SpecFinish - January 2017

ÂŁ3.50 January 2017

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Stairs take centre stage Page 16 Spray finishes: A look at the benefits p13

Logistics: Reducing transport risks

p20

Skills & training: FIS unveils new plans

p25

www.specfinish.co.uk

INSIDE THE JANUARY ISSUE OF SPECFINISH 04 Voice of the industry:

Focus on training 10 Legal: Updated statutory

guidance on 30-day payment 13 Technical: Spray finishes –

are they the future?

14 Project Report:

Nine Elms Point 16 Staircases: Taking installation

one step at a time 18 Skills & training: Out in front 20 Logistics: Reducing

transport risks 22 FIS Annual Review: Initiatives

from the past 12 months 24 Health and safety:

Sentencing guidelines 25 Skills & training: FIS outlines

new training strategy and skills delivery team

FRONT COVER: Grip Media’s Canary Wharf office where Saracen Interiors’ design and fit-out included this spiral staircase.

CONTACT US EDITORIAL Editor: Adrian JG Marsh Assistant Editor: Jenny Gibson Email: newsdesk@campbellmarsh.com SpecFinish, Althorpe Enterprise Hub Althorpe Street, Leamington Spa CV31 2GB Design: Matthew Glover ADVERTISING Advertising enquiries: Adam Turner Tel: 01926 420660 adam.turner@campbellmarsh.com FIS Tel: 0121 707 0077 www.thefis.org Email: info@thefis.org FIS, Unit 4, Olton Bridge, 245 Warwick Rd, Solihull, West Midlands B92 7AH ISNN: 2055-2025 (Print) SpecFinish magazine published on behalf of FIS by Campbell Marsh and the views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those held by FIS or the publishers. The publishers shall not be under any liability in respect of the contents of the contributed articles. The Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or alter articles for publication. © All editorial contents SpecFinish 2017 SpecFinish is distributed to members of FIS and other selected leading finishes and interiors businesses.

Printer: Emmerson Press

02 Advertising 01926 420660

Brexit puts pressure on skills shortage New research from consultants Arcadis says that UK construction could lose out on as many as 215,000 EU workers from housebuilding and infrastructure as a result of leaving the EU. With the nation’s skills gap becoming ever more acute, Arcadis is calling for an urgent focus on retraining and modernisation.

Arcadis believes that a potential ‘hard’ Brexit scenario – for instance, extending the points-based system currently in place for non-EU migrants – could see EU construction workers leaving the UK’s industry at a quicker rate than they can be replaced. If this were to play out, Arcadis estimates that almost 215,000 fewer people from the EU

would enter the infrastructure and housebuilding sectors between now and 2020.

The research indicates that plasterers are among the trades with the most significant deficits when it comes to housebuilding and infrastructure, and that there is a regional variation, with the south east and east of England seeing the biggest requirements in the next five years.

Arcadis is looking into the impact of the skills gap on housebuilding and infrastructure in the UK and will publish the findings early this year.

FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

CITB to strengthen Import costs rise as construction levy consensus continues rebound process The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is to treble the number of construction employers surveyed as part of its compulsory Levy Order Consensus process.

The change is one of a series of improvements being made to ensure that CITB seeks industry’s opinion on a future Levy Order that is truly representative of today’s construction sector.

Planned changes for 2017 include an increase in the sample size from 1,900 to 6,000 for its independent survey that gauges industry employers’ views, and the appointment of an independent agency to provide external advice on methodology, mechanisms and best practice for the Consensus process.

The CITB will also be sharing greater details on both the Consensus process and results to ensure that it is more widely understood and transparent to the whole industry.

Stephen Radley, director of policy at CITB, said: “It’s absolutely critical that we have the confidence and support of our industry on our role and purpose. Consensus is the benchmark of that confidence and so we must ensure we reach as many employers as possible and the outcome is truly representative of our sector.”

The first stage of Consensus takes place in the first half of this year when the CITB will consult with the industry on a future Levy Order and engage with it on a new business plan, including a modernised Grants Scheme.

The latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey, which covers November, has found that business activity is rising at the fastest rate since March and there is a welcome pick-up in commercial work for first time in six months. However, suppliers are continuing to pass on higher imported raw material costs.

The index picked up slightly to 52.8 in November, from 52.6 in October, thereby signalling an expansion of total business activity for the third month running.

Survey respondents cited improved order books, alongside resilient client confidence and strong demand for residential projects. There were again reports that heightened economic uncertainty was a key factor weighing on output growth across the construction sector.

Tim Moore, senior economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI, said: “UK construction companies experienced a steady recovery in business activity during November, which continues the rebound from the downturn seen over the third quarter of 2016. The brighter picture reflected another solid contribution from residential building and renewed growth in commercial work, which some companies linked to a resumption of projects delayed after the Brexit vote.”

David Noble, group chief executive officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The impact of the weaker pound was widely felt in November, with cost inflation the strongest since early 2011. Higher prices were reported for materials including bricks, blocks and slate as businesses struggled with managing costs. Yet, in spite of this grip on precious margins, headcounts were increased and demand for subcontractors was also sustained.”

FIND OUT MORE www.citb.co.uk

FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

www.thefis.org

Plaisterers’ Training Awards winners revealed

FIS approved training provider Now Get Qualified won the British Gypsum Trophy at the annual Plaisterers’ Livery Company Training Awards in November. This prestigious award was revealed alongside 10 others that recognise achievement in training skilled craftsmen of the future.

The British Gypsum Trophy is judged on the best combined results gained by an independent training provider at NVQ Level 2 and Diploma in drylining. Now Get Qualified runs a vast selection of courses covering NVQ Level 2 to 6, which can all be booked on FIS CourseSight (www.thefis.org/skills-hub/coursesight).

Third-year Modern Apprenticeship student Thomas Morgan, who is employed by Fife Council, won the coveted Plastering Student of the Year award. The runners-up for this award were Daniel McAteer from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and Haralds Jonans from Derby.

FIND OUT MORE www.plaistererslivery.co.uk

FIS Scottish Awards open for entries FIS is calling for contractor members in Scotland to celebrate high-quality finishes and interiors workmanship across the country by entering this year’s Scottish Awards. Nominations are also sought for Apprentice of the Year.

The deadline for entry is 28 February and winners across all categories will be revealed at a special lunch at the George Hotel in Edinburgh on 6 October.

The award categories consist of Fit Out, Drywall Construction, Plasterwork (general

and heritage), Suspended Ceilings, Partitioning, Judges’ Award and Apprentice of the Year (for apprentices undertaking their training in Scotland).

Astins’ installation (pictured) at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow took Silver in the 2016 Drywall Construction category.

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org

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COMMENT & OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk

Editor’s column

More change to follow The world has changed and no doubt this year will bring even more of the unexpected.

This month sees President Trump take office – wow… I never ever thought I’d write those words! The process of exiting the EU will also gather pace, assuming that the courts don’t delay the inevitable even more.

So, where does the finishes and interiors sector go from here? Workloads are expected to hold up but with commercial office investment already falling there is a lot resting on the government’s ambitions to boost construction with more housebuilding and infrastructure spending.

But how can we resource this boost in spending when there is a commitment to reduce foreign workers? All very well upskilling existing workers but where will the new entrants come from?

FIS is driving its new training strategy as part of a commitment to closing the increasing skills gap that exists within the finishes and interiors sector (see page 25).

Its £350,000 investment should be praised.

The government continues to bang the drum for apprenticeships yet the model to bring more new entrants into our industry just doesn’t seem to work. Everyone supports the concept but the reality of delivery is not there. Even the much-lauded new Apprenticeship Levy has caused confusion and the effect of the new levy is still unknown. However, if the voucher system can be made to work this will be a big step forward.

This is where the sector has to up its game and drive improvements in performance. Educating end-user clients to remove wasteful processes and improving co-ordination between specialist trades will make a significant difference to raising productivity and technical standards.

Just take a tube to Vauxhall in South London and walk across the Wandsworth Road to look at the way Stanmore has tackled a multi-trade contract for house developer Barratt see (page 14). Its tight team approach and complete flexibility have helped to keep work on programme.

This is just one of many examples from FIS members and demonstrates how traditional businesses can, and have, adapted to changing requirements and tackle time, cost and quality with total commitment.

You may have thought 2016 was a year of dramatic events, but we sure have a big year ahead of us with 2017.

Adrian JG Marsh Editor 04 Advertising 01926 420660

Focus on training At an event I attended last month on skills, the director of people and skills at the CBI, Neil Carberry, said that he thought the most important skill a company would need in the period ahead is the ability to deal with uncertainty. He also talked about the resilience that workers will need, so that they can cope with a changing social fabric and technological advancements at an ever-accelerating rate, meaning shorter technology cycles. The view is that companies will also come and go in shorter business cycles.

The latest Boardroom Bellwether report of FTSE 250 companies published in the Financial Times in December said no companies expected a “significant improvement” in the global economy in the next year. Over half thought Brexit would have a damaging effect with only 9 per cent seeing the impact as positive. All a bit gloomy but contrasted by the view that in their own sectors, forecasts were brighter with 57 per cent expecting an improvement or no change. Go figure that one out! If nothing else it shows “we don’t know what we don’t know” and for the time being you have to work in the market as it is, and be agile and resilient enough for change, be it the global economy, Brexit, social or technological.

We are again unapologetically focusing on training and skills in this issue. On the day of writing this opinion piece, the CEO of CITB, Adrian Belton, has just resigned. With Paul Morrell conducting the review of CITB for government and the Farmer Review asking for wholesale change at CITB, this is certainly an uncertain time for them.

Our sector has three skills time bombs ready to go off: a high proportion of EU immigrant labour, a workforce that will come

under scrutiny over ‘hidden employment’ following a recent employment tribunal finding against Uber taxis, and an ageing workforce made up of many middle-aged workers who will retire in the years ahead.

Our decision to develop our own in-house training team to assist FIS members looks more important if members are going to be able to find the skills they need to continue to service their clients.

To help us assess the scale of the problem, we’ve launched a labour market survey (www.thefis.org/survey) to take a comprehensive look at where our labour comes from, how qualified it is and its age profile. This information will make it much easier to lobby government about the need to maintain access to labour markets without onerous, bureaucratic visa restrictions that add cost to the whole process. I hope you will support us by completing the survey.

One of the features of a successful training strategy is that more training will be done by members and, as a consequence, members will get a better return on the levy they pay in. More trained workers, more grant returned and less uncertainty – at least in one area.

DAVID FRISE FIS chief executive www.thefis.org In the New Year FIS, supported by CITB, will undertake an analysis of productivity within the drylining sector. The project is designed to examine the differences in productivity levels between trained, qualified drylining operatives and untrained workers carrying out the same functions.

VIEWPOINT

www.thefis.org

Can small changes make a big difference?

Improving productivity and efficiency in construction has always been a challenge. Indeed, government figures state construction productivity has only increased by 1.4 per cent since 1997. We know that time and material wastage impact the bottom line, but what isn’t clear is how to fix this. Gareth Dunn, innovation manager at British Gypsum, explores.

UK’s labour productivity has been relatively stable over the past five years but construction output has been less reliable. An area most affected is repair and maintenance, with outputs decreasing by 3.6 per cent from July to September 2016 – leading to an overall dip in construction output of 1.1 per cent compared to the previous quarter.

Having spent time on-site

with installers, it’s clear that a lot of time is wasted waiting for materials to set, increasing the completion time of smaller repair jobs and decreasing productivity.

Electricians, plumbers and decorators, as well as plasterers and multi-trades, frequently do small jobs to repair holes, fill in pipe or cable chases and finish the walls. Professionals use an

undercoat or patching plaster to complete the repair; however, this can mean waiting up to three hours for the product to set before skimming it. To overcome this, many professionals modify the mixture, adding ingredients like dirty water or cement to force quicker setting times. While this might make it set faster, the exact setting time can vary and it may not set at all.

Understanding these issues can help improve construction productivity by influencing manufacturers’ product developments. Our trade patching range, for example, reduces time spent on smaller repair jobs by decreasing setting time by as much as two thirds. Other quick-drying products, like paint and cement, similarly boost productivity by giving installers time to complete more than one job a day.

While productivity is a large-scale issue in the construction industry, the whole supply chain should consider what they can do to make a difference. This means everyone, from manufacturers to tradespeople, working together to pinpoint areas where time savings can be made and taking a fresh look at innovative ways to solve them.

GARETH DUNN British Gypsum Innovation manager www.british-gypsum.com

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CCF brings modern flooring solution to historic museum CCF has worked with manufacturer Mapei and installer Polished Concrete Designs on a project to provide a sound flooring solution for the prestigious Imperial War Museum during a refurbishment in commemoration of the centenary of the First World War. Mapei’s high-performance cementitious flooring system, Ultratop, was chosen to provide a flooring system that could accommodate the heavy visitor footfall. In addition, the flooring solution needed a high-quality finish while being quick and efficient to install.

To ensure a quick turnaround, CCF also supplied Mapei Topcem rapid-drying screed – a product that hardens within 24 hours and dries in approximately four days – with Mapei Primer SN, a two-component epoxy pre-filled primer, being applied for a self-smoothing cementitious finish.

The transformed museum now houses additional First World War Galleries, a reconfigured atrium, redeveloped event spaces and improved retail outlets and cafe. www.ccfltd.co.uk

Style partitions creates flexibility for UBM

StoVentec Glass puts on striking performance A new £5m theatre and community arts centre in Devon has been given an imposing appearance thanks to the use of a dramatic rainscreen cladding solution from Sto. While creating a crisp and contemporary style for the new Pavilions Teignmouth building, the StoVentec Glass cladding also reflects the surrounding Victorian architecture and helps the new venue to provide a pleasing and contemporary visual contrast to its surroundings.

Some 600m2 of the StoVentec Glass system was used to clad the first floor of the new building. The rainscreen cladding system features a rugged, adjustable sub-construction with Sto-Stainless Steel Wall Brackets, aluminium support profiles and Sto-Rainscreen Duo Slab insulation. These are then covered with bespoke StoVentec Glass panels, which feature toughened glass bonded to lightweight carrier boards.

Sto finished the ground floor blockwork walls externally with StoRend Fibre Plus. www.sto.co.uk

New acoustic stud from Siniat – thinner and quicker to construct Siniat has launched the Resilient Acoustic Stud (RAS), an acoustic stud product that enables thinner high-performance acoustic partitions to be constructed more quickly than if using regular systems.

The new RAS, which is 17mm thinner than Siniat’s previous Resilient Bar System, is a simple stud and track system that make it easier for installing M&E fixtures, such as light and plug sockets.

The stud features two steel profile sections held together by an acoustic tape to prevent airborne and impact sounds from passing through. Unlike traditional metal C studs, which actively transmit airborne and impact sounds from one face of a partition to another, RAS reduces the connection between the two sides of the partition, so there’s no need for designers to specify a traditional single frame with multiple boards or a resilient bar to overcome this.

Siniat’s new RAS has been designed for hotels, student accommodation, care homes and change of use projects, and meets the performance requirements of English Building Regulations Part E: Rooms for Residential Purposes and Part E: Change of Use.

Style has supplied and installed a moveable wall system to the main presentation room at UBM’s striking new London headquarters, accommodated in the top nine floors of an eye-catching crystalline parallelogram structure that rises to 90 metres high within London’s skyline.

The new development was designed by Gensler with FIS member Swift Refurbishments contracted for the 11-month fit-out project.

Style recommended DORMA Moveo Glass partitioning walls for three sides of the presentation room to maximise available light and create a spacious feeling. A fully automatic, solid Moveo partition was installed to the centre, enabling an additional two meeting rooms to be created at the push of a button.

Gary Schofield, senior associate with Gensler, commented: “Style’s ingenious moveable wall system offers staff excellent opportunities to use the space efficiently and productively.”

Selectaglaze was appointed to provide secondary glazing at a conversion of an old courthouse in Shoreditch, London, into a boutique hotel.

Principal contractor McAleer and Rushe asked Selectaglaze to design and provide a solution for a variety of window styles that would give careful consideration to thermal performance and mitigate noise ingress from the busy streets.

As a Grade II-listed building, the original primary windows had to remain, so Selectaglaze designed 106 secondary glazing units, including curved, raked, casement doors and a double floor-height feature window. The circular windows on the top floor required particular care, and a bespoke fixing method for installation had to be created to meet the client’s requirements.

www.style-partitions.co.uk

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Selectaglaze helps transform courthouse into hotel

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British Gypsum unveils 2.3m board for housing British Gypsum has introduced a new 2,300mm length board as a standard option on tapered edge 12.5mm Gyproc WallBoard, as an alternative to the traditional 2,400mm size. The new length has been designed to help housebuilders reduce waste and save time on site.

The new size is a result of British Gypsum’s collaboration with major housebuilders, particularly Barratt Developments, to gain a consensus and prove the business case for a specific industry standard shorter plasterboard.

Following a successful trial with Barratt Developments, British Gypsum has launched the 2,300mm length as a standard option on tapered edge 12.5mm Gyproc WallBoard. Barratt’s estimates that switching to the 2,300mm plasterboard will reduce its annual waste by at least 1,200 tonnes. www.british-gypsum.com

Interface’s Skinny Planks revitalise design office Carpet tiles from Interface have injected a splash of colour at the central London offices of architecture and design practice KSS as part of a revamp to celebrate 25 years in business.

KSS chose to revitalise its office by updating the central spine of the studio to create a bold walkway with colourful flooring that would draw visitors into the space.

Claire Wilson, associate at KSS, explained: “We’ve worked with Interface on a number of previous projects, so we knew the company was the right choice for updating our own office design.”

The team at KSS selected Skinny Plank tiles from Interface: planks of lime and several shades of grey from the On Line collection were fitted in the walkway, and a selection of three, two-tone tile products from the Off Line collection were interspersed across the floor.

Versatile ceiling designs from SAS International The Linear Range (SA700 – SAS750) from SAS International, shown here in SAS750 Tubeline at the multi-award-winning Greenwich Pavilion, provides options from high volume coverage to bespoke niche applications.

SAS International designed, supplied and installed this bespoke ceiling solution for the project, which required internal, external, horizontal and vertical mountings, fully displaying the versatility of the range.

Accommodating service integration and signage, the linear systems come in a powder-coated finish as standard with other finishes, including anodised, available.

With a high percentage of open area, these linear ceiling systems are suitable for smoke extraction and have a range of access options to the void. SAS740 and SAS750 can also provide acoustic control offering up to Class A absorption. www.sasint.co.uk

Siderise delivers impressive Underfloor heating all packaged up with SIG acoustic performance for SSE Hydro www.interface.com

SIG Performance Technology has launched a new intelligent underfloor heating system which combines high quality products with advanced technology.

FUSI is a fully integrated underfloor heating package designed to overcome the common challenges of designing and installing traditional wet systems.

With FUSI, SIG Performance Technology is bringing together the multiple elements required within an underfloor heating programme into a fully integrated package, providing a single point contact solution which is Part E compliant and offers design, installation and cost benefits.

FUSI systems are developed as bespoke solutions to meet specific project requirements and installed by accredited FUSI installers to protect the integrity of the design once on-site.

Acoustic solutions from Siderise have been specified by FIS member and specialist contractor Roskel Contracts to meet the acoustic performance criteria at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, the 12,500-seat music and sporting arena adjacent to the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Roskel Contracts approached Siderise for its technical expertise in acoustics to find a bespoke solution that would meet the requirements as part of an acoustic performance upgrade at the venue.

Siderise used its acoustic barrier/damping mat solution Siderise BM/P5/ BOAK, thin polymeric sound barriers that provide exceptional flexibility and offer optimum sound reduction and dampening performance. These overlapping sheets were fixed and sealed to provide a continuous membrane which could be shaped and installed to suit the services and structural elements, resulting in a fully compliant system.

www.sigpt.co.uk

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PRODUCTS www.thefis.org

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www.specfinish.co.uk 09

LEGAL

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Updated statutory guidance: the 30-day payment rule in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 Barrister Professor Rudi Klein explains the recently revised statutory guidance on the 30-day payment rule applicable to public sector works.

Background

On 26 February 2015, Regulation 113 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 came into force, which applies to public sector contracts entered into

by UK government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (i.e. government quangos), and English public bodies (e.g. local authorities). These are collectively referred to in the Regulations as ‘contracting authorities’. (A contracting authority which is a maintained school (funded by a local authority) or an Academy (funded by government) is exempted from Regulation 113.)

Regulation 113, which was revised on 30 September last year, imposes a duty on contracting authorities to ensure that contracts with their contractors contain a requirement to make payments within 30 days.

They must also ensure that clauses to the same effect are contained in sub-contracts and sub-sub-contracts.

Where such requirement is absent from the contract (or sub-contract) there is, in any event, a term implied by Regulation 113(6) that payment must be made within 30 days. This means that even if the payment periods stated in your contract are more than 30 days, you still have a statutory right to be paid within 30 days. Where payments are made later than the 30 days, you have a right to levy statutory interest, under the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 and the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2002 and 2013.

Where you have concerns about the solvency of the payment party, you may wish to suspend performance of any or all of your contractual obligations on the expiry of the 30 days (rather than waiting for payment on the expiry of the contractual payment period).

When does the 30 days start?

When Regulation 113 came into force it was unclear as to when, in construction contracts, the 30 days started from. The answer under Regulation 113 is the point at which invoices are verified as being valid and undisputed. But this is not easily aligned with the statutory payment notice procedure in construction contracts. Therefore, the revised statutory guidance issued under Regulation 113 advises that the start dates for the 30 days under construction contracts are as follows: 1. Where the paying party is required to issue the payment notice (i.e. within five days of the payment due date) the 30 days starts after the notice is issued.

Payment due date

Payer issues payment notice on, for example, Day 4 30 days

5 days 10 Advertising 01926 420660

2. Where the paying party is required to issue the payment notice but has failed to do so, the 30 days starts from the date when the notice should have been issued, or the date when you issued a default notice (whichever is later). If your contract requires or permits you to issue a payment application, the application takes effect as the default notice immediately on the expiry of the five days after the due payment date.

Payment due date

Payer hasn't issued payment notice.

Application takes effect on expiry of 5 days

Final date for payment 30 days

5 days 3. Where you have issued the payment notice, the 30 days starts after the date on which the notice was issued.

You have issued a payment notice on, for Payment example, due date Day 4

Final date for payment 30 days

5 days

What to do in the event of non-compliance

In the event that a public body or a contractor (above you in the supply chain) is applying a term in excess of 30 days, a complaint can be made to the government’s complaint service, called the Mystery Shopper Scheme.

In order to preserve your anonymity, it is better if the complaint was made through FIS, but you will need to produce the terms in your contract/ sub-contract that allow for payments to be made in excess of 30 days.

Final date for payment This Regulation is potentially far-reaching. It attempts to standardise 30-day payment terms up and down the supply chain on all public works contracts. But you may have to police the process to ensure that 30-day terms are being applied. Public bodies must publicise on their websites the extent of their compliance with the Regulation.

PRODUCTS www.thefis.org

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TECHNICAL www.specfinish.co.uk

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TECHNICAL www.thefis.org

Spray finishes – are they the future?

twice as fast, offer a higher quality of finish and reduce the amount of material on-site by eliminating the need for a direct water supply.

“These systems considerably reduce waste and reduce the health and safety risks that are involved with current hand-applied systems, especially with working at height.”

Take-up from people being trained to use spray finishes is on the increase and FIS expects to see more courses being added to its CourseSight platform as demand is seen across the country. Any successfully completed courses in spray-applied finishing will be added to the individual’s CSCS card so that employers can be reassured that the necessary training has taken place.

In the July edition of SpecFinish, spray plaster was highlighted as an innovation in plastering that will speed up the process, so much so that it was featured on Grand Designs in a house being constructed on the Isle of White.

The claim here was that it was up to three times faster than traditional methods.

So, why aren’t we seeing it being used on every site?

“Size matters and culture change also has something to do with it,” said Steve Coley of Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions. “To make it practical, you need a large area to go at which can be a whole house where the pump is placed outside and the hoses brought in to apply the finish or a large surface, such as a school or commercial building. It’s not applicable to all applications.

Spray-applied finishing claims to applying these types of So, will spray-applied finishes “Then there is the issue of not offer several advantages around spray-applied finishes to the face replace traditional methods? wanting to be the first to use it, waste, speed, efficiency, quality, and of the wall or ceiling. There are two “The real benefit of our Thistle and although there are several case health and safety, for example access types of finish available: a Spray Finish is that it can be to height without using towers and plaster-based product mixed flattened to a finish quickly with no studies which can demonstrate the benefits of using a spray finish, there scaffolding, but the biggest that I can on-site and a ready-mixed finish additional work required, such as is still resistance from some quarters,” see is around labour and skills. made up of ground marble from sanding,” explained Paul Cassidy, continued Mr Coley. “However, I am Firstly, spray-applied finishes don’t quarries mixed with polymers and British Gypsum’s senior product convinced it’s the future.” need to be carried to the face of organic binders. manager – plasters and jointing. the wall or ceiling on a hawk, which The makers of the ready-mixed “In most areas, though, the skill It is estimated that an additional 230,000 tradespeople are needed must be good for the wellbeing of product claim that it is flexible of the plasterer is always needed the craftsperson, and secondly they and therefore can be used in to ensure the quality finish people by 2020, so our sector needs to proactively look for ways to improve can be applied with a minimum of off-site production where panels expect, so hand-applied plaster is productivity. Could spray-applied training, which must be a benefit to are factory-finished before being still very important.” finish be one of the long-overdue companies facing a skills shortage transported and hoisted on-site.

Graham Chenoweth, business innovations to bring the sector into where retirement and a lack of new Because marble leaves a smooth development manager – finishes at the 21st century, or will it remain on people coming into the sector are white finish, there is no need to Knauf, added: “As clients and causing problems in delivering mist-coat the finish before painting, contractors look to reduce programme the margins? projects to tight timescales. and there is also the option to have schedules and improve productivity, colour impregnated into the mix to some of the traditional methods just Airless pumps or screw pumps, FIND OUT MORE which can be easily hired, are the save the paint process and speed can’t keep up. Knauf’s Readymixed JOE CILIA tools of choice when it comes to up the process even more.

Finishing Solutions are more than joecilia@thefis.org

During a recent visit to the continent, Joe Cilia, FIS technical manager, was surprised to hear people in the finishes and interiors sector describe how spray-applied plaster and finishes dominate, and they were surprised that the situation isn’t the same in the UK. In this technical article, he looks into the advantages of spray-applied plasters and seeks to find out why they aren’t more popular here.

www.specfinish.co.uk 13

FEATURE

PROJECT REPORT

www.specfinish.co.uk

New look for Nine Elms Point At the heart of the new-look neighbourhood is Nine Elms Point where Sainsbury’s and Barratt London have redeveloped a 1980s supermarket to create a contemporary mixed-use retail and residential scheme. Adrian JG Marsh visited Stanmore Contractors to find out how the specialist contractor has played a part in the new scheme.

“It all started when we were sent the details of a cladding package back in 2013,” said Dave Foreman from Stanmore.

That enquiry has now grown into a £32m contract that incorporates three packages: low-level cladding; internal ceilings, walls and floors; and a metal work package embracing architectural features. It’s the largest Stanmore site and due to complete later this year.

Sainsbury’s is working with Barratt London to deliver 737 new homes, a new 8,000m2 Sainsbury’s store and 3,000m2 of local shops, restaurants and office space in Nine Elms, south London. The scheme is part of the wider transformation of Nine Elms on the Southbank into Central London’s newest district, located between Chelsea Bridge and Lambeth Bridge.

The triangular-shaped site has retail outlets from ground to level

three, then the residential scheme starts at level four and has apartment blocks surrounding a podium on this level. Three towers vary in height from 18 storeys on block D, rising to 27 on block K and to 37 floors on block G. Two nine and two 10 storey blocks link the towers.

Mr Foreman explained the strategy. “We wanted to make the building weatherproof as quickly as possible so that our teams could move inside to start installing the internals and complete the facade finishes in a predetermined sequence,” he said.

Design development was carried out with Barratt and its consultant Wintech to engineer the most cost-effective solution.

As floors became available, Stanmore began installing 10,000m2 of Metsec SFS and then boarded and sealed with two layers of Y-Wall. All the joints were sealed with EPDM.

The windows were installed under a separate contract by M Price.

Describing the facade finishes, Mr Foreman said: “We had three different types of cladding: Sotech aluminium rainscreen; Sto glass rainscreen; and a Sto insulated render system. A Tyvek membrane was installed on the front of the board followed by insulation, which varied depending on the cladding finish.

“On the lower floors, a helping hand bracket system was installed with 50/80mm of Kingspan. Then on the upper floors, a Rockwool DuoSlab insulation was used.

DuoSlab has two insulation elements, one hard and one soft, which makes it easier to install.

We then hung the Sto Ventec glass cladding panel onto brackets.

“For the glass cladding to meet the U-value and fire-rating requirements, we had to increase the thickness of insulation from 80mm to 200mm, strengthening the bracketry at the same time.”

Stanmore has rendered facades

Nine Elms Point

on four blocks. There is a double board, 20mm cavity, 120mm Rockwool insulation (500mm x 1,000mm) and then render. The Sto-Rotofix, a spiral hammer fixing, was used to fix the insulation.

Externally the main architectural feature was a decorative 250mm x 300mm metal band running around every floor.

Stanmore took the concept design and developed it in detail. Sections were fabricated off-site at its factory in south east London and brought to site for installation.

A British Gypsum system was used for the internal works. First the party walls were built to create the external line of each apartment.

The first fix had to leave an open wall, and a rip board was installed at floor level to allow the screed to flow up to the floor level. In total, 56,000m² of Tarmac flow screed was poured onto Jablite EPS insulation.

Once hard, the walls and MF ceilings of each home were then erected.

Mr Foreman said: “We’ve had to be flexible and cope with bad weather that did affect the build programme. But careful planning with the client and other trades has ensured we’ve kept to agreed schedules.”

The contract at Nine Elms Point has demanded a tight team approach and complete flexibility to keep it on programme. It’s due to finish in 2018 but this may need to come forward.

Developer: Barratt Sainsbury’s Joint Venture Main contractor: Barratt London Architect: Broadway Malyan Drywall, facade and screeding: Stanmore Contractors Limited Package value: £32m Site start: 2014 14 Advertising 01926 420660

SITE REPORT

Thistle UniFinish

FEATURE

www.thefis.org

We passed the only test that matters.

Yours.

Ideal for plastering over a wide range of surfaces without PVA, we’ve put Thistle UniFinish through its paces.

It’s been thoroughly tested in our labs, but we know the only test that really matters is the one you put it through. So, we gave it to professional plasterers like Pete – who gave it their approval. They say it cuts out pre-treatment, gives a silky-smooth finish, and saves time not having to mop up PVA drips and splashes. Visit the website to find out why the professionals are all talking about new Thistle UniFinish.

To watch Pete plaster visit YouTube @theplastermanco

british-gypsum.com www.specfinish.co.uk 17

FEATURE

STAIRCASES

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Installing a staircase… one step at a time As with many aspects of fit-out, time and effort spent at the early design stage helps avoid challenges further down the line.

But with staircases, as Steve Menary reports, there are some situations that can only be worked out on-site.

On a pragmatic level, a staircase is a shortcut between floors, but it is also something that can add grandeur and create lightwells.

The choice at the design stage is metal or timber.

“Metal staircases can look far more striking, overall,” said Michael Page, joint managing director of workplace consultant Saracen Interiors. “If you consider spiral staircases, they can provide a real focal point and create a lasting impression.

“Not only that, but metal staircases are stronger, so can take a more flexible approach to the design and do a lot more. They also generally cost much less and aren’t such a fire risk, as they are flame retardant.”

Timber is typical for domestic settings, while metal is usually specified on major commercial projects, such as Sea Containers on London’s Southbank, where fit-out specialist BW installed a brass and glass staircase designed

by BDG architecture + design.

BDG’s design at Sea Containers opened up large areas of space to produce an upmarket identity for the building, which is occupied by advertising giants Ogilvy.

“Metal treads and stairs can be noisy but are easy to assemble on-site. Essentially [they are] prefabricated off-site and then bolted together, or welded, which is a bit messier,” said BDG 16 Advertising 01926 420660

associate Toby Neilson.

At the Nine Elms Point mixed development for J Sainsbury in south London, a metal staircase within a 20-metre high atrium in the main entrance area was a major focal point but created countless challenges for specialist contractor Stanmore.

“I do believe that the architect wanted to make these stairs a rather chunky, robust structure which would not get lost in the atrium but rather dominate the space,” commented Martin Lukac, Stanmore’s senior contracts manager. “The main challenge began when the architect decided that these stairs should be floating on half landings without any support coming back to the floor, or ceiling for that matter.”

After these obstacles were resolved, the client requested wider landings, prompting a re-design.

Once work started, Stanmore had to then contend with lack of space as the stairs connected all levels.

Mr Lukac continued: “There was not enough space for a spider crane, and the landing and stringers were too heavy for other lifting equipment available. We needed to re-think our strategy and start exploring the routes of good old-school installation.”

Stanmore used temporary bespoke scaffold to support the half landings, while ladder beams were used to take the weight of the

This staircase formed part of Saracen Interiors’ office design and fit-out for Audatex in Reading.

first lower half landing. “The trick with this stair was that the landing need to be installed on some kind of support,” added Mr Lukac. Once this had been achieved, the strings were lifted and temporarily tack welded to the half landing and then fixed to the concrete floor and steel structure. Only then could permanent welding be carried out.

The project typifies the main issue with staircase installation,

explained Mr Lukac, highlighting: “Generally, the biggest obstacles, or shall I say the ones which repeat most often, are the logistics and the actual buildability of the stairs within given site conditions.”

While designing and constructing a staircase can be problematic in a new-build project, installing a stair structure into an existing building is harder and can compromise the design vision.

STAIRCASES

FEATURE

www.thefis.org

Mr Neilson of BDG added: “A large stair can be very difficult to ‘insert’ into an existing building. This usually results in a lot of parts which need to be assembled on-site. This isn’t always the most cost-effective, or most beautiful, solution.

“Good understanding of the existing building and constraints is essential and working with good, experienced staircase manufacturers is invaluable – they can help foresee all sorts of issues and advise on the best way to design and construct.”

Structural loads and compromising an existing structure are main issues. Saracen’s Mr Page explained: “There is the issue of precision when it comes to cutting into the slab or the floor. Weight also has to be factored in as the integrity of the structure of the building is put at risk if the staircase weighs too much. You can’t use concrete and there is an overall preference for lightweight metal.

“Finally, each new staircase poses a potential fire risk between the two floors that it connects.”

The only solution is to design out problems before a staircase installation gets onto site.

Mr Page concluded: “We put a huge amount of time and effort into the early design stages to shore ourselves against budgetary problems that can occur from getting early calculations wrong. If you get the structural calculations correct at the design stage, the construction and fit-out stages will be far smoother and expectations can be managed all around.”

Few involved with the design and installation of staircases would disagree with that sentiment.

Stanmore worked around the challenge of this floating stair design at Nine Elms Point.

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wondertex.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 17

SKILLS & TRAINING www.specfinish.co.uk

Out in front

“I went through a session with Malcolm Love prior to my first big speech as President of the AIS (now FIS).

He helped me improve my delivery, control my One aspect of the FIS Skills Hub is sector-specific training, and FIS seeks nerves, relax and out training partners to deliver courses and learning opportunities for deliver the speech.

I took this selfmembers that are specifically tailored to the needs of the finishes and confidence and interiors sector. Communications coach Malcolm Love is one of those improved presentation skills back into my select partners. In this article, he examines some common myths day job and this has regarding public speaking. without doubt helped my career. I cannot recommend Malcolm’s training sessions highly enough.”

Jonathan Cherry, past president of AIS (now FIS) and global marketing manager of Saint-Gobain Gyproc

The 17th century physicist Isaac Newton could plausibly be called the patron saint of the ‘poor public speaker’ (although he was far from saintly). As Lucasian professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, Newton was obliged to give an annual public talk about his work. The event was apparently so mind numbingly dull that people left in droves during the speech.

Word got around and the next year, no one came at all!

Good speakers have far more impact on their chosen audiences than others.

And it turns out (most unfairly) that a great, important or significant message badly delivered has far less impact and 18 Advertising 01926 420660

“Malcolm has a wealth of knowledge on communicating and presentations. His tricks and tips of the trade give you the self-confidence to get your message across, whether in front of 350 members at the President’s Lunch or at a pre-tender meeting selling my company. With Malcolm’s input and advice, you will get the confidence as well as the knowledge. Priceless.”

Steve Coley, FIS president and managing director of Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions influence than it deserves. Worse, it can have a negative effect.

Our public communication skills are perceived to speak loudly about us and about the organisations we represent. All of us speak in public,

whether it’s briefing our teams, pitching to clients or addressing a conference. (And let’s not forget the potential social demand to ‘say a few words’ at a farewell or deliver a wedding speech.)

I’ve spent my whole career working in some form of public communication or another and the last 21 years actively helping people to be better public communicators. During my work in radio journalism and later as a senior programme maker for the BBC, I learned the nuts and bolts of connecting with an audience.

Now, as a coach, I spend my time figuring out what works for people, and why, as they attempt to communicate their ideas with more effectiveness.

I find that there are some common myths about public speaking.

The first is that it is a matter of talent. You are either born with the talent or you are not. Lots of British teenagers would rather die than hold a conversation with an adult. Though many of their American counterparts will just as soon look you straight in the eye, shake you firmly by the hand and confidently ask about your journey. I put the difference down to the culture of ‘show and tell’ in school. But this is certainly not about innate talent. It’s about learning skills and knowhow. I have no doubt that anyone can learn to be a much better speaker.

SKILLS & TRAINING www.thefis.org

Another myth is that this training will take a long time.

It is hard to make significant changes on your own. But with proper coaching in three hours you can learn everything that matters about speaking in public.

Of course, for anything, practice makes perfect, but rapid and permanent changes can happen in a morning or afternoon.

Many people think that trainers will attempt to cajole them into unnatural poses and gestures. In short, the fear is that you must become someone else to be a better public speaker. Actually, the opposite is true. Our unique qualities are what make us interesting. If we all learned THE way to walk, look, gesture, construct a speech, etc., we would have added to the sum of boring things in the world. My contention is that you do not have to lose or hide the real you, any more than a singer should trade their uniqueness by learning to sing better.

FIS Communications Training Gain the skills, and confidence, to deliver powerful presentations.

‘How to create a great pitch’

This half-day interactive course covers these key issues: • Plan of attack! Establishing a proper process for creating and developing your presentation.

• Blurry eyed? How to focus your business message.

• Vive la difference! Kinds of pitches and the one you need to make.

• Story board. The key elements of storytelling that shape your pitch and make your message compelling.

• The good, the bad and the downright ugly. The key design principles of effective visual aids (e.g. with PowerPoint and Presi).

• Top tips. How to enhance your presentation.

Bespoke Communications Training

Looking for something more specific, delivered at a venue of your choice? Our one-day programme, delivered to a maximum of 15 people, is tailored to your specific needs.

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/skills-hub/sector-training

Building Board Systems

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This advert is a general guide and specific technical advice is recommended before proceeding with any transaction. Full technical information available on 01925 860999.

www.specfinish.co.uk 19

FEATURE

LOGISTICS

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Reducing transport risks

Specialists throughout the finishes and interiors sector need to make sure resources move efficiently and safely between the point of origin and the point of installation.

Failure to do so can be the difference between success and failure. Adrian JG Marsh finds out about the risks of operating your own fleet.

“Success can inadvertently leave some businesses in a bad place and they need to make sure vehicles and drivers are compliant,” said Andy Miles of AS Miles Consulting.

Work-related road accidents are the biggest cause of work-related accidental death. In 2014 over 500 people were killed in work-related road traffic accidents compared to approximately 133 fatalities due to accidents at work. Policy makers are increasingly looking at ways to reduce deaths on public roads so steps are being taken to reduce road traffic accidents.

While the transport commissioner only has the resources to check one per cent of vehicles, if you are faced with a spot check the results can be very costly. Ensuring that maintenance schedules have been carried out, drivers’ licences have been checked and that your workers are fit enough to drive after a long day will go a long way to reducing risks.

Last summer an SME contractor’s driver and his employer each faced 10 specimen charges for breaches of regulations. Both were found guilty; the driver faced a £160 fine and the employer a £1,600 fine – for each offence.

20 Advertising 01926 420660

Total cost was north of £30,000 for a random roadside check, and was totally avoidable.

The Road Traffic Act, various EU regulations and Health & Safety at Work Act cover operating

and maintaining vehicles at work and those who drive them. There’s no doubt that large organisations have established very professional operations to manage transport issues.

Dave Bonner at Nevill Long said: “We have made significant investments in our fleet recently, primarily to improve safety, economy and the environment, and ultimately to improve the service we provide to our customers.”

Nevill Long’s new fleet includes lane-departure technology and automatic breaking systems for safety. There are advanced telematics systems fitted to new lorries to improve driving style and report back to base with real-time data. And an advanced tracking system means they can look at a screen, tell the customer exactly where the vehicle is and advise of any delays.

However, smaller businesses may be at risk in the future. Mr Miles said: “Regulations are being tightened up across Europe. Every vehicle over 3.5 tonnes has to operate a tachograph, but there are rumoured to be moves to apply this to all commercial vehicles weighing 2.5 tonnes and above. If this goes ahead, it could impact on even the smallest van.

“A lot of businesses fall foul of regulations such as weights and running trailers. Putting effective procedures in place not only mitigates risks but it can also improve efficiency, cut costs and improve safety.”

Drywall and ceiling specialist Bespoke Drywall runs a small fleet of 3.5-tonne transits and sprinters to support fast-moving contracts in the commercial and retail sector.

Mark Grocock, its managing director, said: “We have a fleet management system that we use to track all our vehicles. There is a rigorous servicing regime and all our drivers have to adhere to strict procedures.”

A lot of training covers HGV driving but there is no training required to drive a transit van.

And that could be about to change, because

LOGISTICS

FEATURE

www.thefis.org

some industries are now putting in place new schemes. A growing trend is for any driver who drives more than 15,000 business miles a year to go on a defensive driving course. This may become an industry-wide standard in time.

Mr Miles explained: “Drivers are often looking for leadership and they will respond very quickly, boosting fleet availability and overall efficiency. Putting a few disciplines in place can raise standards. A simple move to keep vehicles tidy helps make sure a vehicle is roadworthy.

They don’t have to be showroom clean.

“The police often stop vehicles that are filthy because they’re more likely to have something wrong with them. And don’t forget that if a subcontractor gang is working for you, then you are potentially liable if they have an incident in a vehicle.

“Road safety is so topical these days.

Regulations cover many aspects, and hours of driving when combined with hours at work are high on the list. The driver who sets off at 5am and doesn’t get back until 10pm could fall asleep at the wheel the next day or evening and cause an accident. Employers could be responsible if steps have not been taken to put safety above profitability.”

A salutary warning in view of recent court cases involving commercial drivers in tragic accidents.

Innovative ceiling tile packing from 3M and SAS International

SAS International uses three million protective pads per year to prevent damage to metal ceiling tiles during transit from its factories to sites. With 50,000m² of metal ceiling products leaving just the Bridgend factory per week, it’s important to maintain quality and reduce waste.

Protective low-tack pads were first introduced in 2011 to prevent tiles rubbing and scratching in transit. They replaced cardboard dividers that required cutting to order.

Phil Smith, group sales and marketing director at SAS International, said: “Twenty million pads were applied on products delivered all over the world. Then a small number of quality complaints came back about tabs leaving a visible mark on the tiles. We worked closely with 3M’s R&D team to develop a custom-made low-tack protective pad that did not mark.

This innovative solution required a custom-made compound, sourced from the USA, being combined with a composite adhesive.”

By introducing these simple but advanced protective pads, SAS International has reduced waste and speeded up production times.

www.specfinish.co.uk 21

FIS

ANNUAL REVIEW 2016

www.specfinish.co.uk

FIS Annual Review 2016 As the trade association that represents specialists in all aspects of the interior fit-out and finishes sector, FIS works to develop skills, drive technical competence and support its community. Read about FIS developments and initiatives from the past 12 months.

SKILLS

Helen Yeulet, skills delivery director FIS has continued to utilise funding from CITB to assist in delivering a difference to the membership.

This year has seen the delivery of a further 200 NVQ level 2s through additional OSAT funding from CITB, as well as funding support for other sector training. A pilot with Tyne Metropolitan College and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to bring 30 new entrants into the sector through a new training programme partnership is also being developed.

In 2016, FIS also introduced CourseSight, which brings together details of courses specific to the finishes and interiors sector, making accessing and booking training quick and easy. In addition, information from CourseSight is passed to SkillSight so that newly achieved qualifications are automatically added to individuals’ CSCS cards. Take a look at www.thefis.org/skills-hub/coursesight Going forward, the FIS board has approved a new skills strategy and employed a project team to drive the changes required (see page 25).

The skills delivery team will focus on five key measures: 1,500 new entrants to the sector per annum; a fully carded workforce by 2020; increase to 50 per cent of grant return on levy from 35 per cent; revenue from training to become a sustainable model; and FIS to become recognised industry leaders in skills.

22 Advertising 01926 420660

COMMUNITY

Sharon Mason, business development manager

“We are delighted with the Scottish Awards as they allow us to demonstrate our high standards of workmanship to the sector. In turn, the event provides an opportunity for us to entertain clients and architects and for them to better understand the value of selecting an FIS member for their projects.”

Steve Neilson, managing director, Worksmart Interiors Ltd

Adding value to our membership offering is always at the forefront of what we do and to this end we introduced new events, benefits, support and promotional opportunities in 2016.

The most significant of these was the launch of our new website.

The FIS website is packed with information and advice for those working in the finishes and interiors sector, with the three distinct hubs – Knowledge, Membership and Skills – making it easier for users to benefit from a host of sector-specific content.

The Scottish Awards were introduced to demonstrate the quality of work and the range of projects that are carried out in Scotland. This successful event will now be part of the FIS calendar moving forward and entry to this year’s awards closes on 28 February.

At our Conference in October we launched a new free legal service in partnership with construction lawyers Bond Dickinson. FIS members can ring the helpline to receive up to 60 minutes’ free advice per query from our dedicated lawyer, Kara Price. What makes this service especially valuable is that Kara will review documentation on members’ behalf and comment accordingly.

With the appointment of Nicky Smith as FIS content and digital strategy manager in June, we are beginning to actively use the new website and social media to share and promote members’ news. Live tweeting from our events allows us to showcase our industry, gain recognition and engage in conversations. The promotion of our magazines, SpecFinish and FIS Focus, online via the publishing platform Issuu puts our members’ news and products in front of a larger audience.

Our next major event is the President’s Lunch on 7 February 2017 at Plaisterers’ Hall – we look forward to seeing you there.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2016

FIS

www.thefis.org

TECHNICAL AND SUSTAINABILITY Joe Cilia, technical manager

In 2016, FIS took a new direction of engagement, delivering key projects and instigating several new ones to ensure that the association is continually developing standards and tools to allow members to remain competitive.

Members are now encouraged to attend one of the special interest forums that FIS has set up where specific areas of interest relating to specialist sectors can be raised and discussed.

The FIS forums now include SFS, BIM and digital construction, ceilings, drylining, heritage plastering, partitioning and operable walls.

These forums are already addressing issues of skills, standards, best practice and promotion of the sectors across construction.

“The glazed partitioning sector has long needed a unified approach to best practice and compliance with relevant standards and legislation. FIS is providing a valuable lead in creating the forum for debate and promoting the industry’s agenda within BSI and other bodies to enable a common understanding of our obligations to our customers.”

Peter Long, technical manager, Optima Products Ltd Working closely with BSI, RICS and RIBA’s NBS, and the FIS special interest forums, small working groups have been formed to address issues where BSI standards require updating.

This is a long process; however, the institutions are working closely with the sector to ensure that these revisions allow for more accessible and usable documents that companies can use to demonstrate they are meeting standards, and reducing confusion at all stages of a project.

We also launched the Fire Performance Labelling Scheme in 2016 which aims to highlight the importance of maintaining integrity of a fire-rated partition where pipes and cables are installed after the wall has been constructed. The scheme, which has been produced in partnership with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), has the backing of the country’s leading distributors of fire-rated drylining materials to ensure its wide use.

FIS president Steve Coley addresses guests at the 2016 President's Lunch.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE Robert Barker, membership manager

“The FIS continues to play a vital role in giving us a voice and dialogue with organisations, such as the HSE, that is immeasurably stronger together rather than individually. It provides our sector not only with the latest information but also gives us the heads-up on up and coming initiatives and possible future legislation that may have an impact on or alter current safe working practices.”

Health and safety is the responsibility of us all.

As we spend a lot of our life at work we need to know that our working environment is a safe place Gavin Palmer, health, safety and environmental manager, Astins Ltd to be, not only in terms of minimising the possibility of accidents but also in the long term by ensuring our occupational health is considered as well.

FIS is working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to produce solutions that will greatly improve the occupational health of operatives working in the finishes and interiors sector and give them a longer working life that is not cut short by avoidable injuries. One of the big issues FIS and HSE are working on is reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) for which there is a high prevalence in the construction industry.

The working group, which is jointly chaired by Land Securities and the HSE and was formed last year comprising members, construction professionals and manufacturers, is making headway towards reducing injuries caused by the movement and fixing of plasterboard. The group is looking at the possible advantages of reducing the board width to make boards lighter and easier to handle, both manually and mechanically with the aid of different types of moving and lifting aids.

In addition, the FIS Health and Safety forum holds regular briefings with HSE to keep our members informed of up and coming campaigns, changes in legislation and how CDM is working in our sector. If you would like to contribute, please email robertbarker@thefis.org Lastly, please make use of our Health and Safety helpline, which can be accessed via our website (www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits), keep a look out for health and safety articles in SpecFinish magazine, and FIS advice and alerts in our regular e-bulletins.

FUTURE INDUSTRY David Frise, chief executive

Two important projects were delivered in 2016 designed to address the sector’s move into digital construction.

Developed by 3Drepo, in partnership with FIS and Balfour Beatty, 3drepo.io is the multi-award-winning solution transforming the way organisations communicate and collaborate, across construction projects. For the first time, the unique 3drepo.io engine enables all parties to share 3D models, collaborating and communicating without the need for diverse, often complex and expensive, proprietary licences. Visit www.thefis.org/bim4fitout/3drepo Our FIS BIM process training, which is based on our BIM Toolbox, has been tailored for specialist fit-out and finishes contractors to allow them to demonstrate the company’s BIM capability and prequalify by completing core PQQ requirements with evidence. Take a look at www.thefis.org/skills-hub/sector-training/bim-process-training FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org www.specfinish.co.uk 23

HEALTH & SAFETY

www.specfinish.co.uk

Revised sentencing guidelines mean greater risk of jail In February 2016, the UK government strengthened sentencing guidelines for health and safety breaches with the outcome being much stricter penalties. Nearly one year on from the introduction of these new guidelines, are you sure of your responsibilities for keeping people safe at work?

Beefed-up sentencing guidelines

UK law is relatively robust, leaving very few loopholes that allow poor safety practices to flourish. As a result, the government has strengthened the associated sentencing guidelines, making it even less attractive for employers to take risks with the wellbeing of workers and members of the public.

The new sentencing guidelines came into force in February 2016 and already they appear to be having some effect in terms of the severity of sentence being handed down by the courts to those found guilty of breaking the law. Since 1 February 2016, individuals found to have breached the law face a maximum allowable penalty of a potentially unlimited fine and two years in prison. The sentencing guidelines do provide a sliding scale of punishments based on the severity of the incident.

More lawbreakers face jail

Research suggests that the new, stiffer sentences coincide with a greater willingness to prosecute those found to have broken the law. One legal firm claims that health and safety prosecutions increased by 400 per cent between 2011 and 2014, for instance.

The rate of conviction has also accelerated, alarmingly so for any employer unsure of their health and safety provisions. Between 1974 and 2016, 189 individuals were sent to jail for offences. Since the new sentencing guidelines came into force, however, there have been an average of three people jailed every month – 23 between February and October last year.

The jail terms handed down are quite significant, 24 Advertising 01926 420660

too. Incidents that would previously have been regarded as ‘low culpability’ have been attracting sentences of up to 26 weeks, although many of these have been suspended.

risk assessments that could have helped protect employees from serious injury – or death.

Employers need to tighten up

Certain sections of the media treat risk assessments as an annoyance, and they’re used by some businesses as an excuse to reduce the quality of service they offer, or cut costs by withdrawing services. And in a few high-profile cases, there is evidence that some are doing just this. But the reality is that risk assessments are absolutely vital to protecting employees and proving that you are doing everything you can to reduce the risk of accidents on-site. Morally – and increasingly, legally – risk assessments are evidence that your business is doing everything possible to keep workers safe.

Obviously, many business owners are unaware of the new sentencing guidelines and the very serious implications attached to each.

But they do know their responsibilities towards their employees, which have not changed in the 42 years since the Health and Safety Act came into force.

For more help and advice about getting your risk assessments in order (and to avoid a potential jail term), get in touch with Veritas Consulting.

Of the 23 people sent to jail between February and October last year, 20 were employers or sole traders.

Not only does this show that employers face very serious ramifications for failing to address health and safety issues, but that sole traders are not exempt from adhering to the Health and Safety Act. Every individual has a responsibility to keep themselves, their colleagues/employees and members of the public safe as they go about their work. And these new sentences are clear evidence of just how seriously courts are taking health and safety.

Shifting boundaries and broader interpretations

Since the Health and Safety Act came into being back in 1974, individual directors have always been open to prosecution. Under Section 37, if the HSE can prove that a director deliberately connived in activities that then led to a serious accident, they face jail time.

Some lawyers suggest that the interpretation of neglect is changing. Under Section 37, the definition of ‘neglect’ used to require directors to knowingly encourage unsafe work practices.

Recent cases suggest that directors are now being jailed for failing to undertake adequate

Missing risk assessments could result in a jail term

FIND OUT MORE DAVID CANT Veritas Consulting www.veritas-consulting.co.uk

SKILLS & TRAINING www.thefis.org

Attracting and developing a qualified workforce

FIS is enacting a new training strategy as part of its commitment to closing the increasing skills gap that exists within the finishes and interiors sector which will see the introduction of a new dedicated training and skills team. FIS skills delivery director Helen Yeulet outlines the plans.

Total estimated cost to deliver of £3.8M

“The FIS board made a big decision to invest £350k of members’ money, taken from reserves, in training and upskilling our members’ workforce. It’s a big investment for a big problem within our sector. It would, however, be a bigger problem to do nothing, sit by and blame everyone else,” explained Steve Coley, FIS president.

“With this large capital investment, FIS is tackling the skills shortage problem head on. We are leading by example.”

The new training strategy being put into practice by FIS involves the recruitment of a new skills project team. Across an 18-month delivery period, this team will focus on the following five key performance indicators (KPIs): attracting 1,500 new entrants to the sector per annum; increasing CITB grant

claimed against levy paid to 50 per cent from 35 per cent; FIS members having a fully and accurately CSCS carded workforce by 2020; funds to be generated from sector-specific training; and FIS to be recognised as an industry leading in skills.

Joining the new FIS skills project team, led by Helen Yeulet, are Paul Glover and Amanda Scott.

They will work as project managers to deliver the plan, which focuses on developing and working with partners that will bring their expertise and resources to the membership.

The first milestone is a large CITB structured funding bid in March this year with a request to support the approach and provide the funding for the training elements of the plan.

Prior to the bid being submitted, the new team will have engaged with

1500 new entrants to the sector per annum

Increase of grant claimed against levy paid to 50% from 50%

members and partners to ensure the evidence is gathered and the delivery plan secured. This will cover the following aspects: Approved training provider network – this is already well underway and will be formalised and publicised so that anyone within the sector can be sure of the quality of provision at the right price.

Analysis of the current qualifications held within the workforce – by working with the training providers, this will provide the evidence of the funding needed for additional training across all members.

Manufacturer engagement – working with the Construction Products Association (CPA) and manufacturers, FIS will ensure that members are always trained on the latest products and that manufacturer training is aligned to NVQ requirements.

Apprenticeship Levy (not to be confused with CITB Levy) – the effect of the new levy is unknown but FIS is working on a solution that will enable any of its members to gain access to an apprentice utilising the new voucher scheme.

Attracting new entrants to the sector – better marketing tools will be made available for schools, parents and member companies to use.

FIS membership fully carded workforce by 2020

FIS recognised as an industry leader in skills

Funds are generated from training

18 month delivery plan with defined phased approach

Employable apprentices – FIS will utilise relationships being developed with key colleges to ensure that apprentices have not just the theory but also the practical skills to work for members.

Employer assistance – clear and easy guidance on how to take on an apprentice will be developed.

Employer service for levy and grant claims – a central point to access a resource who can manage this for FIS members.

Sector-specific training – working with members to understand what training they currently can’t access and focusing on developing this with training providers.

By being involved with the rollout of skills development projects such as Bounce Back for ex-offenders, BuildForce for those leaving the Armed Forces considering a career in construction, and joint Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) work, FIS will be at the forefront of attracting new entrants into the sector and closing the skills gap.

One example of this is a pilot project FIS kicked off in November last year in the North East working with the DWP, Tyne Metropolitan College and local employers. This project takes unemployed workers interested in the sector through Specialist Upskilling Programme (SUP) training to get them site ready before giving them two weeks’ work experience on-site. The offer of an interview at the end of the process followed by registration for an NVQ and a CSCS card is making this very attractive to anyone without experience. The DWP is fully supporting the project by ensuring that these applicants continue to receive their benefits throughout.

The FIS skills team will then look to roll this out across all other colleges, engaging with local DWP and employers to put the process in place together with the funding.

The decision from FIS to invest in such a large project team reflects the scale of the problem. FIS is keen to hear from members interested in getting involved with skills and training initiatives.

GET IN TOUCH training@thefis.org www.specfinish.co.uk 25

FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.specfinish.co.uk

Calendar of events FIS President’s Lunch Plaisterers’ Hall, London 7 February 2017 FIS Awards Lunch 2017 The Dorchester Hotel, London 6 June 2017 FIS Scottish Awards 2017 George Hotel, Edinburgh 6 October 2017

BW achieves Gold SKA Rating for its new head office BW’s move to new offices at 5 Old Bailey, London, provided an opportunity to showcase its interior fit-out talent and achieve a Gold SKA Rating, the environmental assessment method, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit-outs, led and owned

by RICS. BW worked with designer KKS and managed the fit-out itself as part of the company’s transition to a new breed of fit-out contractor that balances design understanding with an appreciation of precision joinery and detail finishes.

The new office captures the essence of its location with angular design in the meeting suite and workspace, and a reception area with concrete-like gridded floor, bespoke Corian

Members’ Meetings 2017 Dates to be confirmed

reception desk and metal bronze screen installation that filters the external light and views out.

FIND OUT MORE www.wearebw.com

Book your place at the FIS President’s Lunch

OCL Drylining www.oclfacades.com

Industry leaders and FIS members will gather at Plaisterers’ Hall in London on 7 February for the annual President’s Lunch.

Guests will be entertained by professional comedian John Moloney with FIS presenting the 2017 President’s Awards for Apprentice of the Year, Outstanding Employee, Future Leader and Lifetime Achievement. The Plastering categories of the FIS Contractors Awards will also be presented at the event.

Tickets can be booked for individuals and tables on the FIS website.

Leverage Projects Ltd www.levprojects.co.uk

FIND OUT MORE AND RESERVE YOUR PLACE www.thefis.org/events/presidents-lunch-2017

Welcome to new FIS members

Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK Ltd t/a Celotex www.celotex.co.uk Providers of PIR thermal insulation for building and construction markets.

Drylining contractors for a variety of fit-out projects.

North-west based specialists in commercial fit-outs, office fit-outs and refurbishments.

Swindon Interiors LLP www.swindoninteriors.co.uk

Providers of fast-track fit-out projects for the leisure industry and offices sector.

Enaflo Interiors Ltd www.enaflointeriors.co.uk

Delivering commercial interior design, office refurbishment, office fit-out and build solutions throughout London and Kent.

SIGMAT Ltd www.sigmatframing.com

Providers of design, manufacture and assembly services for bespoke pre-panelised light gauge steel framing.

DPM Interiors Ltd www.dpminteriors.co.uk

Specialists in the design, supply and installation of partitioning, drylining and suspended ceilings.

Rite-Fix Ltd www.rite-fix.co.uk

Stockists and suppliers of a wide range of construction products across the UK.

26 Advertising 01926 420660

Artisan Plastercraft renovates plasterwork for Royal Academy of Arts celebration

Architectural and decorative plasterwork specialist Artisan Plastercraft is undertaking fibrous and lime plastering work at the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), in Piccadilly, London, in preparation for its 250th anniversary celebrations in 2018.

As part of this meticulous renovation project, the lecture theatre is being reinstated as part of Sir David Chipperfield’s redevelopment designs.

Artisan Plastercraft are dismantling the historic ceiling in the British Academicians room into approximately 150 pieces and this will be relocated and assembled in the new section of the RA. The careful renovation work is expected to take seven months to complete.

Clansman Interiors has announced the appointment of Lisa Marr, Alasdair Rattray and David Rattray as directors. The new directors, who were appointed on 6 October 2016, are looking forward to maintaining the high reputation of the family business.

Established in 1996, Clansman Interiors offers turnkey projects for refurbishments, fit-out, glazed demountable partitioning and fire screens, and suspended ceiling systems throughout Scotland and the UK.

FIND OUT MORE www.artisanplastercraft.com

FIND OUT MORE www.clansmaninteriors.com

L-R David Rattray, Lisa Marr, Alasdair Rattray

New directors at Clansman Interiors

FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.thefis.org

Education and wellbeing on the agenda

Stanmore Contractors secures Elephant Park contract

Lendlease has awarded Stanmore the contract to provide various exterior and interior packages at its Elephant Park regeneration project in London.

Stanmore will provide packages for the West Grove phase of Elephant Park, a £2.3bn regeneration that’s re-establishing the Elephant & Castle’s status in Zone 1.

This major contract win will see Stanmore install 32,000m2 of drywall and suspended ceilings as well as extensive screeding and facade packages. The West Grove area will consist of almost 600 homes in various building sizes, ranging from five to 31 storeys.

Stanmore will also design and install 14,000m2 of steel frame system (SFS) and install Knauf Marmorit insulated render, profiled cladding, splayed window and balcony flashings, and glass frame door entrances as part of the facade finishes.

FIND OUT MORE www.stanmoreltd.co.uk

FIS has been invited to host a 45-minute presentation to architects, designers and specifiers on the topics of education and wellbeing at next month’s Surface Design Show, which will be held at the Business Design Centre, London, from 7 to 9 February.

The informative presentation, which takes place on the main stage on Wednesday 8 February, will focus on the use of the RICS SKA Rating system for Higher Education, designed to meet

the requirements of the sector’s interior fit-outs and refurbishments in achieving clear, sustainable good practice.

The panel will feature Andrew Parkin of engineering consultants Cundall; Elina Grigoriou of London-based designers Grigoriou Interiors; and Evan Landy, EHS (Environment) Officer at University College London.

FIND OUT MORE www.surfacedesignshow.com

Mansell growth sees head office move Mansell Finishes has moved its head office from Cheadle to new 250m2 premises in Middleton, Greater Manchester, investing £100k and creating up to 16 jobs. The move took place on 1 January this year.

Mansell moved its production facility to larger premises in 2016 to accommodate increased demand for pre-panelised structural framing system (SFS) works, and now the estimating, business development, commercial and

PODIUM PLATFORM

contracts management departments, plus all directors, have followed suit to provide space for the increase in staff required due to recent growth.

The company’s accounts, finance, HR, buying, sales and marketing departments will now work from a new satellite office in Cheadle.

FIND OUT MORE www.mansellfinishes.co.uk

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manufacturing world-class interiors

SAS600 in the Saunders Centre, Glasgow – RIAS Design Award Winner

For over 45 years, SAS International has been trusted worldwide to deliver long-term value. For more information on our comprehensive range of performance and design led systems, please contact us. www.sasint.co.uk

+44 (0)118 929 0900

enquiries@sasint.co.uk