£3.50 November 2018
www.specfinish.co.uk
GRG takes Gold at FIS Scottish Awards Page 21
Finishes: Turning ideas into reality p12
Legal: Construction impact – Immigration after Brexit p16
FIS Conference: Growing Your Business in a Changing Market p18
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INSIDE THE NOVEMBER
ISSUE OF SPECFINISH
04 Voice of the industry: The age of austerity is undead 10 Technical: Compliance: third party certification 12 Feature: Finishes – Turning ideas into reality 15 Health & Safety: MSDs are bad for your business 16 Legal: Immigration after Brexit – the impact on the construction sector 17 Legal: Relevant Matters 18 FIS Conference 2018: Growing Your Business in a Changing Market 20 Skills & Training: Training – profit or loss? 21 FIS Scottish Awards Lunch 2018: Winners revealed
FRONT COVER: Ryedale Interiors took Gold in the Plasterwork category at the FIS Scottish Awards 2018 for its impressive GRG cast plaster ‘Space Trees’ at SOAR The Intu Centre in Braehead.
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 SUBSCRIPTIONS
SpecFinish is distributed to members of FIS and other selected finishes and interiors businesses. If you wish to receive a copy of SpecFinish or would like to amend or cancel your subscription, please contact either info@thefis.org or telephone 0121 707 0077.
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 2018
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Brexit uncertainty and infrastructure delays mean lower construction growth Growth for the UK’s construction sector next year has been downgraded amid signs Brexit uncertainty and ongoing delays in the delivery of major infrastructure projects continue to weigh on activity. The Construction Products Association’s (CPA) Autumn Forecasts anticipate growth will remain flat in 2018, and rise by only 0.6 per cent in 2019, a downward revision from its previous estimate of 2.3 per cent. Despite a weakened market, private housing continues to be a key sector of growth for the construction industry, with first-time-buyer demand enabled by the government’s Help to Buy scheme encouraging activity. Brexit uncertainty continues to drive expectations for the sharpest construction decline in the commercial sector, particularly felt in the offices sub-sector, and output is expected to fall 10 per
cent in 2018 and a further 20 per cent in 2019. The infrastructure sector also remains a primary driver of growth. However, there remain concerns about government’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects without the cost overruns and delays seen recently on Crossrail. Noble Francis, economics director at the CPA, said: “Construction continues apace in some sectors such as house building, particularly in key hotspots of activity such as Manchester and Salford. Overall, we are still expecting construction output to increase next year but this growth is highly dependent on house building outside London and also major infrastructure projects.” FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk
Construction industry frustrated with slow response to fire safety
Government calls for evidence about late payment
New research, commissioned by UK Construction Week, has revealed a growing frustration with the slow response from government relating to fire safety building regulations and standards, despite a promise to review regulations and drive change. Construction industry professionals have reported that since the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2016 there have been changes in the products used for cladding, insulation and fire doors, as well as more demands for new fire testing of products. They also reported changes to the way procurement policies, tenders and contract terms deal with fire safety issues and responsibilities. FIS has taken an active role and Iain McIlwee, chief executive at FIS, said: “During the last 18 months, FIS has worked with its members to review current product performance and specifications to help the finishes and interiors sector be fully compliant with the latest standards that address fire risks and make sure appropriate fire safety training is available. “We continue to support this process but need to see action accelerated. We can’t just wait for regulation; indeed, this will largely fix the future, but not address a legacy of neglect. The elephant in the room is how are we going to start to pay for some of the improvements that we know have to be made? “We can wait for the blame game to finish, but all of this time people, some of the most vulnerable in society, are potentially not sleeping as safely at night as they have a right to. This is something we would like to see addressed in the upcoming Budget.” Read the research overview online.
Government is calling on contractors to help end the problem of late payments to small businesses by large companies who abuse their position in the market. It is encouraging businesses, trade associations and other interested parties, such as academics, to contribute their views before 29 November. The government has also set the ambition that all its departments commit to paying 90 per cent of undisputed invoices from SMEs within five days. Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said: “Over the past five years, the amount owed to businesses in late payments has halved, but we will go further to make sure all of our small businesses are treated fairly.” Iain McIlwee, FIS chief executive, said: “There is no sticking plaster to the problem of unfair payment. There are a multitude of ways in which dues are not paid and retentions is front and centre. Cash flow and the resultant contractual wrangling undermine collaboration and productivity.” Cabinet Office Minister for Implementation Oliver Dowden said: “We expect the highest payment standards from both government and big business. That is why we will commit to central government aiming to pay 90 per cent of undisputed invoices from small and medium sized businesses within five days. Small firms can also report poor payment practices via our Mystery Shopper service.”
FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk
FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk
www.thefis.org
FIS opens Training Needs Analysis 2019 FIS has now opened its latest sector-wide digital Training Needs Analysis (TNA 2019). FIS members are urged to give their views. Submissions will provide evidence for the FIS Skills White Paper on the overall skills need and workforce sustainability of our sector, and enable the FIS skills team to make year-on-year comparisons from three years of TNA results. This sector engagement process will continue up to 2020. The TNA 2019 can be completed online before 31 January 2019 – all those completing will automatically receive a digital copy of the white paper. For advice and completion support, email amandascott@thefis.org
iBuiltThis2018 winners unveiled at awards ceremony
A House of Horrors, an Arch and The Ivy House were announced as the winning ‘builds’ in the #iBuiltThis2018 competition at a special awards ceremony at UK Construction Week last month. This FIS competition promotes careers in construction, getting young people, the construction industry and the public to show how proud they are of their contribution to the UK built environment. George Clarke, architect and host of Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces, presented the winners and runners-up: Hollie Baynes (pictured right) (13 and under category winner) for her submission, the House of Horrors; Naomi Hamilton (14 to 18 age category winner) for her entry, An Arch; and Jamie Hubbard (pictured left) (19 plus age category winner) for his entry, The Ivy House. FIS will launch #iBuiltThis2019 at the WorldSkills UK LIVE show at the NEC 15-17 November.
FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/skills-hub
FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/news
Germany’s market leading ceilings manufacturer, OWA tests its systems thoroughly when it comes to fire safety and fire resistance. OWAcoustic® white wool ceilings are made from stone and sand minerals, spun into wool, with clay-based mineral fillers so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to fire. OWA ceilings are tested to resist fire under most floor or roof constructions. Learn from OWA’s fire expertise. GERMAN
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01784 431 393 www.specfinish.co.uk 03
COMMENT & OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk
Editor’s column
Keep it simple The voluntary Prompt Payment Code target of 30 days is clearly not working, especially when signatories ignore it. Our sector only asks to get paid for work done, on the date that it’s due, and not have to spend additional time and effort having to justify agreed work at every move. If only it was that simple. Late payment remains a cancer that is eating away at the supply chain. Business insolvencies in construction are increasing, and while failures are often the result of incompetence, the scourge of late payment means that the survival of successful specialist contractors is questioned. Tier 1 contractors often hide behind glib phrases such as “We pay on agreed terms”, but last month MPs heard more evidence of real-life excuses being used to withhold and delay payments. This is why the government is calling for specialist contractors to let them have examples of late payment by 29 November (see page 2) so it can consider new legislation. Don’t miss out. Even in a world of tightening margins, specialists continue to play a pivotal role in bringing projects to life. You only have to take a look around the iconic Television Centre development in West London (see page 12) to see how the finishes contributed to the quality of this highly prestigious contract. A trusted supply chain can demonstrate at all stages of a project that project specifications are adhered to. That’s not to say that alternative options shouldn’t be considered, but it is essential that standards of workmanship are high. This is why skills and competence are critical ingredients for specialists. Without confidence in the supply chain, occupiers and owners will question the value of investing. Delivering a sustainable pipeline of skills (see page 20) to satisfy continuing demand is vital for all of our futures. Skills development and the future was an integral part of the FIS annual conference (see page 18). FIS is committed to raising standards across a range of issues affecting safety, performance and skills development, and the association has been particularly successful with boosting awareness and understanding about careers in the finishes and interiors sector. We now need real action to transform the energy of more awareness into quantifiable skilled resources that deliver a new generation. Let’s not make it too complicated to do so; just keep it simple.
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The age of austerity is undead It has been an interesting first few weeks at the FIS and I’d like to thank everybody who has welcomed me, opened their doors, made contact, and given me their thoughts on the sector, the future and how FIS can best help. UK Construction Week was a cracking way to really start to open up the debate. Uncertainty and the economic backdrop are at the fore of most conversations. Whilst the immediate pipeline looks good, we have started to see a bit of a tightening in the commercial sector and in education and health (some of this still stalled from the Carillion collapse). This has varied regionally and been offset by growth in, particularly, private housing, but broadly speaking, I’m expecting that we will be fairly flat over the next period, unless something gives. In the coming weeks, there are two pivotal events that will determine how the future will play out. Firstly, the Brexit negotiations will feature a political declaration about the future relationship between the UK and Europe. As the talks unfold, we may have more clarity, but (and I hope that I am wrong) I suspect that this will not be a clear pathway and that wrangling and posturing will continue through to March, if not at an EU level, then within our own parliament. We also have the Budget and this is where we should be focusing more of our attention – it’s sure to have the bigger and faster impact in the short term. So, what am I expecting from Mr Hammond? Well, firstly, as the Prime Minister trailed in her conference speech, after a decade of Austerity, the purse strings will be released. Before we get too excited and announce Austerity is Dead, in this age of uncertainty, I’m not expecting to see wholesale reform. I suspect Austerity will continue, but in a new form – Austerity will be more Undead. This is a very political Budget; we normally get these when an election is due. Whilst an election in the next 12 months isn’t impossible, this is more to do with the current government working hard to remain popular with itself, let alone the rest of us! The NHS
was a focal point of the Brexit debate and it can be no surprise that the NHS will be a big beneficiary of any easing. My hope is that this won’t all be clinical and procedural, but that we’ll see some investment in the building stock and infrastructure. I am hoping for more of a focus on direct investment in housing too. It just can’t be right that 30 years ago, for every £100 we spent on housing, £80 was invested in bricks and mortar and £20 was spent on housing benefit. Today, for every £100 we spend on housing, just £5 is invested in bricks and mortar and £95 goes on housing benefit. We also have some tough decisions to make about how we will address the very real safety concerns that exist in many Houses in Multiple Occupation. If I was to continue with my wish list, it is about time we start to see real investment in existing schools, not just to fix the roof, but to start to unlock the potential of our learning institutions. If we want world-class people, we need to look beyond old-fashioned classrooms and create world-class learning environments: the right backdrop to inspire, classrooms at the right temperature, set out for all and so that all can hear. In terms of business conditions, there is mooted to be a sting on the digital sector. I can’t see much upcoming for us and don’t expect that Mr Hammond will be taking on a long overdue haul of business rates, employment issues or VAT; the best we can hope for is the continuation of a freeze on fuel duty. So, as political rumours abound, one that tickled me is that the Budget had to be pulled forward (due to the Brexit issues) and was planned for the last Wednesday in October (Budgets are normally on the Wednesday). Our ever-astute political masters realised, however, that this would be Halloween and the press would have a field day with all the puns. Do you see what I did there! IAIN MCILWEE Chief executive Finishes and Interiors Sector
VIEWPOINT
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The role of the distributor Distributors have long been a part of our industry. But how well do they work as part of the supply chain? Jason Hemingway from Nevill Long examines the important role they play. Many people still think of distributors as simply middlemen, a go-between linking contractors with manufacturers to sell them products. But actually their role goes a lot deeper – and is a lot more valuable – than that. Distributors are always thinking in terms of ‘the project’. In fact, it’s at the heart of what we as distributors do. A good distributor will take time to understand the dynamics of a specific project, and foresee any issues or bottlenecks that are likely to occur. They’ll also take the
time to understand a client’s overall strategy, in terms of what they’re looking to achieve, how they want to achieve it and when. For those reasons, distributors should be very technically proficient, and have a great deal of specialist knowledge in their particular sector – and they’re in an ideal position to keep up to date with the latest manufacturer developments. Understanding the legal and technical requirements is a crucial factor too, and clients should be able to rely on their
THE
advice with regard to both. Essentially, a distributor’s role should be to put the customer in the driving seat. We’re here to give contractors the materials and tools needed, together with the knowledge and support to make the most of them. Distributors appreciate it’s a competitive market out there and know that we need to bring added value. Like being more agile in responding to clients’ needs, constantly looking to innovate, operating more efficiently and
encouraging new ideas, however unusual, that might make a difference to their customers. After all, distributors can’t afford to take their customers for granted – because they always have a choice. JASON HEMINGWAY Regional sales director (North) Nevill Long www.nevilllong.co.uk
RANGE GOES
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PRODUCTS
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Photo credit Philip Vile.
SAS mesh ceilings provide versatility and visual interest Mesh ceiling panels from SAS International provide specifiers with a contemporary and versatile ceiling solution that’s in keeping with the current desire for a modern industrial style. Compatible with multiple SAS International systems, the mesh ceiling range consists of designs including Celtic, Tene, Brig, Tara, Kells and Vix – each offering diamond or hexagonal patterns in varying sizes as standard and all available in the full range of RAL colours. Bespoke designs can be created, enabling the designs to be tailored to complex building layouts. Mesh is ideal for smoke extraction due to its high open area and can be integrated with M&E services such as sprinklers and lighting. SAS International mesh panels are compatible with SAS130, SAS200, SAS205, SAS320, SAS330 and SAS600 raft ceiling systems. www.sasintgroup.com
MEDITE gets close to nature MEDITE products have been used to create a wildlife garden at a Derbyshire school designed by not-for-profit social enterprise Green Future Building, which helps young people gain employment in the sustainable construction industry. The Margaret Baxter Wildlife Garden at the Lakeside School was created as part of an education and design programme to encourage children’s learning of the natural world. Alongside a wildflower meadow and wetland habitat, a bespoke bird hide and hedgehog-friendly fencing with tailormade wildlife cut-outs were built – both extensively feature MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX) and MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF. The 7m x 4m hide used 30 sheets of MTX and can allow an entire class of children to observe the wildlife. MTX is acetylated MDF, guaranteed to last up to 25 years where in contact with soil, such as where it meets the ground, and up to 50 years elsewhere, in all outdoor weathers. Twenty-eight sheets of MEDITE PREMIER FR were also used – a flameretardant MDF panel offering fire protection – to line the inside of the walls. www.mdfosb.com
Fire resistant ceilings from OWA School fires have been in the news again following the recent blaze at Roding Primary School in Dagenham in which a large part of the building was destroyed. A fire in any sector draws attention to the importance of installing fire resistant ceilings, and German ceilings manufacturer OWA ceilings provides details and guidance on system selection in its new information booklet (email technical@owa-ceilings.co.uk to request a copy). OWA highlights that, according to Building Bulletin 100 (BB100), around one in 20 schools experiences a fire each year with arson cited as the cause in over 60 per cent of cases. In secondary schools, the average cost of a fire is around £100,000 (source: CLG Research Bulletin No. 10 – Survey of School Fires 2006). BB100 emphasises the importance of protecting both the fabric of the building and life safety. Recent research by OWA has resulted in fire resistant ceiling systems that perform exceptionally well in fire situations with 60 minutes of fire protection being achieved by OWAcoustic fire resistant ceilings. www.owa-ceilings.com
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New Versapanel delivers A2 fire performance Building board specialist Euroform has enhanced its range of Versapanel cement particle boards with the addition of A2 Versapanel with Euroclass A2 certification according to BS EN 13501-1. Euroclass A2 certification confirms that the new board’s high-mass, robust exterior lining is of limited combustibility when exposed to fire conditions. Versapanel is long established, proven to perform acoustically and delivers exceptional performance in the presence of moisture as cut edges do not require sealing to prevent degradation. In recognition of the need for a product that can assist with a simplified route to BR 135 compliance, Euroform developed A2 Versapanel, which, compared with standard Versapanel, delivers superior pull-out resistance, with comparative tests demonstrating a marked improvement on an already very good performance. It also helps to improve the air tightness of facades when sealed at joints. A wide range of finishes can be applied over the new board, including insulated render systems, terracotta cladding systems, high-performance cladding systems and traditional brick coursework. www.euroform.co.uk
06 Advertising 01926 420660
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Dependability. It’s in our nature. Could anything be more loyal and reliable than a man’s best friend? Only Nevill Long, perhaps. That’s because not only can you depend on us to stock whatever you need for interiors – from ceilings, drywall and partitions to facades, floors and finishes – you can also rely on us for any expert advice you need to make sure of a first class job. Making Nevill Long the Distributor of Choice... naturally.
For your nearest Nevill Long branch visit nevilllong.co.uk
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Wondertex provides Pristine results in County Derry
The ultimate test for ThistlePro DuraFinish British Gypsum’s ThistlePro DuraFinish skimming plaster is playing a significant role in protecting the walls from accidental damage at a new sensory room facility for charity organisation Autism Isolation No More. Plasterer and charity volunteer Aaron Pearson, from Titanium Plastering, took responsibility for the internal finishes and installation of all equipment at the new sensory room, in Fareham. ThistlePro DuraFinish creates a plaster skim finish that is proven to provide significantly increased resistance to accidental damage when compared with a regular plaster. Moreover, it can be used on plasterboard or undercoat plasters, or for re-plastering and repair work on previously finished walls. Mr Pearson said: “It is the ideal testing environment for the plaster’s durability because the children are constantly running around, throwing toys against the walls and really testing its strength. “We needed a plaster finish that would stand the test of time. The added benefit of installing DuraFinish is that it provides a smooth finish and is so easy to work with.”
Londonderry-based Pristine Drylining has used Wondertex prem filler and prem finish to complete a number of residential projects throughout County Derry. The team of contractors used prem filler and prem finish on plasterboard walls throughout the detached and semidetached properties, on a typical week, working on areas up to 1200m². Before applying prem filler and prem finish, the team prepared the plasterboard walls using Wondertex Metal Angle Tape – a specialist jointing tape designed to create precise and robust corner joints. Available in 30m rolls, the tape can be cut to exact requirements, eliminating waste. To bed and fill the Metal Angle Tape, Pristine Drylining used prem filler, a plaster-based compound developed to provide the strength needed on external corners. Wondertex prem filler’s perfect partner is prem finish, a plasterboard finishing compound that’s easy to apply and provides a seamless feathered finish for easy and professional over painting.
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Combining the known and proven advantages of cement bonded particle board with the added benefit of Euroclass “A2” reaction to fire. Exceptional performance in the presence of moisture when compared with exterior gypsum boards as cut edges do not require sealing to prevent degradation. •
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A high mass, robust exterior lining to optimise acoustic performance of the building envelope and there is no time limit of exposure before covering with other elements of the façade Offers superior mechanical performance compared with exterior gypsum boards Helps improve the air tightness of façades when sealed at any joints CE marked according to BS EN 13986:2004+A1:2015 Independently tested as A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire according to BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 Can be provided in a pre-fabricated kit to reduce site works Available as 2400mm x 1200mm boards in either 10mm or 12mm thickness A wide range of systems may be applied over A2 Versapanel® including: - Approved insulated render systems - Terracotta cladding systems - High performance cladding systems - Traditional brick coursework
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www.euroform.co.uk This advert is a general guide and specific advice is recommended before proceeding with any transaction. Full technical information available from your local office.
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PRODUCTS
MDF? Outside? In the Rain? For 50 years? Are you MAD?
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MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is a revolutionary product that will take the construction, landscaping and exterior design worlds by storm. Guaranteed for up to 50 years in the face of the elements, this naturally modified MDF is incredibly versatile and can be used for planters, garden rooms, sculptures, playgrounds, building faรงades, furniture; you name it, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME can do it!
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TECHNICAL www.specfinish.co.uk
Compliance: third party certification In this follow-up article to September’s look at performance certification, warranty and compliance statements, FIS technical director Joe Cilia puts some questions to Brian Moore, operations director and deputy chief executive officer at the BBA.
‘without-notice’ regime; or a wholly ‘with-notice’ approach on the principle of ‘earned autonomy’. Another approach adopted by the BBA is its Product Excellence Programme (PEP), where BBA auditors take samples of available products from a manufacturing location and subject them to comparative tests against the original specification. Any proactive testing is a positive step and welcomed by many manufacturers that see it as entirely compatible with the direction commended by Dame Judith Hackitt in her Independent Review.
And what about the cost?
As the former US deputy attorney general Paul McNulty put it, “If you think compliance is expensive, you should try non-compliance.” To use a health analogy, as with cholesterol, too much compliance is bad for you, but you need just enough of the right kind to stay healthy. And we all want a healthy construction product sector. At the time of writing, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is consulting with the industry on a revision to its Plan of Work, which is used as the definitive UK model for the building, design and construction process. The proposed process map and associated deliverables list enables a golden thread of fire a recipe or even mixing fixing types are The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is the safety information from the point at which a serious if there is no test report validating the UK’s leading construction products certification building project is identified through to the modified product or system from its original body, providing approval, certification, audit and ongoing management of the building. The draft test evidence. Add to that the potential for inspection, alongside expert test services, to RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety includes: manufacturers of building products and systems. change during the procurement stage from • a new statutory process based on Hackitt manufacture to site and you get a very complex The BBA’s purpose is to provide reassurance Review recommendations set of risk factors that, in most cases, would to architects, specifiers, insurers, members • fire safety roles by work stage affect the warranty or guarantee, but certainly of the public and regulators of construction • rigorous review and sign-off procedures by the third party certification. For these reasons, products and systems, and to encourage the the client team, design team and construction our certified clients know how rigorous this safe development and adoption of innovative team process needs to be. construction solutions. • CDM 2015-style duty holders Problems can also arise at the procurement • key deliverables by role and stage Why is compliance such a hot topic? stage, where products are specified but BBA research, gleaned from a variety of subsequently changed and ‘equivalent and It is clear that fire safety is paramount, and sources, suggests that the delivery team are approved’ is misinterpreted as ‘similar or that clear evidence of compliancy will be a taking a closer interest in compliance from approved’ as stakeholders seek to constrain pre-requisite at every stage, including design, both a research and operational perspective. costs and protect profit margins. Removing an specification, procurement, installation and Consequently, tier 1 contractors and clients element, such as a layer of insulation, will also ongoing maintenance. So, is third party are now employing specialists to ensure invalidate third party certification. certification the answer for products? And that compliance is happening and can be What does the BBA suggest? what about for installers? This is a changing demonstrated at all stages of a project. The BBA suggests that manufacturers and landscape, and one where change will bring What is the major concern? system suppliers help specialist contractors to opportunity and risk alike. Our advice at FIS? Product substitution. The BBA takes substitution meet their compliance requirements by taking Check, ask and check again. Never assume and seriously as it can have a major impact on an intelligence-led approach; this means taking always ask for evidence. the performance of a product or system. Our into account audit history, complaints, relevant technical assessment experts examine products information received as well as the type of FIND OUT MORE at every stage, from materials sourcing to product under review. This view of audit risk JOE CILIA manufacturing to installation on-site. could lead to a variety of audit types: ‘without FIS technical director Replacing a component or product, changing notice’ in high-risk cases; a ‘with-notice’ and joecilia@thefis.org 10 Advertising 01926 420660
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www.specfinish.co.uk 11
FEATURE
FINISHES
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Turning ideas into reality
Demand for finishing products and accessories remains strong but there are concerns that outside of the residential sector, commercial and retail activity are weaker. Nonetheless, what is clear is the role finishes play in meeting interior design demands of the highest standards, as Adrian JG Marsh reports.
The internal finishes at TVC – the redeveloped BBC Television Centre in West London – were an integral part of the works.
“Building owners still like traditional finishes,” said Paul Cassidy from British Gypsum. “We introduced a new ThistlePro range aimed at specifiers looking for more than just a flat wall finish and with different benefits. “ThistlePro DuraFinish is 60 per cent harder so it’s ideally suited to corridors in high-traffic areas. PureFinish is a skim finish plaster that removes formaldehyde (a common VOC) from the air, making indoor space healthier. And the innovative Magnetic plaster is popular in offices and schools for creating a feature wall.” In the housing market, finishing preferences have not changed and traditional skills still dominate. “Clients like their walls skim finished with a full surface coverage and jointing where they don’t need a high-class finish,” added Mr Cassidy. 12 Advertising 01926 420660
Whether to plaster or not to plaster has been an ongoing debate since wall systems began to replace timber and masonry as the principal fit-out material for internal walls. Fashion has seen plaster retain its lead position but quality improvements in taping and jointing mean landlords and developers now have another option. “The quality of tapers and jointers has continued to improve in recent years and the quality is as good as any finish,” said Peter Baker from Stanmore Contractors. Stanmore is a major part of the supply chain, working on some very large residential schemes for the likes of Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Homes and Lendlease. Mr Baker continued: “There have not been too many revolutions in the wall finishing sector. Currently, around 90 per
cent of all our finishing is tape and jointed. It’s a choice that does have regional variations and tends to be price-driven.” There is a slow but growing trend towards adopting sprayapplied finishing, which claims to offer advantages around reducing waste and increasing speed, efficiency and quality. Mr Cassidy said: “Spray plaster favours big commercial plots where there are productivity benefits to be gained. We look at how products are applied and there are plenty of techniques to spray-apply Gypsum plasters.” David Wilson from Portsmouthbased Gypsum Plasterers said: “We either tape and joint or skim plaster, but we’ve looked at spray-applied and just don’t see it as viable on most projects. But we’re being approached more to consider it.” Beissier’s Aaron Barbeau has seen their Bagar Airliss sprayapplied product range prove popular, especially on hotel and residential contracts. He said: “We’ve had a lot of interest from trade contractors, especially drylining, painting and decorating, and fit-out specialists. “They’ve found they can relatively easily use spray plasters to apply skim finishes. Where skilled plasterers are in short supply, bringing these skills in-house gives them greater control of work and reduces risks, especially where contracts are fast moving.” But there is no substitute for quality finishes in high-end residential work. The redevelopment of the iconic BBC Television Centre
(TVC) in West London was unveiled earlier this year. Paul Monaghan, of architects AHMM, told the Evening Standard: “The Television Centre building was very important to people, so we didnʼt want to spoil the feel of it. “Part of our idea is that the buildings should blend so well, people shouldn’t know if they’re in the old or the new.” The developers said they had tried to maintain the original feel of the historic site and tried to use some of its famous features in their design. Internal finishes have formed an integral part of the works. Measom Dryline undertook the drylining and ceilings packages throughout the residential phases, delivering meticulously high finishes with the required fire, acoustic and aesthetic performance. Phillip Lee, Measom’s project manager, said: “A key feature of TVC is the iconic curved corridors and bulkheads. This visually impressive feature was challenging to install due to the seamless finish required and the need to set out and form openings for the lights on the radius of the wall. “The light fittings can be fully recessed within the ceiling or ‘popped out’ and used directionally. To achieve the clean plaster hairline finish, each of these circular lights had to be carefully plastered around as opposed to being housed in a plastic casing.” The challenge and technical difficulty at TVC highlights the critical role that finishing contractors play in making interior design concepts a reality.
The former BBC Television Centreʼs iconic curve proved challenging for Measom while undertaking the drylining and ceilings package.
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FEATURE
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HEALTH & SAFETY
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MSDs are bad for your business Are you doing enough to prevent musculoskeletal disorders? Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a serious long-term health issue for your employees – are you doing enough to protect them? Although well-intentioned, many workplace risk assessments only address visible dangers such as trip or fall hazards. But a properly balanced risk assessment also acknowledges, and protects against, health issues. Among the most common – and frequently overlooked – health issues are musculoskeletal disorders. MSDs should be of serious concern to employers because they are present in virtually all industries – not just construction.
What are MSDs?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a musculoskeletal disorder is classed as “pain and disorders caused by the work a person does”. This pain can occur in the neck, shoulders and arms (upper limbs); the hips, knees, and ankles and feet (lower limbs); the back; and even the eyes. MSD is a catch-all term for several disorders that include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, muscle strains, herniated disc, eye strain and many more. These conditions can be caused by repetitive motion, which is why office workers using keyboards are at just as much risk as construction workers using pneumatic drills. An MSD develops when a worker is exposed to risk factors for too long, resulting in fatigue. If the body does not have sufficient time to recover between exposure to risk factors, the fatigue develops into a full-blown disorder.
workers affected by MSDs are more likely to take time off, or to register reduced productivity or output. Put simply, MSDs are bad for business.
How can you protect your workforce against MSDs?
MSDs are caused by a combination of ergonomic risk factors and individual risk factors. Ergonomic risk factors are common to all workers and are typically related to force (like vibrations, pressure or heavy lifting), repetition (making the same motion over and over again) and posture (such as how someone sits at a desk). Ask yourself a series of questions as you carry out a risk assessment to address these factors: • Will the worker have to make the same motions repeatedly? More than once every 30 seconds? If so, the worker is at risk of developing a repetitive strain injury. • Will the worker be required to lift heavy weights such as plasterboard regularly? If so, they are more susceptible to fatigue – the starting point for MSDs. • Will the employee be expected to adopt an awkward posture as they work? Unnatural postures place additional strain on joints, tendons and muscles, leading to increased fatigue.
Whenever you notice these factors in play, you must take steps to minimise them. You should also give employees sufficient rest breaks to allow them to recover and reduce fatigue. Be aware that each individual reacts differently to these factors. Why do MSDs matter? Ensure that your assessment looks at risk factors on a personal level, Musculoskeletal disorders are important because they are wholly as well as those common to all workers. Remember, MSDs are preventable. Being common does not make them an inevitable aspect wholly preventable and you have a duty to your employees to of your employees’ working lives. protect them. Equally important is the fact that
Individual risk factors are equally common to all workers. Certain factors inherent in work tasks that can increase the risk for the onset of MSDs, and that workers need to be aware of, are: • Body positions – maintaining a constrained posture for too long at a time can be uncomfortable and painful. • Fast-turnaround work activities when the pressure is on to complete a task quicker than normal. • Sudden movement with hands or torso, including repetitious movements. • Slouching positions – being
slumped against the back support of a chair compresses the spine and can lead to lower back pain. • An individual’s state of mind, along with poor fitness, health, lifestyle and work habits, are all factors to be aware of. To learn more about preventing MSDs and improving the standard of your risk assessments, you can get in touch with Veritas Consulting. FIND OUT MORE DAVID CANT Veritas Consulting www.veritas-consulting.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 15
LEGAL
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Immigration after Brexit – the impact on the construction sector In August, the CBI set out its proposed approach to immigration after Brexit in a report entitled Open and Controlled – A New Approach to Immigration After Brexit. Simon Lewis, a partner in the Construction and Engineering team at Womble Bond Dickinson, provides a useful summary of the main findings. The report published by the CBI (www.cbi.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/ open-and-controlled) notes that immigration has delivered significant economic benefit to the UK over the last 50 years but has also given rise to public concern about the pressure it creates on public services and society. Consequently, post-Brexit free movement of people will not continue on the same terms as it has been in the past. The UK immigration system must, however, remain sufficiently open to support the UK economy but with enough control to rebuild public trust and confidence. As the report states bluntly, the stakes are very high: if the reformed system does not work, the UK risks having too few people to run the health service, pick food crops, deliver products to stores around the country and, in the case of construction, build the houses and the infrastructure that we need. The main findings of the Open and Controlled – A New Approach to Immigration After Brexit report are as follows: • Immigration is valuable to all sectors of the UK economy and delivers a significant economic benefit. • Most business sectors require a combination of skill levels and are inter-linked through supply chains, so a whole economy approach is required. • Mobility is as important as migration, particularly for the UK economy where services play a vital role. This is about easy movement of staff across Europe, often at short notice, which is an integral part of many firms’ business models. • The current non-EU immigration system is inaccessible for most firms and is not the solution for EU nationals. The current constraints on the non-EU immigration system are harming the UK economy so simply applying this or a similar system to EU citizens would not work. • Businesses recognise that free movement is coming to an end and want to restore public trust in immigration. Consequently, the CBI’s recommendations seek to address these issues. They suggest the following: • Build public trust in the UK immigration system by shifting away from controlling numbers to assessing contribution and by investing in local public services where demand has been increased by migration. • Reform the UK’s non-EU immigration system so that firms can better access people and skills from around the world, not just the EU. • Recognise the strong links between people and trade as the UK forges new economic relationships. This will involve negotiating the simplest 16 Advertising 01926 420660
possible travel arrangements for all British and European citizens to avoid lengthy border delays at sea and airports after Brexit. • Replace free movement with a new open and controlled immigration system for EU citizens. • Ensure that the transition to any new migration system is done with respect for people and in an orderly manner. It will be necessary to legally guarantee the rights of EU citizens already in the UK even in the event of a ‘no-deal’ scenario which, at the time of writing, appears to be increasingly likely.
The construction impact
From the point of view of construction, the migration issue is very significant. Half of London’s construction workforce are not from the UK. Without international labour, the UK cannot build enough new homes and deliver on critical infrastructure projects. This becomes very clear when the goals set out in the National Infrastructure Assessment of July 2018 are considered. This report sets out ambitious infrastructure development programmes vital to the UK’s continuing development and position in the world economy, but very little of this will come to pass if we do not have the skills and labour available. It is simply not possible for the UK to function without some form of open but controlled immigration system. There is no doubt that however the UK develops after Brexit, it will have to rely upon EU and non-EU workers and freedom of movement across borders in order to continue to function at anything like the level that it has been in the past. Quite how we get there, however, seems at the moment to be as unclear as ever.
SFS
LEGAL www.thefis.org
Sector Hot Topic: Relevant Matters Under the JCT suite of contracts, a Relevant Matter is a matter for which the employer is responsible that materially affects the progress of the works and may entitle the contractor to make a financial claim for the direct loss and/or expense that it has incurred. Kara Price, a solicitor within Womble Bond Dickinson’s specialist construction team, gives some pointers. A contractor can often claim loss and/or expense at the same time as an extension of time. The Hot Topics article in September on ‘Relevant Events’ dealt with extensions of time. For the contractor to prove the direct loss and/or expense it has suffered, it must show: 1. That it is entitled to claim additional costs under the terms of the contract; and 2. That the employer has breached the contract. Relevant Matters may include: • Failure to give the contractor possession of the site; • Failure to give the contractor access to and from the site; • Delays in receiving instructions; • Failure by the employer to supply goods and/or materials; and • Disruption caused by work carried out by the employer. Prudent employers will often amend or delete Relevant Matter provisions to limit the contractor’s entitlement to claim direct loss and/or expense, for example by: 1. Deleting the entitlement to any loss and/or expense for the discovery of any antiquities; or 2. Amending the contract to ensure no entitlement for loss and/or expense
for the contractor’s own error, omission, negligence, breach or default on behalf of the contractor or any contractor’s persons. Ordinarily, a subcontract will mirror the terms of the main building contract or contain a deemed awareness provision so that any employer amendments or deletions will be passed down the supply chain.
Important tips
• Review the contract – have any amendments been made which could limit your ability to claim for direct loss and/or expense? • Review the contract mechanisms in respect of notification of a Relevant Matter. • Ensure you have a good record-keeping system – if a claim is made, an assessment of the loss and/or expense already incurred and any further amounts likely to be incurred will be required. FIS members requiring assistance with this topic can contact Philippa Jones through the FIS Legal Helpline. FIND OUT MORE kara.price@wbd-uk.com 0191 230 8860
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FIS CONFERENCE
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FIS Conference 2018: Growing Your Business in a Changing Market Delegates at the annual FIS Conference, held at Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club in Manchester this month, experienced a packed agenda including keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshop sessions around the important theme Growing Your Business in a Changing Market. The next 12 months are going to be challenging as the fallout from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the collapse of Carillion and Brexit continue to impact on the finishes and interiors sector. The FIS Conference provided an ideal platform for FIS members to exchange views and experiences and debate how these factors are driving change within the sector and how these changes might impact their businesses. FIS president Andrew Smith welcomed delegates and explained how FIS is committed to raising standards across a range of issues affecting safety, performance and skills development. FIS has been particularly successful with boosting awareness and understanding about careers in the finishes and interiors sector and it is driving a campaign to increase skills competence and attract new entrants in the sector. Iain McIlwee, FIS chief executive, then set the scene for an informative and engaging Conference programme. A key part of this programme were six interactive workshop sessions providing delegates with best practice guidance and advice to support their businesses in a challenging and changing market. These breakout sessions covered Technical, Skills and Community themes, with delegates attending two from the six available.
Technology in Construction Workshop 1 Paper to Data: How to maximise technology to deliver more profitable projects Speakers: Barry Chapman and Sarah Crawford, Chalkstring; Richard Hulbert, Trappco; and Joe Cilia, FIS technical director FIS members learnt more about how technology can support both successful project delivery and business management. The workshop simplified jargon while exploring how digital working can improve efficiency and compliance, reduce waste and increase profitability, with a focus on helping delegates establish how technology could work better for them. It also explored the biggest pitfalls subcontractors can experience when going digital, detailing what to avoid when considering new software solutions and implementing new processes, and which software is right for which type of business, incorporating a high-level review of solutions available to subcontractors. 18 Advertising 01926 420660
Technology in Construction Workshop 2 Product, Process, People (PPP): A focus on competency and compliance Speakers: Paul Nagle, Donseed; Michael Saunders, Re-flow; and Joe Cilia, FIS technical director The strategic Product, Process, People (PPP) initiative has been developed by FIS over the last 12 months to address Dame Judith Hackitt’s comments regarding a lack of evidence of what is being built, a lack of compliance and a lack of competency of construction sector operatives. FIS members were shown how this process could be integrated into existing management software to help the fit-out sector take control of its asset management, process controls and compliance. The session also included an understanding of how to use software to record operatives’ training and qualifications against individual projects while managing the workforce.
FIS Skills Workshop 1 How to maximise your CITB and Apprenticeship Levy Speakers: Michael Lennox, CITB; Helen Yeulet, FIS skills delivery director; and Amanda Scott, FIS sector skills engagement manager Delegates were briefed about the new CITB Grants Scheme and the Apprenticeship Levy. Following a change of rules in April 2018, this workshop helped FIS members to navigate the new Training Directory and the new ways that claims are now made. The workshop also identified how FIS members could maximise their Apprenticeship Levy and make it work for their business.
FIS Skills Workshop 2 How to get your return on investment on apprenticeships Speakers: Jill Nicholls, Institute for Apprenticeships, and Helen Yeulet, FIS skills delivery director The FIS skills team explored the benefits for FIS members of taking on apprentices, in terms of both the positive impact on their business and the opportunity to future-proof their workforce. Delegates were also provided with an overview of the help and support available to them as employers to enable them to get the most out of taking on apprentices. This included information on funding, training and qualification grants available from the CITB and the Apprenticeship Levy to help with supporting and qualifying apprentices.
FIS CONFERENCE
www.thefis.org
FIS Community Workshop 1 Ways to increase your profit in just one hour Speakers: Maria Coulter, Construction Coach, and Iain McIlwee, FIS chief executive This workshop focused on improving business performance. The interactive session encouraged delegates to set clear objectives: whether they wanted to grow or stay the same size; whether they wanted a better lifestyle for them and their families; and whether they have business areas that are wasting time and money but they aren’t sure how to tackle. This session helped to provide clarity and an action plan for businesses on how to move forward, improve profits and work towards having the lifestyle and balance they wanted.
FIS Community Workshop 2 Strategies to drive demand and increase sales Speakers: Dave Rainbow, Results Agency, and Iain McIlwee, FIS chief executive During this workshop, delegates explored the topics of developing new business, lead creation, conversion and demand generation, focusing on the foundations of what businesses should consider before embarking on any marketing/sales activity and making sure objectives are aligned to any activity being undertaken. One key area of this workshop was helping delegates to select the correct tools with which to execute their strategy, with real examples given along with key tactics for them to employ in their organisations.
FIS chief executive Iain McIlwee concluded the Conference with a specially designed Room 101 Debate looking at the future of the finishes and interiors sector.
EVENT SPONSORS
FIS updated Conference attendees on many initiatives helping to provide solutions to the sector’s skills shortage. These include Project Futures, a three-year youth engagement apprenticeship programme in collaboration with FIS and Stortford Interiors.
FIS announces new Board members FIS elected three new members to the Board and re-elected one at its annual elections held at the AGM. Will Hart, Taylor Hart, and Richard Jones, Paramount Office Interiors, were newly elected as contractor members, with Jonathan Riley, Locker & Riley (Fibrous Plastering), re-elected as a contractor member. Alan Brown, Forza Doors, was newly elected as a supplier member.
FIS is governed by its elected Board of Directors, which sets its policy and direction. The full FIS board comprises Andrew Smith, OWA (UK) (president); Deborah Gore, Encon; Noel Healy, SIG; Nigel Morrey, Etex Building Performance; and Alan Brown, Forza Doors (all supplier members); and Helen Tapper, Tapper Interiors (vice president); Steve Coley, Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions; Philip Brown, Meronden; Jim Nania, Stortford Interiors; Jonathan Riley, Locker & Riley (Fibrous Plastering); Will Hart, Taylor Hart; and Richard Jones, Paramount Office Interiors (all contractor members). www.specfinish.co.uk 19
SKILLS & TRAINING
www.specfinish.co.uk
Training – profit or loss? As the often-quoted advice from Richard Branson goes, “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to”. But is this really relevant in the fit-out sector? With an increasing skills gap and an uncertain market where training has always been last on the agenda, who can justify this cost to the bottom line? FIS skills delivery director Helen Yeulet highlights how the FIS Training Needs Analysis 2018 provides some interesting thoughts on this question. Fit-out is still predominately a subcontracted workforce, although there does appear to be a trend towards direct employment, evidenced by a 5 per cent increase in PAYE. This could be driven by the recent well-publicised decisions regarding Uber workers and the emergence of more zero hours contracts, perhaps, or by a desire to secure skilled workers ahead of the further insecurity threatened by Brexit. As 94 per cent of respondents to the FIS Training Needs Analysis 2018 (TNA 2018) declared a need for skilled site labour, this can only lead to increased competition for the limited skilled labour available. The biggest question must be whether specialist contractors can afford to keep increasing their rates on each job well after they’ve won the bid, just to keep on track and escape final penalties for delay. Training and upskilling workers is not seen as an essential part of construction, unless mandated through health and safety, a framework or a Section 106 obligation. The sector still has a heavy reliance on non-UK labour, with over 56 per cent of respondents employing from Eastern Europe and beyond. These numbers are decreasing, but with current UK unemployment levels at 4 per cent (ONS: May to July 2018), the lowest since 1971, where are the future skilled workers coming from unless we attract them into the industry from a young age? Many of the trends outlined in 20 Advertising 01926 420660
the most recent Training Needs Analysis of FIS members should be a strong driver towards this thought process, with the TNA 2018 revealing that 40.5 per cent of the workforce are over 40, only 8 per cent are under the age of 24 and only 3 per cent of workers are apprentices. These figures must ring alarm bells for anyone looking to be confident that they can deliver on-site – and with the profit line they anticipate – moving into that post-Brexit world.
Wider social benefits
Social value is becoming an increasingly enforced requirement for contracts. British Land, one of the largest property development and investment companies in the UK, has made a very clear declaration that all of its sites will have 3 per cent apprentices by 2020. And the company is clearly
“We want to see public services delivered with values at their heart, where the wider social benefits matter and are recognised,” Mr Lidington said. “That means government doing more to create and nurture vibrant, healthy, innovative, competitive and diverse marketplaces of suppliers that include and encourage small businesses, mutuals, charities, co-operatives and social enterprises – and therefore harness the finest talent from across the public, monitoring those delivering on this private and voluntary sectors.” So, apprentice to ensure there are no ‘best employment, retraining endeavours’ – this is and upskilling a real contractual unemployed requirement. The sector people, or Earlier this still has a heavy providing year, David work reliance on non-UK Lidington, placements Minister for labour, with over 56 the Cabinet per cent of respondents might actually help Office and employing from business Chancellor to be won. of the Duchy Eastern Europe and The FIS skills of Lancaster, beyond. team can help committed contractors to to using more secure this position voluntary sector in their business. To find out organisations to deliver public more, get in touch and let FIS turn services with plans to amend the a problem around – and prove Social Value Act, so that all major how this can become a return on procurements will now have to investment, not a loss to business. “explicitly evaluate” benefits. The move is a direct attempt to rebuild trust following the collapse FIND OUT MORE skills@thefis.org of Carillion.
FIS surveyed its members and stakeholders within the fit-out and finishes sector of the construction industry in Q1 2018. The Training Needs Analysis 2018 (TNA 2018) revealed the 'State of Play', with red indicating a fall and green indicating an increase/rise. See the full TNA 2018 infographic and complete the latest sector-wide digital Training Needs Analysis for 2019 at www.thefis.org/skills-hub
FIS SCOTTISH AWARDS www.thefis.org
FIS reveals Scottish Awards winners… FIS held its annual Scottish Awards Lunch in September at the Trades Hall of Glasgow where award winners were presented before a sell-out audience. In the Suspended Ceilings category, sponsored by Nevill Long, Brian Hendry Interiors took Gold for its work at the Hawkhead Care Home in Renfrewshire, with Carter Ceilings taking Silver for its installation at Kelvinbridge Subway Station, Glasgow. It was Linear Projects that received the Partial Fit Out Gold for its project with the Macallan Distillery and Visitor Centre in Craigellachie. Brian Hendry Interiors picked up Silver for its work at Holy Trinity Primary School in Glasgow. In the Interior Fit Out category, Gold went to Veitchi Interiors for a variety of works at Anderson High School and Halls of Residence, on the Shetland Isles, with Scotwood Interiors taking Silver for its fit-out works at LifeArc in Edinburgh. Highly Commended in this category went to Worksmart Contracts for a complete summer refurbishment at Ayrshire College, Ayr Campus. Worksmart Contracts also took Partitioning Gold for its work at Edrington Group Head Office,
Glasgow. And in the same category, Planet Partitioning was awarded Silver for its acoustic partitioning at Edinburgh-based Cirrus Logic. In the Plasterwork category, Gold (the only award) went to Ryedale Interiors for its impressive GRG installation at SOAR The Intu Centre in Braehead. With Drywall Construction, it was Brian Hendry Interiors that took Gold (again the only award) for its project for Holy Trinity Primary School – the second award for the contract at this purpose-built primary. Minster sponsored this year’s Judges’ Award. Gold went to Veitchi Interiors for its contract to design and build a 420-bedroom student
development for the University of Glasgow on Kelvinhaugh Street. And Clansman Interiors took Silver for the demolition and rebuilding of the now-modern toilet facility at Prestwick Airport. Brian Hendry Interiors wrapped up a very successful Scottish Awards with the company’s apprentice ceiling fixer Robbie Sproul named Apprentice of the Year. Lunch sponsors were Tri-Fix Industrial Fasteners, Forza Doors and QIC Trims. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/scottish-awards-2018-winnersannounced
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FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.specfinish.co.uk
Calendar of events FIS President’s Lunch Plaisterers’ Hall, London 5 February 2019 FIS Awards Lunch Dorchester Hotel, London 4 June 2019
Welcome to new FIS members Harriman Contracting www.harrimancl.com
Complete solutions for clients all the way up to turnkey delivery.
Henly Projects
www.henlyprojects.co.uk Specialist subcontractor providing solutions in drywall partitions, suspended ceilings, acoustic treatments, glazed partitions and joinery.
Gemini Refurbishment
www.geminirefurb.com Main contractor for commercial, residential, retail, leisure and local authority in London and the South East.
Re-Flow
www.re-flow.co.uk Providers of mobile field service management software for businesses with staff working outside of the office on location.
Stortford Interiors welcomes first Project Futures apprentices Stortford Interiors and FIS gathered the industry to welcome the first wave of apprentices to kick off Project Futures in September. Embarking on a three-year mission, the first 10 apprentices have successfully been placed across major project construction sites in London. Engaging and directly addressing the UK skills shortage, Stortford Interiors will provide 80:20 on-site training at sites across central London, as well as essential classroom knowledge for the apprentices. Ensuring all apprentices receive a fair wage, they will work towards gaining an NVQ Level 2 including the opportunity for Level 3 in carpentry and joinery, drywall systems and interior systems. Courtesy of Metro Fixings, every apprentice was presented with their own essentials tool kit to set them up as a dryliner or carpenter. Apprentices will then be rewarded with additional tools as they progress through the scheme to enable them to develop without the financial burden of purchasing tools. Commenting on the first apprentices taking their places, Amanda Scott, sector skills engagement manager at FIS, said: “We’re delighted to be working in close partnership with Stortford Interiors to enable these young people to make the first step in their career.”
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FIS is seeking nominations for its Fit-Out Futures Awards, which were officially opened at the Conference. These annual awards celebrate outstanding people, inspiring training and future stars of our industry. FIS knows that its members represent the best of the best. Whether it be an employee that always goes the extra mile, someone who has made a lasting contribution to the sector, a fully committed apprentice or a future leader, FIS wants to hear from members. As in previous years, there are four award categories – Apprentice of the Year, Outstanding Employee, Future Leader and President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement. The closing date for entries is 30 November 2018. FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/membership-hub/fis-awards/fisfitoutfuturesawards
Portview styles it out with Tiffany
BW: Workplace Experts has announced its sponsorship of English National Ballet dancer Claire Barrett. Claire grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved to the UK to train with English National Ballet School. Upon graduation in 2017, Claire joined English National Ballet and has since danced with the company in productions including Nutcracker and Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring. The three-year sponsorship comes after BW managed the fit-out of English National Ballet and English National Ballet School’s new joint home in Canning Town, East London. The 93,000 sq. ft development will be located at London City Island, a new neighbourhood from EcoWorld Ballymore.
Belfast fit-out specialist Portview has completed a new boutique for luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co. in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. As a concept like no other for the brand, the new store is designed to encourage creative interaction and play, embodying Tiffany’s attitude towards modern jewellery styling: embracing individuality and the art of self-expression. At 200 sq. m, the open space has a bright interior where bold, typographical wall visuals are paired with splashes of the brand’s signature ‘Tiffany Blue’, which is accented throughout the space with carefully selected paint finishes and textiles. The boutique features an installation of Tiffany Blue boxes, a #MakeItTiffany personalisation bar, a floor-to-ceiling screen and wall graphics showcasing a prominent ‘T’ motif. Simon Campbell, Portview’s managing director, said: “We’re honoured that Tiffany & Co. has entrusted us with a number of its stores over the years. The concept store was particularly exciting as it offered an entirely new design concept with plenty of interactive features and quirky decor unlike any other Tiffany store we’ve worked on.”
FIND OUT MORE www.wearebw.com
FIND OUT MORE www.portview.co.uk
FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/news
BW sponsors English National Ballet dancer
It’s time to nominate for the FIS Fit-Out Futures Awards
FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.thefis.org
FINISHES AND INTERIORS SECTOR
we're hiring! Sector Technical Engagement Manager Ce Solutions’ sales executive, Liv Ambler, and operations manager, Dale Humphries, on location.
Ce Solutions plays a part on DIY SOS Worcester-based Ce Solutions was honoured to volunteer time, expertise and product to the BBC DIY SOS team to help create a purpose-built community centre and boxing gym in Grenfell, London. The pressure was on to design, manufacture and install two large bespoke movable partitions within one week, and the team rose to the challenge. The partitions enable four areas within the community centre to be divided into smaller spaces or made open-plan as required. This flexibility means both personal meetings and group exercises can take place in one room. Ce Solutions’ operations manager, Dale Humphries, oversaw the project. He said: “When we first received the enquiry from the BBC team, we agreed it was something we really wanted to be involved in. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our suppliers, who also pulled out all the stops to make this happen.” FIND OUT MORE www.cesolutions.co.uk
FIS is looking to recruit a sector technical engagement manager with proven sales and technical experience, who will enjoy raising technical standards in the finishes and interiors sector and promoting FIS benefits to both recruit and retain members. The role will provide critical liaison between FIS, its membership and potential members, to drive effective engagement and ensure FIS technical guidance and services are developed accordingly. This hands-on role requires sales and account management experience, an understanding of sector technical issues, strong communication skills and an underlying passion for driving genuine, long-lasting improvement. Salary negotiable. Applications: Covering letter and CV to janeknight@thefis.org Closing date: 30 November 2018. For more details visit the FIS JobSpot at www.thefis.org/jobs
SAFETY PLATFORMS PLASTERER’S LIGHT The Defender LED Uplight or plasterer’s light is the latest version of the award winning Uplight. With a high light output performance the plasterer’s light can either be mounted in its rounded base for stand-alone use, or used as a stand alone light source.
The Defender plasterer’s light stem is capable of beingsuspended from a ceiling or scaffold, or placed horizontally on a bench or on the ground. The Defender plasterer’s light features a low energy LED tube. Defender Uplight Features • Durable LED low energy light source • Multi linking capacity • Two part base with water fill • Self righting up to 45 degrees (when base is weighted) • Detachable shoulder strap • Ideal for outdoor or indoor use Safe to touch low temperature •S • The LED light delivers broad and almost shadow-free illumination s • Ideal as a plasterer’s light
Defender Uplight Specifications & Technical Data Light Output: 1600 Lumen Lamp: 20WT8 LED cool daylight Voltage: 110V Overall Height: 1.5m IP Rating: IP46 Weight: 6.5kg Cable length: 5M
01924 24 420820 | info@safetyplatforms.co.uk | safetyplatforms.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 23