet again underlined its credentials as a unique opportunity to conduct business, network and discuss the major issues facing both urban and real estate leaders. MIPIM is an eclectic mix of property professionals and members of the supply chain. Architects and contractors alike were engaging with building investors and owners. In 2016, attendance rose 10 per cent compared to 2015, as some 23,500 senior real estate executives, urban leaders and politicians from around 90 countries met in Cannes for this networking and deal-making event. Many UK cities and local authorities chose MIPIM as a platform to attract inward investment. Cities teaming up to promote themselves is fast becoming the norm and leading the way was the Northern Powerhouse
‘alliance’ of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle. MIPIM also saw the launch of Midlands Engine’s regeneration opportunities. Created in December 2015, the Midlands Engine brings together 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to develop the region and attract inward investment. Speaking to a packed MIPIM auditorium, Andy Street, the chairman at Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We have never had collaboration across the Midlands on this scale.” Their development pipeline contains 33 projects worth a combined £14.4bn. The central theme ‘Housing the World’ saw the real estate industry share its vision of cities that create liveable and affordable spaces for all and particularly work together with public partners to provide affordable housing. Tony Pidgley, the chairman of housing giant Berkeley Group, said: “After 50 years of house building, why are we such NIMBYs? House
building is a force for good and an economic driver that helps the economy to grow and develop strong communities. What’s holding us back is the lengthy planning procedures and the right infrastructure to support schemes.” Neill Werner, a partner at architects Pellings, said: “The top issue for the UK industry at the moment is getting the cost right so we can move projects through the procurement route. It’s noticeable that contractor supply chains are really under pressure. Costs have peaked and the right price may now be outside the client’s budget. If costs are too high a project will be stopped and a number of high-end residential jobs have already been put on hold because of rising costs.” In the residential sector, MIPIM clearly showed that property investors are diversifying their portfolios to include ‘alternative’ investments in flexible working space, student housing, hotels, and private rental and retirement homes. European developer Kārlis Gedrovics plans to create a chain of Urban Powerhouses – branded co-working spaces for creative companies in historical buildings – and has identified three northern cities where he’s looking for developments. Mr Gedrovics said: “Although it is challenging to predict how people will work in the future, the patterns of today show that there is a vast potential for innovation in the knowledge-based economy represented by creative companies.” The explosion of e-commerce is
accelerating the emergence of what were once described rather dismissively as ‘sheds’. These large industrial warehouse and distribution centres have become one of the hottest assets in real estate as demand for logistics grows and warehouse returns have been outperforming some office portfolios since the recession. In the Innovation Forum, delegates enthused about Schindler’s myPORT transit management app. The mobile app-controlled system recognises users as they enter a building, calls a lift for them and, once they have reached their floor, opens their office or apartment door. According to Michael Dobler from Schindler, “myPORT allows seamless movement in a building without having different badges and keys.” A new information resource for the property industry called Infabode was revealed. Targeted at anyone looking to access real estate industry research and information, Infabode uses new technology to change the way information is gathered and distributed within the sector. MIPIM is the place for anyone who wants to move with the movers and shakers at the top client table. It sets the tone for property investment, and what was clear, despite the storm clouds gathering, is that the industry is positive about the future, which augers well for the finishes and interiors supply chain. FIND OUT MORE www.mipim.com www.specfinish.co.uk 23
LEGAL
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Perils lurking in agreement by email Barrister Professor Rudi Klein considers a recent case where a company sought to duck out of an email agreement.
• Mi-Space would also reduce the retention percentage from 5 per cent to 3 per cent in the next payment thus immediately releasing £44,208 of the retention. BCE’s reply was as follows: “Nick. Yes we are in agreement with this now. Can you carry on formalising the paperwork? Thanks for your efforts. Regards, Dave.” Dave was Dave Caddick, a director and principal shareholder in BCE. The promised payment of £79,862 was made by Mi-Space and BCE returned to site.
The arguments
BCE’s main argument was that the exchange of emails was always “subject to contract” and therefore the emails could not give rise to a legally binding agreement. A few days prior to the exchange of emails, Acheson and Caddick had met on a without prejudice basis. No agreement had been reached at the meeting but BCE maintained that it had insisted that, should agreement be reached, it would have to be a formal agreement signed by both parties. BCE had not waived this requirement by returning to site; this was simply a “gesture of good faith”. Mi-Space rejected BCE’s argument that the email agreement was made on a “subject to contract” basis. BCE had regretted entering into that agreement and was now looking for a way out. In the meeting just prior to the email agreement, and in email/telephone exchanges immediately following the meeting, there was no reference to the need for both parties to sign a formal agreement.
The court’s decision The background
The case is Mi-Space (UK) Ltd v Bridgwater Civil Engineering Ltd (2015). Mi-Space, part of the Midas Group, was the main contractor for a residential development in Plymouth known as Mount Wise. Bridgwater Civil Engineering (BCE) was the groundworks subcontractor. BCE had submitted a payment application in the net sum of £346,177. Mi-Space failed to serve its payment notice on time. The amount applied for became the due sum; Mi-Space refused to pay. Subsequently, BCE suspended its work (as it was entitled to do). BCE referred the dispute to an adjudicator who ordered Mi-Space to pay the sum claimed. Mi-Space refused to do so whereupon BCE issued court proceedings to enforce the adjudicator’s decision. Mi-Space argued that the adjudicator should not have rejected its defence; the matter had been settled by an agreement that had been reached by an exchange of emails. 24 Advertising 01926 420660
The emails
The two emails in question were sent on the same day – 3 March 2015. The first was from a Nick Acheson, project surveyor for Mi-Space. It started off: “Further to our recent telephone discussion I am pleased to confirm the revised agreed proposal to resolve the account issue at Mount Wise…” The key elements of this email were that: • BCE would withdraw its claim, return to site immediately and that it would not claim costs in relation to the suspension. • In return, Mi-Space would make an immediate interim payment of £79,862 and a further payment of £50,000 to be included in the first valuation of a possible future subcontract for another job (if this subcontract did not materialise, the £50,000 would, in any event, be paid by Mi-Space in a later valuation, a few months hence).
The evidence did not support BCE’s contention that the email agreement was to be subject to a formal agreement signed by both parties. In particular, previous email exchanges showed that discharge of the interim payment would dictate whether or not BCE returned to site, not the joint signing of an agreement which would have inevitably taken longer. Since the overriding concern for BCE was to obtain this payment, the suggestion that the return to site was “a gesture of good faith” was difficult to believe. This is what the judge had to say: “On the basis of these two emails [on 3 March] alone, in my judgement no sensible businessman could have thought that the other was intending anything but the achievement of a legally binding agreement.” The court granted Mi-Space a declaration that the dispute concerning BCE’s payment application was settled by the exchange of emails on 3 March 2015. By refusing to be bound by the settlement agreement, BCE had repudiated that agreement. In accepting this repudiation,
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Mi-Space was not bound by any of its obligations that remained to be discharged. The adjudicator’s decision was wrong and, therefore, ceased retrospectively to having any effect.
Comment
The immediacy of email exchanges always creates the risk that they haven’t been properly thought through, or of overlooking the need for some third-party advice. In some cases, there will be businesses that labour under the mistaken belief that email exchanges cannot give rise to legally binding agreements. BCE’s mistake was its failure to make clear that its simple emailed acceptance of Mi-Space’s offer was “subject to contract”. But the use of these words is not necessarily “waterproof”, especially if the informal agreement is complete in most respects and the actions of the claimant have indicated that it had waived the need for a formal contract. The best advice is to avoid entering into critical agreements (having significant financial implications) by email unless advice has been obtained from a person in the business responsible for providing legal and/or commercial advice, or from an external legal adviser.
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FEATURE
TOOLS
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Smaller and more powerful Advanced tool technology is combining greater protection with productivity improvements. Therefore, having the right tools that are safe and powerful is critical for ensuring that standards remain high. Adrian JG Marsh looks at some recent developments. Batteries just keep getting lighter and more powerful, and improved battery technology has created the explosion in cordless power tool ranges that is providing fitters and fixers with more flexibility and choice than ever before. There is only so much to be squeezed out of materials’ suppliers or the labour market, but innovations in tools and fixings offer potential savings for contractors. “There is little doubt that certain combinations of tools and fixings can improve productivity,” said Mark Grocock, managing director of Newark-based Bespoke Drywall. “The steady improvement in battery life, weight and recharging times has made the clumsy cabled drywall screw-guns obsolete,” added Mr Grocock, who sees other benefits from this improved productivity. “The advantage of many [new tools] is they also improve safety. As a company we long ago stopped purchasing mains power tools. Our lads will order the tools and we allow them to pay for them over a fixed period. We’re now on third generation Hilti cordless drywall guns which, though expensive, are at the top of their game. Add to this the magazine which allows the use of collated screws and you have a proper and super-fast tool,” he continued. Richard Gunn, the finishing and interiors trade manager at Hilti, said: “Hilti launched its next generation of 22V batteries earlier this year. Each battery has increased runtime by up to 80 per cent, creating performance that’s equivalent to, and in some cases superior to, traditional corded products.”
26 Advertising 01926 420660
Terry Hallahan, technical manager at DEWALT, agrees about the continuing growth of cordless technology: “This trend is expected to continue, particularly in the interiors sector. Needless to say, they provide the convenience of a totally portable solution that can be used anywhere on-site. And with no trailing cables, they can also improve safety in a busy workplace.” Ross Cheney, SPIT product manager at ITW Construction Products, said: “The SPIT Pulsa system maximises productivity and minimises downtime by combining Lithium Ion power with Start & GO technology that turns the tool on and off based on motion.” Stuart McCrudden from Makita’s marketing department said: “Contractors tell us that they want smaller tools with more power. Batteries are longer lasting and we’re up to 5Ah units. “All through the construction world we’re trying to find solutions to identified problems. We take our R&D guys to visit customers and can see how the powered caulking gun is a fine example of making life easier for fitters.” Bosch has also extended its range of 18V power tools to include a new compact cordless sabre saw. The GSA 18 V-LI C Professional combines a low weight of just 2.5 kilograms with high power. The tools market is much more than just tools and consumables, though. New services are available to help contractors manage their assets and allow companies to control all the equipment they own – regardless of item, size and manufacturer. Hilti ON!Track keeps an accurate record of assets, showing where they are, what condition
they are in and which employee is responsible for them at any given moment. Initial benefits of this technology include increased speed and accuracy of stock checks; fast and secure identification of tools, including batteries, accessories and consumables; on-site tracking; and the ability to store asset-related information, such as service intervals and hand-arm vibration and dust exposure limits. The technology behind Hilti ON!Track is Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that scan batches of equipment. They connect over a mobile network or Wi-Fi, updating a secure cloud-based master record instantly, which can also be viewed by web or mobile. Mr Gunn said: “Working in conjunction, the system will track and search for all tagged assets and minimise losses, assign individuals to each piece of equipment, allow the rapid reassignment of products, maintain asset lists quickly and avoid time-consuming stock checks.” Over at DEWALT, the new Tool Connect Smartphone App has recently been introduced – a security tracking and management tool for its new Bluetooth-enabled rechargeable batteries. Mr Hallahan explained: “Tool Connect can be used to enable/disable the battery remotely via a smartphone if, say, it has been stolen. Individual battery status can be checked via the App and alerts issued if a battery is taken out of the prohibited range or power is running low.” Health and safety has, of course, always been a key issue in the construction industry. Major manufacturers are committed to the development of products that satisfy increasingly stringent health and safety standards and which help to create a cleaner, safer working environment. Yet, for all these improvements, there is one tool that manufacturers cannot provide. “You still need the ultimate tool,” concluded Mr Grocock. “Quality labour.” FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
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MARKET ANALYSIS
PRIVATE HOUSING
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The housing conundrum
From the 1960s and all through the 1970s, the UK built more than 250,000 homes a year. Such a sustained period of high-level house building was only accomplished due to a combined effort from both local authorities and the private sector. At the 1968 peak, around half of all homes were built by the private sector whilst the other half by local authorities. Today, the figures make for very different reading. Construction Products Association economist Amandeep Bahra provides some explanation.
purchased, planning permission may be secured, but with conditions attached to it which often result in lengthy negotiations. It would be unfair to say that the complexity of the planning system has not been challenged, however. Successive governments have embarked on a package of planning reforms, under the National Planning Policy Framework, in order to speed up the supply of housing. Other measures include permitted development rights, which allow conversions from commercial properties into residential without the need for full planning permission, and automatic permission in principle on suitable brownfield sites. Recent data from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) reported that 253,000 homes were granted planning permission in the year to December 2015; 5 per cent higher than in the year to December 2014. But a look into the completions figures shows that a gap exists between when planning permissions are granted and new homes are built. Let’s not omit the fact that not all homes with approvals reach that stage – a proportion never gets built. In 2015, 110,620 homes were completed by the private sector compared with a figure of 92,750 in 2014. The Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment highlighted in its report ‘Building Better Places’ that Section 106 planning obligations slow down commencement of building with planning permission. This is again one possible explanation, among several others, which sheds light on the factors preventing homes from being built after planning approval has been achieved.
Low availability of land
Recent data by the NHBC showed that 137,427 homes were built in Great Britain in 2015, 72 per cent of which were built by the private sector and 28 per cent by local authorities and housing associations. Compare these figures to the ones stated in the introduction, and it is clear there’s been a significant shift in balance. Looking ahead, the CPA forecasts housing completions in Great Britain to grow 4 per cent in 2016 and 3.7 per cent in 2017, primarily due to private sector building, whilst public sector building on the contrary is expected to remain flat. By the end of the decade, we still do not expect the number of dwellings built per year to exceed 200,000; instead, we anticipate 167,000 units on average to be completed each year 28 Advertising 01926 420660
between 2016 and 2019. This may come as no surprise, but surely with house prices high, demand for housing robust (and supported by government initiatives) and profit margins for developers high, economic theory would have anticipated new firms entering the market and soaking up the monopoly profits. In what we’d call a ‘perfect, efficient market’, higher house prices should naturally translate into an increase in the number of homes built. In reality, however, this hasn’t happened. So, what has caused such unresponsive behaviour?
Planning system
In the private sector, planning permission is usually regarded as a major barrier. Once land is
Lack of available land is regarded as a major long-term constraint, limiting the number of homes being delivered. In the Autumn Statement and Spending Review 2015, the government announced the release of £4.5 billion worth of public sector land for 160,000 homes. Public sector land is only part of the solution, though. Private developers and landowners are deemed to be slowing the delivery of homes, by ‘sitting on land’, in order to keep profit margins intact. Based on data from DCLG, as of 31 March 2015 approximately 13 per cent of land area in England is designated as Green Belt. Between 2013/14 and 2014/15, there was a 0.1 per cent decrease in Green Belt, and although it offers an opportunity, it is politically seen as a last resort – so, it is unlikely be an easy solution.
Skills shortages
During the 2008 recession, several thousand workers left the construction industry. Even though recent figures have pointed towards
PRIVATE HOUSING
MARKET ANALYSIS www.thefis.org
growth in employment, a massive skills gap still remains. According to our Construction Trade Survey, in 2015 Q4 half of main contractors reported difficulties in recruiting on-site trades, such as bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers. This situation was prevalent throughout 2015. A shortage of skilled workers against a background of rising demand has applied upward pressure on wages and labour costs.
Fewer SMEs
The effects of planning permission, skills shortages and lack of small plots were felt dearly in the smaller end of the market, putting pressure on the ability of the small and medium-sized (SME) sector to deliver when it is already experiencing shrinking market size. According to the HBF, the number of SME businesses building up to 100 units per year has declined by 78 per cent since 1988. Availability of finance is still also cited as a major concern in the SME sector. A number of measures by the government have been put in place to support SMEs, including a £1 billion Builders’ Finance Fund to restart and speed up small building projects that were stalled by the economic slowdown. The fund will be available until 2020/21.
Public sector barriers
Undoubtedly, the involvement of the public sector in house building has been eroded. Even if they wish to continue building, their ability to do so is weighed down by a range of constraints, such as lack of funding and lower rental revenue streams, which reduces their ability to borrow. In the July Budget 2015, the government announced a 1.0 per cent cut in social rents per year for four years from April 2016 and extended the Right to Buy to housing association tenants. This, alongside cuts to housing benefits,
suggests lower future revenue income for both housing associations and local authorities. With so many barriers on the supply-side, it’s no wonder that the housing market is so inefficient. And with these issues likely to persist in the medium-term, there are questions whether the government’s target of one million homes by 2020 – 200,000 per year – will be met, even with the involvement of both the private and public sectors. With all of this in mind, the CPA envisages a maximum of 175,000 units completed in 2019.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
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What is your business doing about health surveillance? Every employer has a duty to continually improve working conditions for their employees to minimise the risk of occupational injury or illness. The latest tool to help employers reach this goal is a technique called ‘health surveillance’. At the most basic level, health surveillance is the process of monitoring environmental factors to identify health risks posed to
employees. More specifically, health surveillance typically involves regular routine employee health checks, such as hearing and
sight checks, lung function testing and skin irritant assessments. A health surveillance programme relies on technology and general observation to pinpoint hazards and provide early warning, allowing your team to take immediate action to further reduce those risks. Although the employer is responsible for setting up a health surveillance programme, everyone can play a part in making relevant observations and escalating concerns.
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Where to use health surveillance systems?
To ensure employee health is safeguarded, virtually any construction or refurbishment project should have some kind of supporting health surveillance regime. Any site that uses equipment with a vibrating element that generates significant levels of noise or dust, or even potentially exposes workers to irritants and harmful substances, should include health surveillance as part of the associated risk assessment. It is important to note that not every employee needs to have their health routinely monitored. Your risk assessment should identify those employees most at risk of developing work-related health issues, and then you’ll need to arrange to have those individuals monitored regularly. Your competent person, whether an in-house individual or an external adviser, will need to partner with a professional to carry out some of the measurements. The HSE does not outline any specific timescales for testing, but research by the University of Loughborough provides some recommended surveillance windows, depending on the conditions being monitored for. These are summarised here.
How does health surveillance apply to specific conditions? Just as every risk assessment is tailored to identifying hazards associated with specific
activities, so too will your health surveillance provisions. Employees at risk of hearing damage will not necessarily need to have their skin assessed, for instance. Here are some scenarios for which you should build health surveillance initiatives.
Dust exposure
Workplace dust causes a range of potentially fatal diseases, particularly pneumoconiosis. These conditions are characterised by the accumulation of dust and debris in a worker’s lungs that causes breathing problems and scarring of the lungs, with potentially fatal outcomes. When asbestosis dust is involved – a particular hazard in refurbishment projects – workers also risk developing various cancers and mesothelioma. Because pneumoconiosis and silicosis (another dust-related lung disease) are irreversible, you have a responsibility to prevent employees from developing such conditions. According to Loughborough University’s recommendations (www.lboro.ac.uk, search for ‘health surveillance’) employees at risk of developing work-related respiratory diseases need to have lung function tested when they first start on-site. For high-risk roles, they should be re-tested within 12 weeks, six months and every year thereafter. In between tests, employees will need to raise any health concerns they have with their line manager.
Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
The use of power tools on construction sites has led to an increase in hand–arm vibration injuries, known as HAVS. Any worker using power tools such as angle grinders or pneumatic drills risks developing this extremely painful condition, which can damage blood vessels, nerves and joints. HSE estimates that nearly two million UK workers are at risk of developing the condition. Although HAVS is a preventable condition, it cannot be cured, emphasising the importance of health surveillance in proactively protecting the health of workers. Any worker exposed to vibrations exceeding an average of 2.5 m/s2 should be asked about their work history to help establish a baseline. And they should then be assessed each subsequent year to see whether there has been any progression of it. Where concerns are raised, your business will need to put further protective measures in place to protect workers. Health surveillance is a vital part of your duties to your employees, and there is no room for mistakes. To learn more about developing a health surveillance programme, please get in touch with Veritas Consulting for free advice. FIND OUT MORE David Cant Veritas Consulting www.veritas-consulting.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 31
TRAINING www.specfinish.co.uk
On-site training to drive change Following a very successful delivery of 125 funded NVQ level 2 training places for experienced operatives in 2015, FIS has secured additional funding for further on-site pilots. Jeremy Clayton, FIS training manager, runs through the details.
18 months. The CITB funding, which FIS members will need to claim directly from CITB, is ‘topped up’ by FIS, enabling members to benefit from fully funded training. FIS has already proved that engaging with those defined as ‘hard-to-reach’ by the CITB is achievable through the project last year, but now the focused pilots will be looking at how to engage new entrants into the sector in different ways. For example, on-site training for an experienced construction operative who’s relatively new to the specific requirements of the finishes and interiors sector. Mark Harris, director of interior fit-out company CIM, is just one FIS member who has already benefited from this funded training. “During a recent post-tender interview with a main contractor and architect, the disclosure of the fact that we had recently put 25 ceiling fixers through their NVQ level 2 was extremely well received,” commented Mr Harris. “FIS introduced us to the NVQ Training Centre. Their committed attitude to training made everything straightforward and the training itself was a big step towards our aspirations of a 100 per cent trained workforce.”
their CSCS card application. The funding being used to support this drive for change within the sector comes under FIND OUT MORE CITB’s Flexible Funding Initiative, designed for construction skills and Jeremy Clayton jeremyclayton@thefis.org training projects lasting up to
FIS is committed to helping qualify relevant occupations within the finishes and interiors sector workforce to a minimum of NVQ level 2. This sector-funding training initiative, developed with help from CITB, is providing money for a number of opportunities, one of which is on-site skills training. And the announcement in January that FIS had secured additional funding was very welcome news. This funding has been secured with the intention to drive change within the sector. FIS will provide this funding through focused pilot projects that aim to address the skills shortage. On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) will be the vehicle used to help upskill the workforce. This type of training is designed for experienced 32 Advertising 01926 420660
operatives who need to get a CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card but who have no formal qualifications and don’t want to be away from the job. By taking part and working hard to prepare for the assessment process, candidates can gain Interior Systems NVQ level 2 in the following occupations: interiors, drylining and relocatable partitioning. Typically, operatives will require two or three site visits over a six-month period in order to prove competence. Qualified assessors from accredited training providers will make contact with workers, plan ahead for assessments and simplify the administration. Everything happens on-site, and the assessors aim to fully prepare candidates for assessment right through to supporting them with
FIS online training service launches this month
CourseSight is a new online service that matches training providers and employers in a one-stop location, and enables courses to be publicised and booked. Developed by FIS in partnership with software provider Reference Point, CourseSight will go live on Thursday 26 May with a London launch event providing the platform for a full demonstration and opportunity to register interest. The event is open to training providers and employers within the finishes and interiors sector. Places are limited, please contact helenyeulet@thefis.org to reserve.
TRAINING www.thefis.org
Tailored training initiative benefits new homeowners
Call for entries: The Plaisterers’ Training Awards – Student of the Year 2016
have completed the course with a refresher programme planned. By recognising where faults could occur, Willmott Dixon employees are better equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality homes. The programme has increased levels of health and safety understanding within the company, meaning issues on-site can be dealt with efficiently, minimising delays. Charlie Scherer, COO for Willmott Dixon Housing Limited, said: “Clients rightly demand exacting standards, and this course ensures our British Gypsum has partnered with people are given the opportunity to understand contractor Willmott Dixon to enhance its what we mean by ‘ready for occupation’.” existing site quality course with a bespoke British Gypsum’s national technical training programme. As part of this academy manager, David Hall, said: “Delivering innovative approach, British Gypsum built a industry-leading training is a central part of our custom-made, full-scale construction site, business. We work closely with major industry known as the Recapping Zone, in which bodies like the FIS and the CITB to promote Willmott Dixon employees are tasked with the importance of training16:10 and upskilling locating over 40 staged faults that could 27965 Solutions for Subcontractors AD occur 188x130_Layout 1 23/09/2015 Page 1 of tradespeople across the industry.” in real-life projects. To date, 436 employees
The Plaisterers’ Training Awards recognise the highest standards of achievement in training and education within the UK plastering trade. Since 2001, when the Plaisterers’ Training Awards were introduced, they have grown significantly in content and importance. The Plaisterers’ Livery Company is now inviting nominations for the Student of the Year Award 2016. To enter, the person needs to have been working in the plastering and drylining sector for at least 12 months and have undertaken a course of training and/or assessment between September 2014 and June 2016. This Award recognises excellence in achievement. The closing date for entries is Friday 8 July 2016 and the Award will be presented by The Lord Mayor, Alderman the Lord Mountevans, in the wonderful surrounding of Plaisterer’s Hall on Monday 7 November 2016.
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FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.specfinish.co.uk
Calendar of events FIS Awards Lunch Dorchester Hotel, London 7 June 2016 FIS Scottish Awards George Hotel, Edinburgh 9 September 2016 FIS Members’ Meetings Birmingham 14 June 2016 (2–6pm) The Arden Hotel, Solihull Manchester 29 September 2016 (2–6pm) Renaissance Hotel, Manchester
Welcome to new FIS members Accent Commercial www.accentcommercial.co.uk Accent Commercial specialises in all ranges of interior construction services from interior fit-out, renovation, maintenance and refurbishment.
Saint-Gobain Formula www.saintgobainformula.com Formula is a supplier of high-performance industrial casting plasters used for ceramics, decorative and dental in Europe.
Spiralis Europe www.spiraliseurope.com Spiralis specialises in the design, planning and supply of coordinated interiors ranging from structural elements to furnishings and accessories.
Sparta Systems www.spartasystems.co.uk Sparta Systems is a professional supply and fix subcontractor carrying out works including SFS, internal partitions, drylining, plastering, ceilings and joinery.
CPC UK www.cpcukltd.co.uk CPC UK specialises in all types of plastering, screeding, drylining and suspended ceilings.
S E Ceilings www.seceilingsltd.co.uk SE Ceilings is a suspended ceiling and partitioning company that specialises in servicing the retail and leisure sector.
34 Advertising 01926 420660
New management posts at Encon Group A number of changes to the Encon Insulation and Nevill Long management structure came into effect on 1 December 2015 to help improve business performance and enhance service offering. Two new regional managing director (MD) roles were created: Andy Clift for the North and Cliff Bridge for the South. Each MD will be responsible for creating and driving strategy in line with the group’s ambitious growth plans. In addition, two new regional directors will report into these MDs: Douglas Crawford in the North and Kenny Clarke in the South. The regional directors will support the branches to deliver business improvement with an absolute focus on profitable growth. In the coming months, the Encon Group will also be introducing a number of new regional roles. FIND OUT MORE www.nevilllong.co.uk / www.encon.co.uk
Paragon is top of the Top 100 A place in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For list is a much-coveted one. And FIS member Paragon Interiors Group is not just celebrating any place within the Top 100; it’s celebrating a place at the very top. The top 100 places are awarded following research that focuses on workplace engagement. It’s the staff themselves who fill in the anonymous surveys from which the scores are compiled, meaning that the opinions gathered come directly from the people who work hard for the success of the business. The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For celebration was held at Battersea Evolution at Battersea Park, in London, on 24 February when Nottingham-based FIND OUT MORE Paragon’s top position in the list was revealed. www.paragonplc.com The company also won the title in 2014.
Instarmac climbs the list Instarmac Group has also been recognised in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For list. Confirmation of Instarmac’s entry in the 2016 list means that the company has now been recognised in this way on seven separate occasions. In the 2016 list, Instarmac climbed 40 places from its 2015 standing to secure a position at
number 38 – the group’s best ever ranking. The group, which manufactures products for the highway maintenance, tiling, flooring, landscaping and internal finishes markets, achieved 3-star status, which is the highest level possible. FIND OUT MORE www.instarmac.co.uk
FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.thefis.org
Adrian Allbrighton shortlisted for managerial award The managing director of FIS member Profab Access Ltd has been shortlisted for Manager of the Year in the Investors in People (IIP) Awards. These global awards celebrate the best people management practices amongst IIP-accredited businesses. Adrian Allbrighton is one of just seven people shortlisted from over 300 entries received internationally – an outstanding achievement. The small family-based company manufactures access panels and riser doors, and Adrian was secretly nominated by finance manager Helen Perry. She said “Adrian is a standout manager of people. He is selfless in his approach, always strives to bring out the best in us, stays calm and guides his team with him.” The IIP award assessors stated: “Adrian
Style makes it a first on NBS Library
sounds like an exceptional managing director. The application is strong, articulating the various attributes demonstrated by Adrian and the initiatives he has promoted. The outcomes are impressive, with 220 per cent increase in turnover as a headline.” Votes are accepted until 13 June with the winner being announced on 29 June. FIND OUT MORE Investors in People: Manager of the Year www.investorsinpeople.com/manager2016
Style has become the first company to make BIM objects for folding wall systems available on the NBS National BIM Library. NBS-authored BIM objects must be consistent with the industry standard, with complete data that is in the correct format to allow full collaboration and information exchange throughout a project. Rather than simply delivering downloadable 3D objects in different graphical formats, Style’s BIM files on the NBS National BIM Library provide customers with up-to-date, reliable and precise product data for the planning, construction and management of buildings. As of April this year, all centrally procured public sector construction projects will require the implementation of BIM at Level 2. FIND OUT MORE www.style-partitions.co.uk
Construction United calls for support in leading the way A new coalition made up of key industry stakeholders is set to challenge negative associations of the construction industry and present the sector in its true light. ‘Construction United’, which was launched at the FIS President’s Lunch in February, aims to bring everyone with a vested interest in construction together to actively improve perceptions of the sector and employees at all levels while supporting a number of relevant causes. FIS and SIG are included in the list of early supporters of the initiative, which will see an event-packed week of activities taking place from 17 to 23 October that showcase all that’s great in construction while raising money. And with awareness of mental health in the workplace high on the public agenda, Construction United wants the industry to lead the way in addressing the stigma around this issue. Mark Tomlin, group sales and marketing director at Construction United partner SIG Distribution, said: “This initiative isn’t about an individual business or charity making themselves look great; it’s about a workforce that is more than two million strong being proud of the great things that they do – and making sure that every stakeholder engaged in the process gets to stand with them.” Construction United is actively calling on businesses from the construction industry and beyond to pledge their support to the cause by signing up online and taking part in some of the exciting activities planned in 2016. FIND OUT MORE www.constructionunited.co.uk
Nigel Roberts (l) with his son and new MD Andrew.
New managing director for Paramount Interiors
Andrew Roberts has taken over the position of managing director of Cardiff-based Paramount Interiors from his father, Nigel Roberts, who established the company in 1989. Since then, the independent and family-run company has grown into an award-winning supplier of office design, fit-out and furniture. After joining the sales team in 2007 as a business development manager, Andrew has been responsible for securing several major projects. Nigel will now take a step back from the day-to-day running of the business but will take up the new role of executive chairman, overseeing the strategic direction of the company, which he retains full ownership of with his wife, Bridget. FIND OUT MORE www.paramountinteriors.com www.specfinish.co.uk 35
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