ÂŁ3.50 November 2015
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Pioneering sector products Page 6
Viewpoint: Ceiling tiles play a vital role p5
Technical: Spontaneous breakages in glass p12
FIS conference: Ready for change
p15
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INSIDE THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF SPECFINISH 04 Voice of the industry: Where’s the scandal now? 16 Logistics: How the supply chain tackles the movement of men, materials and machines to ensure that productivity is maintained. 19 Are you covered? Barrister Professor Rudi Klein helps you get to grips with the standard construction insurance clauses. 22 Waking up to digitisation: Technology is set to drive a new era of smart construction and digital design in the interiors sector. 24 Market analysis: Health construction finally takes a turn. 28 Training: How Barnsley College is training up the construction professionals of the future. 30 FIS news: New awards to recognise skills and leadership.
CONTACT US EDITORIAL Editor: Adrian JG Marsh Email: ajmarsh@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 2015 SpecFinish is distributed to members of FIS and other selected leading finishes and interiors businesses.
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CITB streamlines to improve efficiency Industry training came in for criticism at the annual FIS conference in Warwickshire last month, but CITB chief executive Adrian Belton answered critics by outlining a streamlining of CITB so that it becomes more responsive. Earlier in the day Suzannah Nichol MBE, Build UK chief executive, told delegates that resources were a critical component of the construction industry’s future but that taking on only 10,000 apprentices a year is dismal and that the £163 million in training levy should be spent more wisely. Mr Belton told FIS delegates that CITB had spent the last 12 months removing unnecessary tiers of management and starting to move away from delivering direct training to become an enabler and promoter. An early review of CITB by Mr Belton had found that CITB
Adrian Belton, CITB chief executive staff spent only 20 per cent of their time actively working with their customers and that the remainder was wasted on managing themselves. Delegates heard that one of the big changes has been the streamlining of grants. Gone are the days when a complex web of grants made it difficult for contractors to access funds. Some 50 grants have been
replaced by just two. Mr Belton said: “In future we’re going to be more like investment fund managers managing pots of funds and looking for a return on our investments with clear objectives that will benefit the industry. We want to get a bigger bang for our buck.” FIND OUT MORE www.citb.co.uk
Output continues to rise Construction output in September rose to its highest level in seven months, according to the latest Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey. The PMI survey registered 59.9 in September, up from 57.3 the previous month and well above the neutral 50.0 threshold which separates expansion from contraction. Housebuilding was the best-performing category of construction activity in September and was the strongest for 12 months, which some survey respondents attributed to the launch of development projects that had been delayed earlier in 2015. Commercial construction activity also rose sharply in September, with the pace of growth accelerating to a seven-month high. Meanwhile, civil engineering activity increased for the fifth consecutive month and the rate of expansion picked up to its fastest since February. Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI, said: “Construction firms enjoyed a strong finish to the third quarter of 2015, as a sustained rebound in
new development projects continued to have an impact on the ground. “September data suggests that the UK construction sector is still experiencing its most intense cycle of job hiring for at least 15 years, and consequently skill shortages remain a dominant concern across the industry.” The Construction Product Association’s State of Trade Survey for the third quarter of 2015 also indicated continued progress with construction product manufacturers’ sales increasing for a tenth consecutive quarter. Growth was held back by weakness in exports, but manufacturers continue to be optimistic over prospects for the next 12 months. Rebecca Larkin, the association’s economist, said: “We have now seen ten quarters of sustained growth reported by construction product manufacturers, led by demand from the private housing, industrial and infrastructure sectors.” FIND OUT MORE www.constructionproducts.org.uk
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Shortages threaten Collaborative working Northern Powerhouse sets industry standards Professionals from across the construction industry have warned that any boost in productivity offered by the government’s Northern Powerhouse plan is threatened by a lack of available workers on the ground, according to research conducted by UK Construction Week. Charlie Scherer, chief operating officer at the residential construction business Willmott Dixon, said: “While it is welcome news that devolution deals will likely increase development in the major northern hubs, there is much to be done if the industry is to have the capacity to make the most of the opportunities presented. Skills shortages are now equal to their pre-recession highs. Our industry is expected to
grow by 2.9 per cent every year for the next five years, creating 224,000 new jobs, but as we expect 400,000 people to retire in the same period, a major gap is placing that growth in jeopardy.” Chris Wood, chief executive at Develop Training, an accredited provider of compliance, technical and safety training, said: “An aging and poorly trained workforce is a real problem facing the construction industry. Without a marked increase in training provision, it is difficult to see how new construction opportunities will be delivered appropriately.” FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
Collaborative working has achieved a significant outcome to improve the quality of nearly 2,000 theatre buildings throughout England according to The Theatres Trust. Claire Appleby from The Theatres Trust told the FIS annual conference last month that the collaboration began after the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End in December 2013. There are 500 theatres with historic fibrous plaster ceilings. Specialists from across the sector came together to ensure that theatre ceilings are properly maintained and the work of The Theatres Trust, the Association of British Theatre Technicians and FIS has led to forming a Theatre Ceiling Group and the
preparation of a new guide covering Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment. The guide details the scope of survey covering the existing conditions of the structural elements and the plaster elements of suspended ceilings in theatres. It proposes that inspections should be carried out by a chartered structural engineer alongside a ‘competent’ plastering contractor. The aims of surveys will be to look for signs of water damage, structural shifts or deterioration in stability, impact damage and the attachment of all suspended parts to the main structure of the building. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
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COMMENT & OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk
Editor’s column
Changing relationships Strong relationships are more important than ever. Dress it up in whatever way you want: partnering, collaboration or supply chain management, unless you have access to the right and most-reliable resources you won’t get to the starting gate, let alone past the finishing post. Resources have relegated payment from the top spot of business concerns. No business can function effectively unless it has the right resources in place, and to hold onto your hard-won resources you need good relationships where confidence and trust are the core principles that act as the glue for success. Resources are more than just skilled labour. Whether in logistics (page 16), technology (page 22) or training (page 28), solid relationships leverage greater value and strengthen a business. Managing scarce resources effectively is a skill that helps to set the strong apart from the weak. At last month’s FIS annual conference (see page 15) the chief executive of Build UK said it was dismal that the construction industry had only taken on 10,000 apprentices in the last year, and other speakers warned about concerns over resources. But don’t worry, we’ll just import more to fill the gap and the problem will go away – for the time being. Surely to be a world-class business you just have to think differently, especially in a service environment, and deliver a superior service? Those that do gain the respect and trust of their customers, they attract the best resources at the best prices, while those that don’t will wither and die. Our new-look SpecFinish is a small contribution to demonstrate that the finishes and interiors sector is changing for the better.
Adrian JG Marsh Editor 04 Advertising 01926 420660
Where’s the scandal now? Government has for a long time chastised the construction industry for being disorganised, expensive and only coming to them with their problems and a begging bowl. “Why can’t you be more like the car industry?” they say; they are easy to deal with, produce quality products and have worked hard to reduce their environmental impact. And until a month ago we hung our heads and tried to work out how to be more like the car industry. Then came the VW scandal, and it really is a scandal. The deliberate rigging of the testing process by getting the car to understand when it was being tested and modify the performance to improve the data is, in one sense, extremely clever, but, on the other, extremely cynical. To have deliberately defrauded consumers and governments in such a systematic way will take some magical feats of recovery and deep deep pockets. To put this into perspective, it’s not just about money: 50,000 premature deaths each year are a result of air pollution, many of these caused by NOx and diesel particulate – none of which you can see. So this has a human cost and is pretty personal if you have a child who suffers from asthma. So now we in construction are not looking quite so bad, are we? Well before we start to put out the flags perhaps we ought to just consider how we perform in the performance stakes. Last year the UK Green Building Council issued a report stating that the average building used 200 per cent more energy than the design intent. That’s 200 per cent! Yet there is no public outcry. Part of the reason there is little awareness around the poor performance of buildings is that most clients don’t realise there is a problem or are not responsible for paying the energy bill. The opaque nature of the developer/landlord/ tenant relationship has a big part to play here. How does this disparity come about? Well a good deal comes from the process of ‘value
engineering’ where in order to meet an unrealistic budget the design is changed to effect cost savings. If every part of the design shifts just a small amount the cumulative effect is large. How else do we explain the performance gap of 200 per cent? The difference between what VW has done and our performance gap is that in buildings it’s difficult to detect and everyone is ‘value engineering’. The FT’s chief business commentator, John Gapper, wrote about this situation last month, saying: “However conventional it is to bend the industry’s regulations, however great an advantage your rivals gain, however much pressure you face to do so too, there is a simple test for deciding whether to succumb to temptation. What would happen if the world found out? How great would the damage be?” Well, unlike VW, it isn’t exactly a secret: we openly discuss the issue but don’t address it. That’s because the true cost of the performance gap is picked up by the tenant not the developer. But the biggest loser is the UK tax payer because if the average building uses 200 per cent more energy we need to build new nuclear power stations. If we didn’t use the energy, we wouldn’t need to generate it. Surely as we change our industry from analogue to digital and embrace the brave new world of BIM this situation will be allowed to prevail, if only because it will become easier for clients to recognise the performance gap. We may not have a scandal as big as the VW deception, but it is time we started focusing on the product. If we delivered a better product (not just the way it looks) we might find the image problem we all worry about sorts itself out. I mean, look at the car industry! DAVID FRISE FIS chief executive www.thefis.org
VIEWPOINT
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Ceiling tiles play a vital role in interior aesthetics The impact of ceiling tiles on the overall aesthetics of an interior shouldn’t be underestimated, says David Whittle, CCF category manager. In fact, they’ve become one of the most important aspects of interior design and play a significant role in creating healthy and effective environments for work, relaxation and leisure. Plus, ceiling height, various finishes and integrated lighting all give the designer and specifier far greater freedom to achieve their desired look whilst supporting the practical use of the building. When combined, ceilings can provide an added level of creativity that’s unmatched by any other element of the room. Whilst cheaper options might be suitable for a room with low specification requirements, such
as a storage room, aesthetics will still be an important factor for the customer. After all, a clean, white, finely sanded tile can make all the difference and provide the ideal finishing touch when creating a modern and open plan space. Opting for a slightly higher quality tile brings with it a number of additional benefits. Whereas a particular finish can contribute to the aesthetics of the overall room,
ceiling tiles are also an important element when meeting acoustic and fire protection standards. After all, why install carefully planned partitioning that meets regulations, and then opt for a ceiling system that does nothing to contribute to the sound absorption or fire ratings of the room? Modern ceiling tile ranges make it simple to address the balance between quality and cost. Having
the choice of a wider range of sizes and edges addresses previously common installation challenges, and finishes that can give either a subtle or modern look provide the specifier with greater control than ever before. Furthermore, choosing a reputable supplier brings advantages that shouldn’t be overlooked, such as reliable availability. In addition to standard ceiling tiles, which will always have a role to play, there is also a growing demand for ceiling systems with a greater choice of aesthetics and performance which also meet regular changes to building regulations. With this in mind, specialist contractors need to keep on top of the latest market offerings to ensure the best possible solution is always provided on-site. DAVID WHITTLE CCF category manager www.ccfltd.co.uk
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New joint filler and finish from Wondertex Wondertex has relaunched its Joint Filler and Joint Finish products as prem filler and prem finish, both of which have improved formulations and are packaged in a long-life bag with a polyethylene liner layer. These new products join ‘prem fill & finish’, which was launched earlier in the year. The new prem filler, available in a 12.5kg bag, provides improved drying time for early finish coat application, faster setting for quicker job completion and a formulation that is harder when set. Available in 25kg bags is the new prem finish, which is suitable for the finishing of all plasterboard joints and has been specially developed for hand and machine jointing. www.wondertex.co.uk
Curved baffles pioneered by Armstrong Ceilings
Stansted asks SAS International back for metal ceiling solution
Armstrong Ceilings has launched curved mineral baffles to enhance its existing range of rectangular ones. The mineral Optima curved baffles feature all the benefits of the traditional rectangular ones but with the added twist of a unique waveform edge which allows designers to create a fresh aesthetic without compromising acoustic performance. The new curved mineral range retains the mineral baffles’ signature feature of pre-fitted and repositionable spiral anchors for easy alignment and installation, saving subcontractors time on-site. Especially suited to large open spaces with contemporary exposed soffits, such as transport hubs, schools and offices, the new curved baffles are ready to fix from a standard suspension grid or direct from the soffit to give easy plenum access, arrayed or staggered for an even more exciting dynamic. Available in two sizes and painted white on all edges for high light reflectance of 87 per cent, the new curved baffles provide sound absorption on all surfaces, either as a ‘planar’ absorber when installed as a linear array, or as a ‘discrete’ absorber when installed as separate decorative elements. Armstrong’s new Optima curved baffles come in any RAL colour, are available in bespoke sizes and shapes for refurbishment as well as new build projects, and are supported by CAD drawings.
Tektura exhibited at Decorex 2015 in September showcasing 20 new fabric-backed wallcoverings, a range of cutting-edge designs and its Rare Finds collection – a hand-picked selection of specialist high-end wallcoverings and tiles from around the world. Rare Finds incorporates gold and silver leaf, silk threads, resin and glass beads into its designs. Within the Rare Finds collection, you can choose from Amphora, a cork-tile effect wallcovering in pearls and metallics; Quartz Block, shimmering metallic foils that create a dramatic effect; Infinity Trellis, an industrial style trellis pattern with a rough-stone texture; and Shibori, a large-scale Indonesian-inspired ikat stripe design with a classic silk texture.
www.armstrong.co.uk
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SAS International has won the contract for Stansted Airport’s Pier 1 refurbishment, part of an £8m upgrade of the Satellite One departure area to offer enhanced passenger facilities. Over 4,000m² of products are being supplied by SAS International, who was selected for providing delivery time assurance and meeting high aesthetic demands within the budget. The complete specification includes SAS bespoke baffles, curved bulkheads and SAS System 330 suspended ceilings with mega access panels. The working history between SAS International and Stansted Airport is a well-established one. SAS International worked on the Main Terminal in the early 1990s, and in 2008 it was also specified for the International Arrivals extension. Kent-based FIS member Integra Contracts is the specialist ceiling contractor working for main contractor GallifordTry on the Satellite One departure area refurbishment, which is due for completion this year. www.sasintgroup.com
Tektura takes inspiration from across the world
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New nature-inspired flooring collections from Interface Modular flooring manufacturer Interface unveiled its latest nature-inspired global campaign in September at its showroom in Clerkenwell, London. The new skinny plank collections, named Equal Measure, Near & Far, and Narratives, draw on the variation and calming colourways found in the outdoors. The collections are the latest examples of Interface using nature to inspire innovation. In celebration of this, Interface collaborated with thought-leading architecture and design practice Exploration to demonstrate the value of incorporating nature’s principles into the built environment and hosted the ‘Design with Nature’ exhibition during September and October. Projects on show at the exhibition included the Biomimetic Office Building, the Sahara Forest Project and the BioRock Pavilion. Interface also hosted inspirational industry figures with talks on topics including the benefits of using the functionality and processes found in nature to inspire design. www.interface.com
A ‘Lifestyle Wall’ for a flexible lifestyle British Gypsum’s new Lifestyle Wall plasterboard has been installed on a residential refurbishment job in Nottinghamshire. Lifestyle Wall is a tough board created through the development of Gyproc Habito, which is five times stronger than plasterboard. The main benefit of Lifestyle Wall for homeowners is its reinforced core, which means items such as TV brackets and shelves can be installed using a single no. 10 screw to support a weight of 15kg. There’s no need for specialist fixings. JSW Property Services in Nottingham put the plasterboard through its paces. It was installed on all interior walls in the loft and on walls in the kitchen to meet the homeowner’s desire for a wall solution that offered installation flexibility in the long term. Antony Ford of JSW said: “It’s much the same as normal plasterboard, only slightly heavier due to the reinforced core – though this isn’t a problem with two people on the job. Once you’ve screwed it up to the timber, it’s exactly the same to use. “The difference in strength compared to standard plasterboard is immediately obvious. It’s brilliant; you don’t even need to reinforce it at the back.” www.roomsmadeforyou.com
Heradesign floating raft ceiling creates relaxing airport lounge
CCF’s professional interiors solutions brand, Sektor, has launched a new ceilings range which means interior specialists can now purchase a complete package of solutions from a single source. As well as improving and updating the Sahara and Spintone ceiling tiles, Sektor has created a new premium product called Puretone. The complete range is complemented by the Sektor TruGrid system, which is available in both hook and click versions and is also fully fire-rated, combining outstanding stability and strength with efficient installation. The new Sektor range, available exclusively at CCF, provides a solution for all market applications and offers a greater choice of tile sizes, finishes and edges, in addition to durability, fire resistance, sound attenuation and absorption performance qualities. Sektor TruGrid comes with a 15-year full system warranty.
Knauf AMF Heradesign ceiling rafts have been installed at Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) new Premier Lounge at London Heathrow Airport. Architect firm Bramble Design was appointed to design the interior using SIA’s corporate style and to ensure materials selected complied with Heathrow’s stringent requirements. Manufactured from wood-wool, Heradesign ceiling panels are lightweight, easy to cut and versatile as they can be fitted as a suspended ceiling, hung as rafts or fins, or fixed directly onto walls or ceilings. Their natural woven finish, which closely matched the grain and texture of the original SIA concept, is available in five face patterns, a wide range of sizes and edge details, and many colours. Heradesign offers the highest level of sound absorption (Class A) which effectively reduces the impact of intrusive background noise so passengers can wait for their flight in a calm environment. Kunal Vekaria at HLS Installation, who fitted the ceiling rafts, commented: “Knauf AMF worked with us to ensure the fixings would hold and advised on how to ensure the panels would sit flush.”
www.sektorinteriors.com
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New tile and grid range from Sektor at CCF
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The perfect substrate for the perfect finish With no screed to dry, Knauf GIFAfloor makes installation faster and allows floor finishes to be laid within hours, not weeks. Knauf GIFAfloor panels have an engineered tongue and grooved edge to ensure a strong bond when laid, creating robust monolithic floors with excellent load bearing capacity. Total design freedom is facilitated as Knauf GIFAfloor’s strength and stability make it the ideal substrate for natural stone or porcelain finishes, giving peace of mind in high-end projects applications. To find out how Knauf GIFAfloor can help your next project download more information online at www.knauf.co.uk
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A Tata Steel Enterprise
The finish is everything As a professional, we know that you care about the finish. The tiny details that make a good job great. The sharp lines and beautiful edges that give you pride in your work. That’s why we created the Catnic Plastering range. Not made for the hobbyist. Our products are made with precision from superior materials, for plasterers who care about the finish. Stainless steel, PVCu and galvanised beads are all available as part of our extensive range. With a wide selection of render, drywall and decorative applications to choose from, including fibremesh, drywall tape, and expanded metal lath. Simply visit www.catnic.com/plastering or call us on 02920 337900 to discover more.
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Armstrong Ceilings help to regulate hospital temperature
Kingspan starts final phase at Chiswick Park Kingspan Access Floors has started installing floor panels on the final phase of the Chiswick Park office development in West London where nearly 200,000m² of its product has been installed in all 12 buildings during the past 15 years. Kingspan’s latest order from Lend Lease is to install 30,522m² of RMG 600 panels in the largest building on the development, a 12-storey office complex which is aiming for a BREEAM Excellent rating. In line with fast build techniques being applied by Lend Lease, Kingspan will be delivering panels daily throughout the programme to complete the installation by January 2016. www.kingspanaccessfloors.co.uk
Komfort achieves SKA Rating
Ceiling systems from Armstrong have been specified for a new Pre-Operative Assessment Department and Surgical Admissions Suite at Bristol Royal Infirmary. Some 300m2 of Armstrong’s CoolZone passive energy-saving tiles were used alongside 300m2 of its Ultima+ range, with a Tegular edge detail on a 24mm suspension grid. The next-generation Ultima+ range features a bright white surface with 87 per cent light reflectance to help achieve 16 per cent cost savings compared with indirect lighting. Armstrong’s CoolZone tiles incorporate Phase Change Material (PCM), which absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night – through the melting and solidifying of wax – to regulate a building’s internal temperature and reduce, or even eliminate, its reliance on air conditioning. Senior architect Paul Rogers, from CMS Architects, said: “The PCM tiles enabled the project to achieve Part L requirements without the need for cooling and thus additional renewables/photovoltaics to offset this increased energy usage.” www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk
Rockfon Blanka: whiter than white After years of research and testing, Rockfon has developed its smoothest, whitest ceiling tile ever: Rockfon Blanka. Architects have long desired a perfectly white ceiling, something that has previously been difficult to achieve without sacrificing other crucial properties. To create this incredibly durable, whiter-than-white matt ceiling tile, Rockfon applied a specialist coating sourced from the US space industry to a high-performance stone wool core. This coating has outstanding light reflection and light diffusion properties to maximise the uniform spread of natural light and create a smooth surface that allows for easy installation, because the tiles are patternless and can be installed in any direction. The coating also has anti-static properties making it resistant to site dust and easy to wipe clean. Rockfon Blanka tiles are produced from up to 42 per cent recycled materials, are fully recyclable and come with a 15-year warranty. The Rockfon Blanka range is available in ceiling tiles and complementary wall panels in a variety of sizes and edge details. Rockfon’s managing director, Anders Juhl Thomsen, explained: “Choosing a ceiling shouldn’t be a trade-off between properties, so we decided to create a ceiling that delivers it all in one tile.”
Komfort has become the first UK interior partitioning systems manufacturer to hold a SKA Rating Product Compliance Label for its polar glazed and polar solid partitioning system with deflection head. This demonstrates Komfort’s commitment to leading sustainable design in commercial, education and health environments. The SKA Rating Product Compliance Label scheme, run by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), enables architects, designers, assessors and specifiers to identify and specify manufacturers’ pre-accredited materials and products with good environmental performances that meet individual SKA Rating criteria. Polar deflection head systems are compliant with M08 and/or M09 re-locatability criteria, D20 for its timber components, and D22 and M04 for the insulation cladding matt. Last year, Komfort became one of the first manufacturers with a certified V.1.2 SKA Rating Assessor for Offices amongst its staff after product designer and environmental architect Giuseppa Fiorenza passed the qualification exam. As an accredited SKA Assessor for Offices, Ms Fiorenza helps Komfort’s clients to create more sustainable spaces by identifying ways to reduce a project’s environmental impact.
Door and window control systems manufacturer GEZE has enhanced its Manual Sliding Wall (MSW) system eradicating the need for a swing door end panel so all the leaves can be hidden from sight when not in use. The company has developed SmartGuide technology that allows the leaves to glide easily around corners and be stored away, ideal for creating large open entrances or for spaces that need temporarily dividing. MSW offers an aesthetically pleasing solution that is functional and designed for use in high-traffic public locations such as retail environments, airports, offices, conference rooms, hotels and restaurants. It is modular in design, giving architects the flexibility to tailor the design to the environment. Walls are lockable when closed, giving utmost security and the option of being fully or partially opened as required ensuring ease of access for all. Three profile designs are available: Classicline profiles fit directly onto the glass at a slight angle and have a profile height of only 107mm; Pureline profiles can easily be combined with existing systems and have a modern, angled design; while Protectline provides increased protection against glass damage such as that caused by cleaning machines.
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GEZE introduces modular manual sliding wall
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Spontaneous breakages in toughened glass Everybody knows that glass can break, but what about when there is no obvious explanation? Joe Cilia, technical manager at FIS, considers growing incidents of glass spontaneously breaking. The Building Regulations cover the use of glass in the 2013 edition of ‘Approved Document (AD) K, Protection from falling, collision and impact’ and ‘AD K4, Protection against impact with glazing’. They state: “Glazing, with which people are likely to come into contact whilst moving in or about a building shall, (a) if broken on impact break in a way which is unlikely to cause injury; or (b) resist impact without breaking.” Safety glass in critical areas needs to comply with at least the minimum ‘BS EN 12600:2002 Glass in building. Pendulum test. Impact test method and classification for flat glass’ as defined by the relevant Regulations and/or Standards. This can be achieved in the case of glazed partitions by using laminated glass or toughened safety glass. Spontaneous breakages of toughened glass can occur for a variety of reasons: • Impact from an object: often sharp, but the edge of a chair is not unusual • Glass in contact with an exposed fixing or metal glazing bead: this could be a structural bolt or even direct glazing without a gasket • Damaged or shelled edge: often caused after toughening either in the factory or in transport, on-site storage and handling or installation • Misaligned fixings which cause the glass to twist • Incorrect processing of the glass • Nickel sulfide (NiS) and other inclusions or contaminates Breakages caused by NiS inclusions are sometimes hard to differentiate from breakages caused by other 12 Advertising 01926 420660
factors because the glass shatters and often falls into a pile of small cube shaped pieces on the floor. Occasionally it is possible to identify the cause as NiS inclusions because although the inclusion might be microscopic, it can occasionally be seen as a small ‘dot’ or ‘dark stain’ situated at the centre of a characteristic ‘figure of eight’ or ‘butterfly’ pattern at the origin of the break. These breakages can occur months and even years after the glass has been installed. However, a figure of eight or butterfly shape is not, by itself, automatic proof of an inclusion. Only when the butterfly and a dot or a dark stain occur together is it likely that the failure mechanism was due to some type of particle inclusion. Only through laboratory analysis can an inclusion be accurately identified as NiS. It is possible to reduce the risk of NiS causing spontaneous breakages through a secondary process called Heat Soaked (HST). Here, toughened glass is put through a heating cycle where the glass is heated to >280°C then held at a temperature within 10°C of 290°C for two hours before being allowed to cool to an ambient temperature. It is a destructive process because a large percentage of glass where NiS inclusions are present and the glass is at risk of breaking will break. However, this is not a reliable process and some glass may still spontaneously break. As it increases cost and lead time it
is often not taken up by clients who may not be aware of the risks. The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) will shortly publish data sheet 4.4.2 titled Thermally Treated Soda Lime Silicate Glass Products – Spontaneous Breakage, which FIS members helped to review. The guide is available on the GGF website http://shop.ggfmembers.com/datasheets So, who carries the risk for spontaneous breakages? Geraldine Fleming, of JR Knowles, said: “To avoid potential claims relating to spontaneous breakage of toughened glass, it is vital that companies supplying glass products include an appropriate clause in their terms of business. The clause should clearly state the problem of NiS inclusions, confirm that HST can reduce (but not eliminate) the risk, and that you take no responsibility for any costs incurred by their client if such spontaneous breakage occurs.” Such a clause would be known as an exclusion clause and you need to draw your client’s attention to it, otherwise it may be ineffective. We would advise a note at the start of your terms that states “the client’s attention is particularly drawn to clause __” and potentially also a similar note in your quotation. Of course you should also always attach
your terms to any quotation, don’t rely on the phrase “terms available on request” as again this would render the term ineffective. If you receive an order from a client before starting work, it is highly likely that this issue won’t be covered, and you will need to issue an order acknowledgement before starting work. Tudor Pop, a facade engineer at property giant CBRE, said: “We have always recommended HST and actually do not accept toughened glass which hasn’t been.” Technical manager at Optima Products Peter Long said: “The use of HST or laminating to minimise the risk to users, as advocated by the GGF, should be a prerequisite and encouraged.” It is apparent that spontaneous breakages are occurring to toughened glass panels used in our sector. What is unclear is the cause in each instance. Is it due to an inclusion or some other form of spontaneous breakage as a result of prior damage or an installation issue? Or was the glass damaged by an impact and inclusions are used as a convenient explanation? In any event, we recommend that you check your T&Cs and make it clear in your quotations that there is always a risk, and include the cost and lead time options for HST as a standard option. FIND OUT MORE Joe Cilia joecilia@thefis.org
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FIS annual conference 2015: getting ready to change
“One of the only ways to meet demand going forward is to approach construction in a different way, for example, with more advances in modular construction on-site. We’re having to look at how we change to service more off-site production factories rather than traditional construction sites. During the last 12 months, skills and “Customer relationships are important and the only way training has pushed payment off the top forward is to respect where skills spot of challenges facing the sector. and resources sit, and those who A series of insightful presentations at this year’s FIS won’t change will struggle. Price conference included a look into the future through the and availability are key to winning and retaining business.” eyes of Build UK, the Construction Products Association, Martin Coyd OBE, from Lend CITB and Travis Perkins, and a thought-provoking view Lease, outlined how health and about mental health from Lend Lease. wellbeing has become more of a “We don’t want to be a traditional Products Association, was positive focus for employers recently and how greater emphasis is being association, we want to be a vibrant about future prospects with placed on mental health issues. and active organisation that helps steady, but slowing, growth Mr Coyd OBE said: “One in six our members to find solutions,” anticipated for the rest of the people has a mental health challenge said David Frise, FIS chief executive, decade, driven by lower energy and men generally don’t talk about it. in his opening address stating how prices, business investment and community, skills and training, and rising wages. However, uncertainty It’s a condition that people technical standards are the top three over Europe and a slower Chinese discriminate against, and those who priorities for FIS. economy could impact on growth. suffer don’t want to talk about it which can, in extreme circumstances, Suzannah Nichol MBE, chief Turning to each sector, lead to suicide. Everyone is executive at Build UK, told delegates Dr Francis noted that housing facing greater stress today and how main and specialist contractors demand is dependent on unless you can help to relieve the are now working together at Build UK, affordability while he considered pressure it can have serious seeking to improve resources, tackle that education was still buoyant; consequences. It does affect payment and improve efficiency of however, health sector growth the prequalification process. forecasts are slightly more cautious. performance so there are good Ms Nichol MBE said: “We need to Commenting on the commercial business reasons to deal with it. “We’re launching ‘Mates in change a lot. And to do this we have market, Dr Francis saw the London Construction’ at next year’s to stretch ourselves and move out market slowing and increasing Construction Health Summit to of our comfort zone. We have the activity elsewhere, especially in make a difference and breakdown capability and the opportunity, but Birmingham and Manchester. In barriers. We want to help employees to do so we must want to change.” retail the focus is now on smaller through their problems and change Ms Nichol thought that taking units which could create more on only 10,000 apprentices a year opportunities for fit-out contractors. attitudes to a serious problem that can affect anyone.” Concluding, Dr Francis said: is dismal and that the £163 million CITB chief executive Adrian in training levy should be spent “During the recession more than Belton concurred with concerns more wisely. 400,000 people left the industry; about mental health and went on to Summing up, Ms Nichol said: the skills shortage is now the report that CITB was in the vanguard “There are now greater big concern.” of change to meet its customers’ John Carter, chief executive opportunities to create consensus because the supply at Travis Perkins plc, the builders merchant and distribution giant, chain sits around the same table. offered an insight to the market We mustn’t make it complicated; everyone wants to get paid. We can and agreed that resources is key, which is why Travis Perkins is aiming all win, but to do so we must be prepared as a team to do our part.” to employ 1,000 apprentices to Dr Noble Francis, chief ensure they have the right economist at the Construction resources for the future. Mr Carter said: “Our response to the changing market has been Silver sponsors to invest in a more efficient supply chain. The explosion in mobile now means everything can be done through a smartphone and tablet.
needs more efficiently. CITB has spent the last 12 months removing unnecessary tiers of management and has started to move away from delivering direct training to become an enabler and promoter. One of the big changes has been the streamlining of grants. Gone are the days of 50 types of grants; now there are just two types and CITB is using its funds to secure better outcomes. Mr Belton said: “In future we’re going to be more like investment fund managers managing pots of funds and looking for a return on our investments with clear objectives that will benefit the industry. We want to get a bigger bang for our buck.” So what had delegates gained from the day? The industry is well into recovery and despite a few hiccups it’s growing, but to secure sustained growth attitudes and culture must change to keep pace with a changing world. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
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FEATURE
LOGISTICS
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Delivering on time
How the supply chain tackles the movement of men, materials and machines to ensure that productivity is maintained is critical. Steve Menary reports.
“If Waitrose or Ocado can tell you within 15 minutes of when a delivery will come, why can’t that happen on major construction projects? Instead, we’ve got lorries waiting five hours to unload in central London,” sighed Peter Jacobs, managing director of the construction and integrated solutions business at logistics consultant Wilson James. “We need to work out who bears the real cost of 20 lorries waiting outside a site and the drywall guys not being able to work because their screws are stuck on a truck outside,”
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he added. That will be a familiar scenario for any specialist contractor working on tight central London sites. Mr Jacobs is speaking from experience. Before joining Wilson James he worked for major blue chip contractors such as Lend Lease on high profile jobs including the athletes’ village for the 2012 London Olympics. As the economy slowly improves, commercial work in London is expected to increase and with that more site congestion and disruption. But there is an alternative – out-of-
hours deliveries. Mr Jacobs, now working for Wilson James on the Richard Rogers designed 22 Bishopsgate project in central London with Brookfield Multiplex, added: “There is a delicate balance between congestion and disruption, and the problems they cause for the local community, and out-of-hours deliveries. If you have quiet deliveries, you can convince the environmental health authorities. “There are places like airports and city centres where you can
create far less disruption by delivering out of peak hours. You have to do it on a case-by-case basis and talk to local authorities.” For some specialist contractors, the notion of paying staff extra money for booking in deliveries during evenings or weekends would seem unpalatable. But what Mr Jacobs is arguing for is not a plethora of deliveries, but consolidation. He continued: “What can be done now is that rather than every specialist trade in a fit-out having their own supplier delivering individually to a congested site, you have a delivery point outside the congestion zone, where everything is delivered and then taken with a single delivery to site.” Trade body FIS is a big advocate of new methods. “We live in a 24-hour society and construction has to join that,” said membership manager Robert Barker. But some specialist contractors are sceptical about consolidating orders. Angela Mansell, operations director at Mansell Finishes, highlighted: “We use distributors such as CCF and SIG for just-in-time deliveries. What is the sense in double handling it?” Tools and fixings giant Hilti is pushing hard to get customers to buy online and hopes that 50 per cent of all orders will be procured in that fashion by 2020, but Kris Levey, the company’s head of brand and communication, is not convinced by consolidation. He said: “It would be great for the end user but complicated at the front end. It could be beneficial in central London but if it’s just an office fit-out
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then it could add complexity for the drywall guys.” However, plans are afoot to start moving the industry in this direction. This summer, the UK innovation agency Innovate UK awarded Skanska a grant towards a £1 million project to ‘tag and track’ different aspects of a project. The programme will run for two years
and capture data from multiple supply chain partners. Ian Brixey, Skanska’s project lead, commented: “The outcome of the project has the potential to have a big impact. By using the latest digital techniques, we intend to get to a stage where the ‘marking’ of project components in the form of Radio Frequency Identification tags/barcodes
facilitates real-time monitoring of the manufacturing process, delivery to site, storage and installation. “Once in place, the tagged components will remain for the life-cycle of the project, providing accurate information to those that need it. This level of information allows progress on projects to be monitored against plans and
timescales.” Skanska is working with BRE, Multiple Access Communications and Leaderflush Shapland to develop the research and has received £200,000 towards its £400,000 project costs from Innovate UK. The overall project will cost £1 million and the research will be piloted on supply chain partners in all sectors, including interiors, to accelerate uptake of building information modelling (BIM). FIS started a BIM group called BIM4FitOut 24 months ago, and for Mr Jacobs, embracing BIM and the online world has to be the future. He concluded: “The front end is going online. Everything is going on to BIM. Construction information will go online and we will have consolidated buying. More and more people are doing it because it’s just got to come.” FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
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Are you covered
Barrister Professor Rudi Klein helps you get to grips with the standard construction insurance clauses.
Why have insurance?
The obvious answer to this question is that construction is a risk-laden activity. Property damage and personal injury are, unfortunately, risks associated with construction works. But there is also a less obvious answer. The basic obligation in construction contracts requires that the contractor carries out and completes his works. If a calamity befalls the contractor which results in damage to or destruction of his works he is obliged to re-instate it to comply with his contractual obligation. Insurance is, therefore, necessary to deal with this risk.
Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT): Forms of Contract
JCT contracts have two general categories of risk: • Risk of physical damage and/or loss to the works and site materials. • Risk of injury/damage to persons and/or property. In respect of these risks, two types of cover are required – ‘all risks’ cover for the first category and public liability insurance for the second.
Risk of physical damage and/or loss to the works and site materials
Here JCT contracts have three options: • In the case of new buildings the contractor is to take out ‘all risks’ insurance (Option A). • Alternatively the Employer is to take out ‘all risks’ cover (Option B). • With regard to existing structures the Employer is to take out and maintain: a) insurance in respect of existing structures and their contents and, b) ‘all risks’ insurance of the works. (Option C) Option C poses problems in large commercial multi-tenanted buildings. Landlords may be reluctant to extend their existing structures cover to include works (e.g. fitting out works) being carried out by a tenant. Most contractors will take out an annual ‘all risks’ policy for all their projects. But on certain projects the Employer may have their own ‘all risks’ policies especially if they are serial clients such as the large supermarkets. With regard to existing buildings the Employer is likely to have his own buildings and contents policy. It will often be easier for him to add on to this policy ‘all risks’ cover for the construction works. With Option C the Employer is required to insure against damage arising from the Specified Perils (e.g. fire, lightning, explosion,
Risk and insurance
So, what should you be looking for when trying to understand the provisions in your contract dealing with insurance? The only reason we have policies of insurance is to have a means of recovering some or all of our losses in the event a risk materialises. The concepts of risk and insurance are intertwined. The first thing to ask oneself is: Does the contract specify the risks? Unfortunately many contracts do not do this; some, such as JCT contracts, do not even use the word ‘risk’. The New Engineering Contract forms are up-front on risk. There are six categories of risk (e.g. risk of damage to works, materials and plant provided by the Employer) which are laid at the door of the Employer. All other risks are placed with the contractor. This brings us to the second question to ask oneself. To whom is the risk allocated? In the case of a bespoke subcontract, the likelihood is that nearly all (if not all) risk has been passed to the subcontractor. The final question is: Which party is required to take out the necessary insurance cover? Furthermore what is the extent and duration of the cover required? Most contracts will have provisions to enforce insurance obligations. If a party does not take out the required cover the other will reserve the right to do so and charge the premium to the defaulting party. www.specfinish.co.uk 19
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GENERAL ADVICE Always assess the risks that may be allocated in the contract or in any warranty. Always check that insurance policies address the risks.
storm, flood, escape of water from water tanks). ‘All Risks’ cover should be put in the joint names of the Employer and contractor. This prevents the insurer exercising his rights to stand in the ‘shoes’ of his insured (called rights of subrogation) and recover some or all of the losses from the other party. It should be noted that many insurers are not comfortable with joint names policies. If the beneficiary of the policy (e.g. the contractor) goes into liquidation the policy will be solely in the name of the other party. If, for example, that other party has a poor claims record the insurer may not want him to ‘inherit’ the policy. ‘All Risks’ cover includes physical loss or damage to the works and materials, reasonable costs of removal and disposal of debris, and shoring and propping up the works (if necessary). The cover should be for full “re-instatement value of the works and professional fees”. ‘All Risks’ is a misnomer. The cost of repair, and replacement or rectification of the following are expressly excluded: • property defects due to wear and tear • defective work and materials • loss or damage from Excepted Risks (e.g. contamination of the site) The cover should be in place up to the issue of a Practical Completion Certificate or termination of the contract, whichever is the first.
Risk of injury/damage to persons and property
Under JCT the contractor is liable to and must indemnify the employer in respect of claims arising from personal injury or death (to people other than the contractor’s employees for whom he is legally obliged to have Employer’s Liability Insurance). For this purpose the contractor should have public liability insurance. The contractor’s liability in this context is dependent upon the injury or death arising out 20 Advertising 01926 420660
of or caused by the carrying out of the works. In one case a claimant was injured whilst riding a scooter on the site. The court held that the contractor was not liable. Furthermore the contractor is not liable where the injury or death was caused by some act or neglect on the part of the Employer or persons engaged by him such as his consultants. In a legal case a member of the public was injured by a structural collapse due to faulty design by a structural engineer appointed by the Employer. The contractor was sued but was able to be indemnified by the Employer in respect of the claim. The contractor is also liable (and must indemnify the Employer) in respect of claims arising from loss or damage to property – structures and/or contents. For this purpose the works and site materials are excluded – they are separately insured. The contractor can escape responsibility if the loss or damage was not due to his negligence, omission or default. Omission or default, according to case law, is likely to involve a breach of contract. In a legal case the Employer was held liable in an action for nuisance when piling work damaged adjoining property. The piling was carried out strictly according to the architect’s drawings and instructions. The Employer argued he should be indemnified by the contractor but the court held that there was no fault on the contractor’s part. Where there is loss or damage to existing structures or contents this should be already covered by the Employer’s own cover under Option C.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors should be protected against liability for damage or loss to the works from the Specified Perils. The Contractor’s Joint Names ‘all risks’ policy should also name subcontractors
as being insured on the policy. Alternatively the policy should state that the insurer waives its rights of subrogation against the named subcontractors. Subcontractors should always check that this has been done. There is no express requirement to protect subcontractors against loss or damage to existing structures and contents from the Specified Perils. In a recent case the court held that a subcontractor was not liable for the re-instatement costs of damage to an existing structure by the Specified Perils. He had priced his work on the basis that the cost of re-instatement would be met by the Employer’s insurer.
Summary of other policies that may be required
Contractors and Employers are likely to be required to take out additional policies: • Professional indemnity insurance – where the contractor is providing a service, especially design. • The Employer may wish to have insurance to cover his loss of liquidated damages arising from extensions of time given as a result of loss or damage caused by the Specified Perils. • Insurance to cover damage caused by the works to adjoining property arising from, for example, subsidence, vibrations, weakening or removal of support, or lowering of ground water. • Insurance to cover full value of off-site mate rials included in an interim payment certificate in the event that such materials are damaged by the Specified Perils. • Environment impairment/contractor’s pollution. • General protection of liquidated damages and performance damages. • Supply chain insurance – cost of supplier failure and disruption. • Latent defects cover for 10 years after hand over (compulsory in France).
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FEATURE
TECHNOLOGY
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Waking up to digitisation
Building Information Modelling, or BIM as it is more commonly known. BIM is a collaborative way of working, underpinned by digital technologies that have the potential to unlock more efficient methods of designing, building and maintaining an asset. In the digital BIM environment, product and asset data are embedded into a 3D computer model. The model is then used to manage information throughout a project lifecycle – from earliest concept through to the building’s operation. UK government has described BIM as “game-changing” for the construction sector. It has a mandate that all government building projects will be created in a BIM environment from 2016 onwards. In advance of the directive, forward-thinking major architectural, engineering and “The interiors industry is waking formed a special interest group to contracting companies are starting up to digitisation. Across the consider opportunities that to embrace collaborative working sector things that were done in an digitisation will provide and its in a BIM environment. “In the past, analogue way are now moving into impact on the sector. BIM was pushed by architects, tier digital,” said Joe Cilia, FIS technical The digital revolution in the 1 contractors and developers; what manager. In fact, digitisation is such ADinteriors sector and1 in23/09/2015 the whole 16:10 27965 Solutions for Subcontractors 188x130_Layout Page 1 we are now starting to see is a pull a hot interiors topic that FIS has just of construction is being led by
Digital technology has transformed education, leisure, entertainment and business practices, and now it is set to drive a new era of smart construction and digital design in the interiors sector. Andy Pearson takes a look at some hot topics.
from clients, including county councils, who are looking for project outputs like maintenance schedules for their newly built assets,” explained Mr Cilia. Construction services company ISG already uses BIM in its fit-out, construction, engineering and retail divisions. “In some sectors, BIM is client-driven: if you don’t use it you’re not going to get the job. In other sectors, we use BIM to give us a commercial advantage through adding value,” said Mark Norton, head of BIM at ISG fit-out and engineering services, and chair of BIM4FitOut, the task group set up to ensure the sector supply chain is ready for this new way of working. ISG exploits the BIM digital environment to help spot and resolve potential problems before they get to site. It even has a 3D holographic projection cabinet to enable virtual walkthroughs and to help in sequencing works. “When you see a scheme in virtual 3D, the model comes alive so it becomes quite obvious where there are
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problems,” added Mr Norton. Additionally, ISG has embraced 3D printing using digital information from the 3D model. “If we think that there might be a problem with, say, a construction detail we’ll 3D print a solution to show the client and the construction team how it might be improved,” he continued. “The 3D print allows the team to take the model apart, like Lego, so that they can see how it works, and they can take the model away with them if they wish.” On-site, ISG is digitally scanning spaces using point cloud laser surveys to validate the dimensions of a space. The digital survey information is input directly into the BIM model. Mr Norton explained that cloud point surveys have proved particularly useful on very old buildings and for installations such as service risers where space is tight and where there are a lot of interfaces that need to be resolved. Digital technologies in the form of tablets and smart phones linked to the BIM model are increasingly being used on-site to improve site practices, share information in the field, and to help plan, manage and coordinate the construction process. Projects can even be set out digitally using robotic total stations which take datum points from the BIM model. The benefits of a digital site are up-to-date and accurate information which can lead to programme improvements of up to 25 per cent. Mr Norton’s advice for anyone in the interiors sector is to start to embrace the opportunities created by digitisation: “The sooner they
get on the BIM bandwagon the better because it will give them a commercial advantage,” he said. Michael Page, joint managing director of workplace consultant Saracen Interiors, echoes Mr Norton’s point: “The sharing of critical information [in BIM] means that, when the build happens there are fewer errors and far less rework is needed,” he explained. “Improving information quality makes outcomes more predictable and it makes sense that tighter collaboration and information flow provide the basis for a new level of best practice,” Mr Page added. Manufacturing is one interiors sector that is now starting to embrace digital technology. “Where we’re likely to see the biggest change is manufacturers having transferable digital information through the use of product data templates,” said FIS’s Mr Cilia. The transformation is being helped by organisations such as BIM4M2, a working group instigated to support manufacturers become BIM-enabled. And once manufacturers’ data is available digitally, this information can then be embedded into a project file so that lead time, cost, performance and when the product might need replacing are all available. Not all digital technologies that are transforming construction are BIM-enabled. Paul Little of Coen Building Solutions has developed a simple piece of software to manage the firm’s labour only plastering subcontractors. This enables workers to use their smart phones to log onto an app on the
company’s website which details the area of the job to be plastered and the rate they will be paid for a job. When they’ve finished the job they log in using their phones and complete the job sheet in order to get paid. “They know that if there are any site changes and these are not on the app they won’t get paid, so all site changes are now reported,” said Mr Little. An advantage of the system is that he can message the site teams, who then have to tick a box to acknowledge they’ve read the message before they can proceed to input job information. The app has been so successful that Mr Little is now looking at using the take-off information he has for each job to develop a tool to order job-specific materials. A digital development set to transform the interiors sector, one which does not require a sophisticated IT system, currently being explored by BIM4FitOut is called BID4Free. This initiative involves the development of a free BIM viewer which will enable a main contactor to tender for a job digitally but without the subcontractor having to buy specialist software to view the model, complete a take-off and return a tender at little or no additional cost. A second part of the project will bring together main contractors to develop a protocol that uses standard practices so that tenderers can return tenders to multiple
contractors using the same tool. Another initiative designed to bring suppliers and procurement teams together is the West Midlands Virtual Hospital. This BIM-enabled portal is, as its name implies, a virtual 3D model of a hospital. It has been created by Virtechs for Sandwell Council to give local businesses the opportunity to pitch to supply goods to an actual £430 million hospital which is soon to be built in the region. The idea is that suppliers can walk through the virtual building, click on a component that they manufacture and upload their details, including their BIM proficiency. Carillion is the preferred contractor for this hospital. It is using the virtual hospital to access potential suppliers’ names, products and capabilities and to identify companies that they want to work with that are not sufficiently BIM proficient and will need additional training from Carillion and Virtechs. “We will help manufacturers create a virtual representation of their product range, with all of the information embedded, so that the objects can be downloaded into a BIM model and used in the management of the facility for the next 15 years,” commented David Emery, a director of Virtechs. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org www.specfinish.co.uk 23
MARKET ANALYSIS
HEALTH
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Health construction finally takes a turn In 2008, construction output from the combined public and commercial health sectors reached a peak of £5.4 billion, but as the financial crisis began to unfold, its impacts alongside austerity measures weighed significantly on performance. Amandeep Bahra from the Construction Products Association looks at an upturn in the sector. This year is likely to mark an upturn for the health sector, supported by an increase in publicly financed projects as spending cuts fall on day-to-day spending, rather than capital investment. In addition, growth in new orders for privately funded work will also contribute to the sector’s recovery. As a result, we forecast health output to grow at a modest rate of 0.4 per cent in 2015, with a faster pace of growth forecast over the subsequent four years.
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New orders point towards growth
kick-start the sector’s recovery. Since the final quarter of 2014, Health sector construction output new orders have increased for two quarters with both publicly totalled £2.4 billion in 2014, declining 16.1 per cent from a year financed and privately financed health orders contributing to this earlier. This marked the fourth consecutive year of contraction for increase. These new orders will filter through into activity over the the sector, with output standing next 12 months and beyond. well below its 2008 peak by 54.7 per cent. While it does appear a long way off before output returns Primary care will be at the to its peak levels, growth in new heart of NHS spending orders has been robust over Although health construction the turn of this year, which will accounts for only a small proportion of total output in the construction industry (2.0 per cent in 2014), a pipeline of new build and refurbishment work on large and small projects will drive demand for fit-out and interiors work. Public spending on health is expected to increase in real terms every year in this parliament, underpinning the return of the sector’s fortunes. According to the Summer Budget 2015, the capital spending allocation for the NHS rose to £4.6 billion in 2015/16 from £4.0 billion in 2014/15. Looking ahead, investment in the primary care estate is expected to be at the heart of the NHS’s priorities, as reported in its Five Year Forward View report published in October 2014. This was echoed in the £1 billion Primary Care Infrastructure Fund, announced by the government in December 2014, a four-year investment programme aimed at increasing the capacity of GP practices by either improving current
premises or developing new ones, as well as upgrading technology. As of March, 1,000 GP practices have had bids approved for funding. Indeed, investment in primary care has often fallen significantly behind that of hospitals, but over the forecast period, investments in NHS facilities will focus on refurbishment programmes and improving existing facilities. These projects are likely to be at the smaller end of the scale, procured through the six-year ProCure21+ programme, but are not short on volume. In August, there were 288 active projects in the programme, including 243 valued over £1.0 million. Beyond ProCure 21+, a number of large projects have also received public funding, which will contribute to activity in the sector. These include a £250 million funding for two Proton Beam Therapy centres – one in London and the other in Manchester – both currently in their pre-construction phase but expected to reach completion in 2018. Also, construction on a £480 million redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital, which will include new buildings and facilities, is currently underway. On the public side, health construction is forecast to have increased 6.1 per cent by 2017, to a value of £1.7 billion.
A slow take-off for PF2
Privately financed construction accounted for 36.5 per cent of total output in the health sector in 2014, the lowest since 1998 after the government halted the use of private finance initiatives (PFI) following post-recession budgetary concerns over value for money. Renewed interest in taking capital investment off the public books came with the launch of PF2, the successor to PFI, in December 2012. Since then, we have had announcements of projects to be funded under the model, but no work has started on the ground. Although major projects have already received approvals, delays in procurement have held back work from kicking-off. The £353 million 670-bed Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick – the first hospital to be built under the revised
HEALTH
MARKET ANALYSIS www.thefis.org
private finance scheme – is expected to see construction begin in 2016, subject to funds being secured by the end of this year. Similarly, it has not been plain sailing for the North Tees and Hartlepool Wynyard Hospital, which has seen procurement for main works being held up following uncertainty over securing government approval. Once progress accelerates under the government’s PF2 programme, growth in the health sector will also receive a boost from activity in private healthcare projects. Despite several large privately funded projects in the pipeline, publicly financed projects are still likely to be the key driver of growth over the medium-term, supported by large-scale hospital redevelopments and smaller-scale projects under Procure 21+. Overall, the Construction Products Association forecasts total health construction output to grow by 3.0 per cent each year between 2016 and 2019.
Public and private health construction output Public health
Private health
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HEALTH & SAFETY www.specfinish.co.uk
Keep your employees safe in the workplace in eight steps Working in the finishes and interiors sector may be safer than working in agriculture or the oil and gas industry, but there are still certain risks that your employees will encounter. Site managers and employers need to identify and mitigate potential risks to ensure that their employees remain fit and healthy, and that they are able to discharge their duties under the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 and The Health and Safety at Work Act. Every site is different, but risk assessments need to be mindful of the following hazards.
1. Asbestos Still the UK’s number one cause of work-related deaths, asbestos presents a significant risk to employees. Used extensively in construction for decades, asbestos dust can be found in shops, offices and homes. When inhaled, asbestos particles lead to a range of respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, a fatal form of lung cancer.
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Site risk assessments must consider the potential presence of asbestos, the risk it presents and how it should be managed. Where significant risk is identified, the dust and cladding will need to be removed and disposed of properly to reduce the chances of lethal dust being inhaled. 2. Dust During a refurbishment project, construction and fit-out typically creates a variety of dusts. Carpentry generates sawdust, stone masonry and dressing creates silica dust, and removal of redundant materials releases all manner of accumulated dust – all of which are easily inhaled, creating a number of potential problems. From harmless, annoying irritation of the nose, throat and eyes, to the more serious accumulation of dust in the lungs, employees working with, and inhaling, sawdust are four times more likely to develop asthma. The dust created by cutting certain hardwoods can also cause cancer of the nose. Silicosis is a condition caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica, generated when stone is cut. Not only does the dust collect in the lungs, but it also causes scarring to the tissue, the development of a chronic cough and, in some
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HEALTH & SAFETY
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cases, lung cancer and death. Employers are legally bound to monitor and control airborne dust, ensuring that levels do not exceed 5mg per cubic metre. For significant dust-generation projects, site owners need to install extraction equipment and issue employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) to limit dust inhalation. 3. Manual handling Carrying or supporting heavy, awkward weights throughout the course of the day can cause injury, and where manual handling best practice is not applied, the potential for injury increases exponentially. Employers need to ensure that fitters are properly trained to assess weights before lifting, and that they are using safe lifting and carrying techniques. Where problems are identified, fitters need to be supplied with lifting equipment to help them maintain safety standards. 4. Noise The sound levels created by tools can cause permanent hearing damage. Every year up to 20,000 people report work-related hearing problems, and between 150 and 200 workers go deaf because of industrial noise. Employers are expected to monitor and reduce workplace noise to keep it within a specified range to protect their workers. Any measures taken must first focus on reducing
noise in general to minimise risks to everyone in the area. Where employees are engaged directly with noisy equipment in excess of 85db, they need to be issued with ear defenders or other suitable PPE. You have a noise problem if your employees have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation when about 2 metres apart for at least part of the day. 5. Personal protective equipment Where fitters are exposed to hazardous substances, noise or other environmental factors that pose a health risk, employers need to issue suitable PPE. The routine risk assessments undertaken for every fitting-out activity should identify tasks requiring PPE, along with suggestions about the exact equipment required. Goggles, face masks, gloves and ear defenders should all be standard equipment, but employees also require training to ensure they know when and how to use them for maximum protection. 6. Working at height Building partitions, plastering walls and installing suspended ceilings are often carried out above head height. Whenever a ladder or scaffolding tower is being used, employers need to ensure that an adequate risk assessment has been performed, and that employees have been properly trained in working safely at height. As much of the day-to-day assessment and mitigation will need to be performed by fitters themselves, full training is essential. 7. Personal health No matter how rigorous the risk assessment and mitigation process, employees working on-site retain a certain degree of personal
responsibility for ensuring that method statements are followed correctly. If your business employs CSCS-certified workers, you can be sure that they will already have a working knowledge of personal health and safety when they arrive on-site. However, you must also train employees on using specific equipment or techniques safely, empowering them to mitigate and avoid health risks themselves. Regular refresher training and assessments will help to spot where corners are being cut, or bad working practices are circumventing risk assessments and protective measures. 8. Site welfare Prior to starting a project, you must ensure sufficient welfare provisions are in place on-site. Employees need access to toilets, washing facilities and adequate drinking water. For extended projects, they also need changing facilities and somewhere secure to store PPE when not in use. These provisions must form part of your early project planning and risk assessment. This all sounds very complicated, but in most cases, keeping employees safe on-site is a case of applying common sense to every situation. But if you are in any doubt, you must obtain professional assistance or you potentially risk the health and safety of employees. So, over to you. As an employer, it is your responsibility to keep employees working on finishing and interiors projects safe.
DAVID CANT Veritas Consulting www.veritas-consulting.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 27
TRAINING www.specfinish.co.uk
Impressive facilities breed future success FIS training manager Jeremy Clayton takes a look at what the new Construction Centre at Barnsley College has to offer, both for today’s students and for tomorrow’s construction sector.
Barnsley College’s bespoke new Construction Centre, The Cube, opened its doors in September 2015, providing state-of-the-art facilities for study in construction trades including brickwork, wall and floor tiling, plumbing, plastering, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, interior systems, 3D surveying and sustainable construction. The Cube houses innovative and inspiring work areas with industry-led equipment providing a high quality learning experience for students. Facilities include new workshops, classrooms and
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machinery incorporating a comprehensive IT network supported by industry-standard software; a project workshop for new construction technologies; breakout areas allowing students to work independently; and dedicated student support encouraging positive progression into employment or further study. Jeremy Clayton, FIS training manager, met with the finishes and interiors team at the college to discuss how FIS members could benefit from the training available. Helen Wordsworth, interim head
of construction, said: “The staff and students are very excited about the new Construction Centre which provides outstanding first-class training for Barnsley and the wider region. The fantastic facilities, coupled with the development of new courses and initiatives, provide our students with excellent opportunities to progress into Higher Education. “With 95 per cent of our construction students progressing into employment or further study after completing their course at Barnsley College, it is clear that we
nurture our students to ensure they have the employability skills to go into industry and be successful.” Andrew Fairest, Barnsley College’s vice principal for Property Development, added: “We are very pleased that this exciting new development provides students with top quality facilities in which to learn. It also creates a national ‘hub’ for specialist training in energy efficient construction and engineering, delivered from our Construction Centre, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Centre, and Think Low Carbon Centre.” The facility was very impressive, as was the staff’s clear understanding of factors affecting apprentices entering our sector. The college actively engages with young people and their families at the start of the learning process to explain sector-specific issues such as physical fitness, work ethic and working away for periods of time. The idea here is to engage the right calibre of trainee, so that work does not hold any surprises during and after the training itself. A CITB report predicts that 182,000 new jobs will be created in the construction industry by 2018, which means there are more opportunities than ever for securing a rewarding and profitable career within the construction industry: Barnsley College is preparing its students for just that. To help meet this demand, full-time construction students at The Cube can undertake work experience within the industry and
TRAINING www.thefis.org
study new courses in sustainable construction, scaffolding and interior systems such as drylining and suspended ceilings. There are several FIS members who are already engaging with the college to help to bridge their current skills gap. Planning ahead to fill future jobs Economic plans suggest that over 39,000 new jobs will be created in Barnsley by 2017 in key growth areas which include manufacturing engineering, and business services. The college is preparing for this by investing more than £37 million in new buildings and upgrading its facilities. The college supports the development of skills within South Yorkshire and the wider region by collaborating with employers to identify skills gaps and develop a curriculum that will equip learners with workplace-specific skills.
Successful partnerships have already been forged with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and local employers such as FIS member the Horbury Group and 1st Horizon Surveying and Engineering Ltd. By working in partnership, the college has introduced new apprenticeship pathways that meet the exact needs of their employers. Jim Garside, managing director of 1st Horizon, said: “The college’s apprenticeship scheme has been absolutely fundamental to our business growth at a time where skilled personnel for our particular discipline is at a shortage.” Commercial director for Horbury Group Mathew Crisp added: “We are a market leader within the internal finishes industry and we sought a training provider that was considered equally successful within its respective discipline.
“The college has been flexible in working collaboratively with Horbury Group to deliver a bespoke training programme for our business needs, called the Internal Systems Apprenticeship. In addition to the dynamic approach shown to cater for our needs, the college has a state-of-the-art Construction Centre. All of this makes Barnsley College our ideal training partner.” The college works closely with over 700 employers across the region, regardless of size or industry, and its dedicated Employer Response Unit collaborates with businesses to establish the precise area of improvement and develop a
tailored recruitment and training solution. Whether businesses are looking to recruit new employees or up-skill existing team members, solutions are available. The team will also support employers to access any available funding and grants. Employers from all areas of industry are invited to work with the college, whether able to offer experience opportunities, apprenticeship training or higher level qualifications. FIND OUT MORE Contact Barnsley College on 01226 216123, apprenticeships@barnsley.ac.uk or visit www.barnsley.ac.uk
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FIS NEWS www.specfinish.co.uk
Calendar of events Plaisterers’ Training Awards 2015
Plaisterers’ Hall, London 9 November
FIS Members’ Meetings 17 November, Leeds
President’s Lunch 2016 Plaisterers’ Hall, London 23 February 2016
FIS Awards Lunch
Dorchester Hotel, London 7 June 2016
Welcome to new FIS members Avent Interiors Ltd
Avent Interiors is an established interior fit-out company based in Bristol servicing the city, the South West and South Wales. Clients include national companies and small independent businesses. www.aventinteriors.co.uk
Ceiltech Ltd
Ceiltech was established in 1990 for the sole purpose of cleaning contaminated and badly maintained ceilings. Ceiltech’s solution is designed not only for optimal cleaning and sanitisation but to leave ceilings smear free in all light situations. www.ceiltech.co.uk
Shaw Contract Group
Shaw Contract Group is a leading commercial carpet and commercial hardwood provider. Its cradle-to-cradle products perform in commercial spaces around the world, and can be endlessly reclaimed and recycled into new high-performance product. www.shawcontractgroup.com 30 Advertising 01926 420660
MACS joins key committee Tom McLoughlin, chief executive at MACS Plasterboard Systems, has been appointed to the Property and Construction Committee of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The committee is chaired by Jeffrey Adams, group chairman of the United House Group, who said: “The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a unique voice in the property and construction sector. No other organisation can boast a membership as diverse as ours with such a laser focus on what will work best for the sector in the capital. “London powers Britain forward, but without a
healthy property and construction sector, growth in London will stall. The committee makes its voice heard on what the sector needs to help London and Britain grow.” The committee is keen to raise issues that will directly impact not only on the drylining and plastering sectors but also the wider construction industry as a whole. Mr McLoughlin said: “It is a privilege to be asked to join such a prestigious and influential body such as the Property and Construction Committee of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.” FIND OUT MORE www.macsplasterboards.co.uk
CCF completes Borrowdale Challenge for Alzheimer’s A team from CCF has raised £6,500 for the Alzheimer’s Society. The funds were raised following completion of the Borrowdale Challenge, a multi-activity and endurance course set in the Northern Lake District. The intrepid CCF employees were spurred on to complete the epic challenge, which included scaling the mountain ridges of Dale Head and plummeting through freezing outdoor water chutes, in order to help the Society’s important work with those affected by dementia. Steve Quarrington, CCF regional director and Borrowdale Challenge participant, said: “It was a tough challenge but a great experience for myself and colleagues who are all very passionate about fundraising. In fact, over the last five years we have completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, Commando Challenge, Beat the Moon Challenge and Tough Mudder challenge – raising over £50k for charitable causes in the process.”
Hannah Wright, senior regional fundraiser at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are delighted that CCF employees continue to challenge and put themselves through their paces in order to support the Alzheimer’s Society. This invaluable support will enable us to continue our work to improve the lives of those living with dementia.” The wider CCF branch network will be taking on various fundraising activities in 2015 in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the Alzheimer’s Society over the next year. FIND OUT MORE www.ccfltd.co.uk
Skills and leadership feature in new awards FIS has unveiled a package of new awards that will recognise skills and leadership in the finishes and interiors sector. The new awards will be featured at the FIS President’s lunch in February 2016. The FIS President’s Awards will include four new categories: Apprentice of the Year; Outstanding Employee; Future Leader; and Lifetime Achievement Award. Deadline for receipt of applications is 30 November 2015. FIS operations director Jane Cook said: “The FIS President’s Awards recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals “All FIS members need to do is go to our
website and nominate the individuals that they believe have made a difference to their organisation and our sector.” The awards, which are free to enter, will be judged by a panel of senior executives from the sector led by Steve Coley, the FIS president. The winners will be announced at the awards lunch being held on 23 February 2016 at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/fis-events/president-s-awards
FIS NEWS www.thefis.org
SCS opens new training centre in Manchester SCS Manufacturing and Training, part of the SCS Group, has opened a new training facility at Trafford Park, Manchester, to enhance its partnership with Salford City College to deliver Level 2 Diploma and NVQ in Dry Lining. This innovative partnering of Education with Industry has been designed to offer the young people around the Manchester area an opportunity to secure an employed apprenticeship with SCS Group, successfully achieve their level 2 NVQ in Dry Lining, and learn new skills. It also provides the scope for each candidate to develop and progress a continuing career within this industry. As SCS and Salford City College can now see the successful completion in sight for their first group of apprentices, a further 10
apprentices started last month and discussions are under way for up to a further 20 apprentices. During training, the SCS apprentices are placed on major projects around Manchester as part of the NVQ on-site learning and observation process. Each apprentice is allocated a mentor who takes full responsibility for their wellbeing, health, safety and learning on a daily basis, with spot visits by the training team. The initiative is supported by City & Guilds and the European Social Fund, together with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. FIND OUT MORE Kirsty Selwood, customer service manager, SCS Training www.scs-training.co.uk
(Front row L-R) Paul Coombe, Astins; Deborah Gore, Encon Group; Carole Bailey, Dulley Ceilings and Partitions; (middle row L-R) Noel Healy, SIG; Andrew Smith, OWA (UK); Steve Coley, Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions and FIS president; John Pryer, British Gypsum; (back row L-R) Jon Riley, Locker and Riley; Gary Rice, CAP Ceilings and Partitions; Jim Nania, Stortford Interiors; Howard Luft, CCF; Andrew Measom, Measom Dryline, not present.
Six win election to FIS board Six new board members were unveiled to FIS members at the annual general meeting last month. Of the six elected, three were from contractor members and three from supplier members. The new board members representing contractors are Carole Bailey, group financial director at Dulley Ceilings and Partitions, also a CITB council member; Paul Coombe, from Astins where he is head of construction; and Jim Nania, chairman and CEO at Stortford Interiors. The newly elected board members representing suppliers
are Deborah Gore, Encon Group’s HR director; Noel Healy, divisional drylining director at SIG; and John Pryer, sales director at British Gypsum. These six join the board that includes Steve Coley, FIS president; Howard Luft, managing director at CCF; Jon Riley, managing director at Locker and Riley; Andrew Measom, managing director at Measom Dryline; Gary Rice, director at CAP Ceilings and Partitions; and Andrew Smith, managing director at OWA. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org
FIS launches BIM toolbox for specialist contractors FIS has launched a BIM toolbox, produced with funding from CITB, to raise awareness among specialist contractors on the processes required to work using BIM. The FIS workbook has been designed to enable a specialist contractor to develop and deliver a BIM implementation plan. It gives details of key process documents that relate to the sector, an explanation of what is required
and how to deliver it. Mark Norton, head of BIM fit-out and engineering services at ISG and chair of FIS’s BIM4FitOut group, said: “This is an opportunity to demonstrate BIM’s real benefits to the construction process and our customers.” FIND OUT MORE http://thefis.org/bim4fitout/training/ www.specfinish.co.uk 31
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