SpecFinish - November 2016

ÂŁ3.50 November 2016

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Facade finishes – improved performance and longer life Page 22 Operable walls: What you need to know p16

Legal: Adjudication abuse delays payment p20

FIS Conference: Change, Challenge and Opportunity p25

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

Creating even more value 13 Doors: Performance is

the priority 14 Passive fire protection:

an exercise in transparency 16 Technical: What you need to

know about operable walls 18 Renovating plaster:

The forgotten solution 22 Facade finishes: Technology

drives new look 25 FIS Conference 2016:

Change, Challenge and

Opportunity 28 Market Analysis: Construction

industry scenarios 31 Health and Safety:

Managing HAVS 32 Training: A new Skills Hub for the sector

FRONT COVER: The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, facade finish of StoTherm Vario M external wall insulation system with Sto Lotusan K self-cleaning render was installed by Prater.

CONTACT US EDITORIAL Editor: Adrian JG Marsh Assistant Editor: Jenny Gibson Email: newsdesk@campbellmarsh.com SpecFinish, Althorpe Enterprise Hub Althorpe Street, Leamington Spa CV31 2GB Design: Matthew Glover ADVERTISING Advertising enquiries: Adam Turner Tel: 01926 420660 adam.turner@campbellmarsh.com FIS Tel: 0121 707 0077 www.thefis.org Email: info@thefis.org FIS, Unit 4, Olton Bridge, 245 Warwick Rd, Solihull, West Midlands B92 7AH ISNN: 2055-2025 (Print) SpecFinish magazine published on behalf of FIS by Campbell Marsh and the views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those held by FIS or the publishers. The publishers shall not be under any liability in respect of the contents of the contributed articles. The Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or alter articles for publication. © All editorial contents SpecFinish 2016 SpecFinish is distributed to members of FIS and other selected leading finishes and interiors businesses.

Printer: Emmerson Press

02 Advertising 01926 420660

FIS President’s Awards 2017 are open for entries FIS is calling for members who demonstrate excellence, dedication and commitment to personal development in the finishes and interiors sector to enter the 2017 President’s Awards, which will be announced at the President’s Lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall, London, in February next year.

The four award categories are Outstanding Employee, Future Leader, Apprentice of the Year and a nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Entries need to be submitted online by the closing date of Wednesday 30 November 2016.

Steve Coley, FIS President, said: “The awards are an opportunity for our sector to recognise real

achievement and success. Developing skills is a vital component of the finishes and interiors sector and entering these awards is a clear statement that our people are a top priority.”

This year, FIS will also present the winners of the FIS Contractors Awards Plastering categories at the President’s Lunch. The Crabb and Humber Awards were traditionally part of the Plaisterers’ Awards and this change will help to place more emphasis on the traditional craft elements involved.

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/membership-hub/fis-awards/ fis-presidents-awards

Housing growth boosts Government tightens construction output up payment terms for

The latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for September has shown an upturn in business activity across the UK construction sector for the first time since May, primarily driven by a recovery in residential building, but commercial work continued to decline. New orders also rebounded during September, which ended a four-month period of sustained decline.

Tim Moore from Markit, and author of the PMI, said: “UK construction companies moved back into expansion mode during September, led by a swift recovery in residential building from the three-and-a-half year low recorded in June.

David Noble, at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The sector still faces challenges with continuing pressures on input prices resulting from the weaker pound and the lingering uncertainty of the Brexit process and how it will impact on future business.”

Just under half of the survey panel (45 per cent) forecast a rise in output over the year ahead, while only 9 per cent anticipate a reduction. However, the degree of confidence remained softer than that seen at the start of 2016.

Mirroring the positive trends seen for business activity and new work, latest survey data highlighted a return to rising input buying across the construction sector.

Meanwhile, construction companies indicated that supply chain pressures eased in September, with the latest deterioration in vendor performance the least marked seen for almost six years.

public sector

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FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

The government is to tighten up 30-day payment rules covered by the 2015 Public Contracts Regulations following representations from the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group. The move has led to revised statutory guidance being issued by the Crown Commercial Service.

The 2015 Public Contracts Regulations place a statutory duty on UK Government Departments/Agencies and public bodies in England to ensure that 30-day payment clauses are inserted in supply chain contracts.

Statutory guidance issued under the Regulations did not specify a trigger point in construction contracts for the commencement of the 30 days. But following representations from the SEC Group, revised statutory guidance has now been issued by the Crown Commercial Service.

The new guidance makes clear that, on public works contracts, tiers 1, 2 and 3 contractors must be paid within 30 days of the issue of a payment notice.

SEC Group’s chief executive, Professor Rudi Klein, explained that this means that subcontractors (and sub-subcontractors) should now expect to be paid, at the latest, within 30 days following expiry of the fifth day period (after the payment due date) allowed for issuing statutory payment notices.

Professor Klein added: “This clarification will benefit thousands of construction supply chain firms working on public sector jobs. The statutory guidance also advises public bodies to use project bank accounts to ensure that supply chain firms are paid within the 30 days.”

SEC Group has already referred complaints to the government’s complaints service, the Mystery Shopper Scheme, regarding failure by some public bodies to ensure that 30 day payments are being made along the supply chain.

www.thefis.org

Modular construction to increase Modular construction could take off within a decade, claimed a panel of experts at the RESI 2016 conference in Wales.

Speaking at the Celtic Manor in Newport, Tom Bloxham MBE, chairman of regeneration specialists Urban Splash, said: “We’ll see an increasing number of homes delivered through modular.”

Twenty per cent of Berkeley Group’s homes will now be constructed off-site, its chairman Tony Pidgley announced at the conference.

While Geoff Pearce, executive director at Swan housing association, said: “We’re seeing a huge rise in construction costs and a massive drop in the labour available in London pushing developers towards using off-site construction.”

Mark Farmer, chief executive officer at construction consultancy Cast, warned: “[The] skills crisis will only get worse; in the next cycle, the construction sector won’t be able to deliver.”

Paul Stanworth, managing director at Legal & General Capital, argued the unique benefits modular brings to the build to rent sector, commenting: “We learnt from student accommodation that a rental model needs speed, so that led to [more] modular.”

Winners of the first FIS Scottish Awards were revealed at a special lunch ceremony at the George Hotel in Edinburgh in September where industry leaders gathered to celebrate high-quality finishes and interiors workmanship from across Scotland.

Veitchi Interiors’ specialist fit-out package of drylining, suspended ceilings, acoustic rafts, bespoke joinery work and acoustic wall linings for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (pictured) picked up the Judges’ Award.

FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

FIND OUT MORE ON PAGE 34 AND www.thefis.org/events/scottishawardslunch

FIS Scottish Awards 2016

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COMMENT & OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk

Editor’s column

Reflections During the glorious summer we heard a lot about marginal gains that improve performance.

Without a doubt lots of small changes can make a big difference, and our Olympians in Team GB gave us all a real boost and demonstrated how careful research, planning and training can make a big difference if applied in a co-ordinated way.

It’s that creative thinking that gives businesses a competitive edge and the ability to step away from being seen as just one of the pack. Throughout this issue we again see fine examples of where managing risk in a controlled manner not only leads to delivering clients’ expectations, but also allows the buildings we construct and fit-out to perform with greater safety and efficiency.

The simple door plays such a vital part in today’s world. Three million fire doors go into the market and we learn on page 13 that the European Union is trying to raise standards by ensuring they are all CE marked. Failure to install fire-rated doors correctly can expose specialists to huge liabilities.

The facade finishes sector is another clear example where changing fashions and a different interpretation of regulations has forced the sector to look at how it delivers on the aspirations of clients (turn to page 22). There are many exciting initiatives here that are pushing at barriers to raise standards and performance.

And who’d have thought that a humble render finish would be based on the characteristics of a desert beetle?

As extensive research and development brings new products and materials to the market, how buildings are finished and fitted out can impact on the viability of projects. New materials often require a different approach to installation, which can affect installation times and project costs, but offer huge benefits in downstream maintenance and operating costs.

Pushing to use innovative materials and new ways of working means different things to different people. But harnessing the integrated capabilities of the supply chain offers a huge opportunity to boost performance.

Adrian JG Marsh Editor 04 Advertising 01926 420660

Creating even more value The future remains an uncertain place with the pound, at the time of writing, reaching a 31-year low. Who knows where it will be when you read this. The stock market, however, is nearing record highs, breaking through the 7,000 barrier last month. This is bound to continue. And we could be looking at President Trump, so that might make Brexit Britain look a whole lot more attractive for foreign investors.

While this uncertainty continues to be the only certainty, the rest of us have to get on with it. The underlying issues impacting our sector will be the same in a year’s time or worse unless we start to tackle them. So, the FIS board has approved a bold investment plan aimed at addressing the skills problem and the introduction of a series of new member benefits designed to make members’ lives easier and give them more time to run their businesses.

For training, FIS recently launched CourseSight to enable training providers to display their courses. This allows online payment and an automatic update of the CSCS card on completion of the course.

The new FIS training team will be in place shortly to help members develop training plans and access grants as quickly and easily as possible. The ambition is to reduce the admin burden on businesses, make employing apprentices easier and make on-site assessments more readily available.

Our aim is to have the whole sector qualified to NVQ Level 2 by 2020.

The first element of our new member benefits package was launched at the FIS Conference on 13 October: a new legal service in partnership with Bond Dickinson.

Members will have access to free advice

from Kara Price, a lawyer within its specialist construction team. What sets this apart from other legal helplines is that unlike other helplines which purely provide telephone advice, members can forward documents for review. The service is designed to give members access to expert written advice which will allow them to make the informed decisions they need to make about their business.

FIS will be rolling out a series of new member benefits throughout what remains of this year and 2017, all designed to support business activities and demonstrate the real value of membership. We launched the new Scottish Awards in 2016 and they proved a great success with a sell-out event highlighting the great work our members in Scotland deliver. It was particularly heartening to see so many clients come along and share in the celebrations. Congratulations to all the winners.

As I said, we live in ‘interesting times’ with the political landscape seemingly in the midst of a tectonic shift with the old certainties around the political parties changing. We have a new prime minister and government, signalling a complete shift in the style and tone of leadership.

Uncertainty will be our constant throughout the coming years and that is not good for the economy. Or that is what the perceived wisdom tells us. Yet the economy in the UK continues to grow and, for the time being, our order books are full.

In other words, keep calm and carry on.

DAVID FRISE FIS chief executive www.thefis.org

VIEWPOINT

www.thefis.org

Innovative design maximises interior space Sektor’s sales director, Steve Crompton, explains how new product development in partitioning is helping even more design visions to become a reality.

Advancements in interiors partitioning are making the design visions of end users a reality more than ever before, with users now able to choose from bespoke partitioning, including made-to-measure and curved options that can also be branded with company logos, colours and patterns. This is prevalent across materials, but arguably none more so than with glass, which, thanks to the growth in demand for light

and adaptable interiors spaces, has definitely influenced the choices available.

The popularity of glazing options has brought about some exciting developments on the market, such as smart glass that turns from transparent to frosted at the flip of a switch. Additionally, we’re seeing a larger range of glass thicknesses with the option of using even thinner, more cost-effective glass, which can still

retain the acoustic and fire performance required on projects.

Innovation in design also extends to the features of the systems, including ‘moveable wall’ options. These allow users to make the most of the space, especially when it is at a premium, through being able to switch between having a larger or smaller area when required.

Relocatable features also provide building users and

architects with the scope to plan future layout and space changes.

This gives the option to extend the panels in the future, move them completely or alter them to adapt to the changing needs of a business, such as accommodating for growth.

It is not just the system that is important, but also the chosen finish. Modern partitioning systems offer countless options from vinyl, veneer, melamine, paint or magnetic dry-wipe surfaces for writing.

The innovations discussed here are just a fraction of what is being made possible through clever design, and it is clear that as trends develop, interiors solutions will no doubt continue to be influenced to achieve even more design possibilities in the future.

STEVE CROMPTON Sektor Sales director www.sektorinteriors.com

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PRODUCTS

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Sto creates skyline-look for Premier Inn The use of an eye-catching rainscreen facade solution from Sto has created the focal point for a major new £12 million refurbishment project on a prominent site on London’s Archway Road.

StoVentec glass was used to remodel the exterior of a disused 1960s office building, which was converted into a 163-room Premier Inn hotel in the largest glass rainscreen project that Sto has ever completed in the UK. Just under 3,000m2 of StoVentec panels were installed.

Axiom Architects wanted to create something high profile and dramatic for the building but needed to suit stringent planning requirements for a crystalline facade that mimicked the skyline.

This led Axiom to Sto and its choice of StoVentec glass panels that offer enormous design possibilities thanks to the wide range of size and RAL colour options, plus the availability of bespoke size, shape and screen-printed possibilities.

Pontypool-based housing developer Rob Wyman Homes is using British Gypsum’s Gyproc Habito to create four bespoke homes in South Wales.

The new homes will all feature Gyproc Habito plasterboard, which has a reinforced core and is five times stronger than its standard counterparts.

Gyproc Habito allows installers and homeowners to fit items such as shelves, curtain poles, picture hooks and TV brackets without specialist fixings – a single no. 10 woodscrew can support up to 15kg of weight hung on the board.

Developer Rob Wyman commented: “The product is spot on: straightforward to install, simple to plaster over and it goes a long way to meeting our requirements for high quality. People inevitably change rooms around, so flexible solutions are important if we are to create homes that are future proof.”

www.sto.co.uk

www.british-gypsum.com

Developer raises the standard with Gyproc Habito

Rockfon lines up for the British Army Reserve

Rockfon has provided acoustic ceiling solutions for the drill hall at the Debdon Army Reserve Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The drill hall’s original interior was fitted with highly reverberant hard surfaces which created an uncomfortable acoustic environment for the reservists on the receiving end of loud drill commands.

Rockfon Blanka Db42 ceiling tiles were chosen to deliver Class A sound absorption that controls ambient sound in the hall to prevent echo and increase speech intelligibility.

The 40mm thick Rockfon Blanka tiles also provide 99 per cent light diffusion and an independently tested light reflection index above 87 per cent, because of its specialist super-white coating sourced from the US space industry. A smooth matt finish and no pattern allows for easy installation in any direction. www.rockfon.co.uk 06 Advertising 01926 420660

New ceiling baffles unveiled by Soundtect Soundtect launched a new ceiling baffle at the Restaurant Design Show as a stylish acoustic treatment for restaurants and bars where reverberation needs to be effectively addressed.

The new ceiling fins are manufactured from the same recycled PET super-absorbent acoustic felt used for Soundtect’s other ranges in a standard size 1m x 300mm, with additional lengths and different sized ‘waves’ available on request.

The Fins can be spaced at different heights and widths according to their design thanks to a looped bracket system that provides flexibility for the installer. www.soundtect.com

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Improved Aquapanel boards from Knauf

Style’s Skyfold Zenith divides space at the Walkie Talkie

Knauf’s Aquapanel Interior Cement Boards have been redeveloped to be a third lighter – at just 11kg/m2 – making them quicker and easier to install.

The boards, which are manufactured from inorganic materials, still demonstrate the same resistance to water, mould and mildew, meaning they perform well for a wide range of wet area applications, including swimming pools, steam saunas, communal showers and kitchen areas.

An improved score-and-snap technique will also make installation easier, and the boards are now available in a larger 900x2400mm size making them suitable for use on a wider variety and scale of projects.

Style has installed its unique Skyfold Zenith fully automatic partitioning wall in prestigious refurbished offices on the 31st floor of the Walkie Talkie building in London.

As with all Skyfold partitions, the Zenith descends from within the ceiling cavity at the touch of a button. Rather than unfolding as concertinaed panels, it slides automatically into place as almost entirely flat vertical panels. This allows the space to be quickly divided with the minimum of disruption or reorganisation of furniture and provides acoustic performance of 54dB. In addition to the Zenith partition, Style installed a DORMA Magic Glass sliding wall which features liquid crystals suspended in a conductive layer to enable the glass to change from an opaque partition to clear glass as required.

www.knauf.co.uk

www.style-partitions.co.uk

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Safer ceiling installation from Knauf AMF

Knauf AMF, in collaboration with specialist contractor John Taylor, has developed the Knauf AMF Safety Sleeve to improve safety for everyone working above the ceiling, during construction or when carrying out maintenance work.

Peter Symons, commercial director at Knauf AMF, said: “John [Taylor] suffered lacerations to his arm when trying to reach into the ceiling void. This is a common occupational hazard for the industry as a whole. The Sleeve is a simple and clever solution, helping to prevent accidents from exposed hanging wires for ceiling installers and other tradesmen too.”

Ceiling voids are often crowded with metal grids, pipes, cables and wires in a confined space, and trade professionals can have difficulty accessing services without injuring themselves on grid hanging wires with sharp, unprotected ends.

The Sleeve simply clips onto the suspension wire and slides over the exposed trailing end, holding both in place and covering the sharp ends safely. www.amfceilings.co.uk

Clestra provides discreet sliding door solution for City HQ Clestra has designed and installed a high-performance sliding door solution for the refurbishment of Global Insurance Europe’s prestigious headquarters in the City of London, designed by architects Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will.

The new sliding pocket-door system, which was designed specifically for this refurbishment project, has minimalist lines that provide high acoustic performance.

The innovative door now forms part of Clestra’s standard product range. It opens

and closes by sliding into a pocket between double-glazed partitions, has a total thickness of 83mm, achieves good acoustic separation and can be supplied as single or double glazed.

Also part of Clestra’s package, which was completed in August as part of a three-phase programme of works, were partitions and high-level glazing above joinery and seating units. www.clestra.com

Make lite work of meeting BBA standards Finish Limelite Renovating Plaster with a coat of High Impact Finishing Plaster and you’ve got a 2 part BBA approved plaster system.

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PRODUCTS

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Hilti innovates with battery-powered fastening for concrete and steel

Woven Image introduces innovative partition hanger Woven Image has launched the Pendent collection, a new space-dividing solution with EchoPanel that helps to inspire and organise open-plan places.

This collection of ready-to-install ceiling-suspended acoustic panels is suitable for use in offices, classrooms or restaurant to create a room feature, simply configure a space for privacy or add an immediate improvement to the sound quality of a space.

Each Pendent comes with a stylish hanging component kit which clips into place, suspending the panel from an easily adjustable ceiling mount. www.thecollective.agency

Get the new app from Instarmac

Instarmac has created an app to help contractors with common questions when on-site with no access to Wi-Fi. The Product Planner app has a dedicated page for each of Instarmac’s six brands – UltraCrete, UltraScape, UltraTile, UltraFloor, Wondertex and Granfix – to help users to quickly and easily find the information required. There’s also an enhanced product calculator along with technical and safety datasheets which can be accessed and downloaded without an internet connection.

The Instarmac app, which is free to download from Google Play and the App Store, features tutorial videos, an easy-to-use search function and a favourites list where users can keep a note of their preferred products and brands. www.instarmac.co.uk

Hilti has launched the world’s first battery-powered fastening tool capable of driving nails into steel, concrete and solid brick.

The Hilti BX 3 Battery-actuated direct fastening tool improves the speed and safety that users can operate at by using an electric motor and a belt system to tension two steel springs that provide a burst of energy instead of the combustible propellants traditionally used to power such systems.

The tool is powered by a Hilti 22 V 5.2 Ah battery. It can fasten a minimum of 600 nails on a single charge for applications including fastening cables, conduits, trunking, distribution boxes, light suspended installations, small pipes and drywall tracks. www.hilti.co.uk

New monocouche from SAS Europe A new GoRend range of renders, basecoats and coatings specifically for new build projects is now available from SAS Europe.

The through-coloured monocouche render comes in 12 popular colours, four of which can be delivered from stock on the next working day.

GoRend is quick to apply and has a five to 36-hour scrape time, depending on conditions. To use, mix GoRend with clean water and apply new blockwork in two passes using the ‘wet on wet’ technique. www.sas-europe.com

Fermacell speeds up school project

SPS Envirowall has launched TechAssist to support contractors and architects with technical aspects.

TechAssist will offer technical information and advice on a range of external wall insulations and rendering systems, including technical data sheets and COSHH data, as well as specific project advice and early stage support to ensure selection of the right system. A one-day course covering theory and practical elements is also now available.

The new TechAssist team will provide samples, create specifications and drawings for project teams and architects, and provide on-site support during installation to ensure the quality of the system.

Gypsum fibreboard from Fermacell has been used to dryline Lane End Primary School in Leeds allowing main contractor Interserve Construction to accelerate the construction programme.

Fermacell’s 12.5mm square-edged panels, which are manufactured from recycled gypsum, cellulose fibres from post-consumer waste paper and water, have been used throughout the building in place of plasterboard. The original plasterboard specification would have required two layers and plywood pattressing to meet the loading requirements for potentially heavy wall fixings.

With gypsum fibreboard used as an alternative, the drylining has gone ahead with just a single layer of Fermacell, in effect negating the need for one layer of plasterboard and one layer of plywood pattressing, and saving money and time. Fermacell is capable of carrying up to 50kg per cavity fixing and 30kg per screw for dead loads.

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DOORS & IRONMONGERY

FEATURE

www.thefis.org

Performance is the priority with doors

advocated by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).

BWF’s schemes and technical manager, Hannah Mansell, explained: “We come from a scenario of managing risk for our members and their customers.

Fire doors take an intricate route through the supply chain and performance can be diluted.”

To help members counter those problems, the BWF’s testing scheme is carried out by a third party certifier.

Ms Mansell added: “If I’m fitting a fire door that’s been tested by a third party, I’d have confidence that when the building inspectors come to the nature of the construction round with third party certification, industry, that happens. Building I’d have traceability through the control should pick this up, but supply chain.” often they don’t.”

CE markings will also offer The ASFP advises contractors in that, but with third party the first instance to buy a doorset, or, if they buy a door assembly with certification, there is an assurance separate parts, to ensure these parts that a fire door, whether bought as a set or assembled, will work and have been tested together. The successfully prevent a repetition of association advises contractors to Lakanal House. get doors tested, which is also

Specifying and installing doors remains a complex area.

Steve Menary reports on the areas of caution and highlights best practice from industry specialists.

As standards over doors and ironmongery edge towards harmonisation, the lessons of the Lakanal House fire in 2009 must not be forgotten. A fire at the tower block in Camberwell, south London, killed six people and injured 20 more because, an inquest ruled, of failures in fire safety measures. Seven years on and attempts to harmonise standards for fire doors, partly in response to the tragedy, are edging towards a conclusion.

“Three million fire doors go into the market, so the [European Union] is trying to track them by ensuring they are all CE marked,” explained Paul Smith, sales director at Allgood, which supplies ironmongery and doorsets.

In Germany, there is an established industry that manufactures and sells doorsets, which, from November 2016, should have the mechanism to be CE marked. But the situation remains complicated (see box), and will still not cover doors where the parts are bought separately and assembled.

“People can still buy components separately and there is a huge risk,” highlighted Joe Cilia, FIS technical manager. “The danger from a contractor’s point of view is they buy a fire door, a frame, a closer and an intumescent strip and think they

have a fire door. But they might not have the appropriate parts; they might not have a strong enough closer, or the components may not have been tested together.”

In an industry where profit margins are constantly under pressure, buying separate parts is common.

Laura Glazier, sales executive at architectural ironmongers Harbrine, said: “There’s nothing to say once we’ve put a specification out to market that a contractor won’t decide that it’s too expensive.

A lot of projects are cost driven and are not getting the right product.

“There’s the threat of prosecution nowadays if the wrong product has been used, but a lot of it comes down to education.

It might cost more, but further down the line it will work.”

Breaking down established practices can be hard in the construction industry, says Niall Rowan, the new chief operating officer at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), which, he argues, reflects the “cottage nature of UK industry”.

He explained: “A joiner would buy a door blank from a distributor that has a certificate and he would follow the instructions. But if he didn’t, the customer would have a door that might not work. Due

What CE marking means for fire doors The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has been trying to bring in a harmonised standard that allows doorsets to be sold with a fire safety CE mark since 2013.

From November 2016, doorsets can be sold with a CE marking, but that process is not totally complete.

The fire safety standard EN 16034 can only be used with external pedestrian doors (EN 14351-1), internal pedestrian doors (prEN 14351-2), industrial, garage and commercial doors (EN 13241) and power-operated pedestrian doors (EN 16361).

However, most fire-rated doors are internal pedestrian doors and the CEN certification process for prEN 14351-2 is unlikely to be completed until June 2017.

Also, while power-operated pedestrian doors have been ratified, the standard will not be published until early next year.

The result: most fire-rated doors cannot yet be CE marked. The wait goes on… www.specfinish.co.uk 13

OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk

Passive fire protection: an exercise in transparency

non-accredited alternatives are available of course but – as is usually the case – skimping on quality in the name of value engineering is a false economy.

Any fire protection system is only as good as the installation, and vice versa, and substandard versions of either cause long-term issues as well as slowing down build time. There have been multiple examples recently of private finance initiative (PFI) projects – in which cost was clearly the central concern during construction – where significant defects in fire protection were discovered long after handover.

The specialists were brought in too late, with major time and cost implications for the client.

Third party accreditation not only assures the quality of the job, it also enables vital transparency throughout the supply chain.

Accreditation provides accountability after handover is complete, giving the client and/ or facilities management company all the information they need to manage the asset going forward.

It’s also evidence of due diligence on the part of the dryliner, actively demonstrating that they take seriously their contractual duty of care which each supplier must fulfil.

If gaining accreditation fits within Nigel Morrey of fire protection the balance of your in-house skill specialist Promat. set, then it’s worth considering for your business, but equally dryliners shouldn’t be afraid to subcontract party accreditation, the number Fire protection comes in active and supply chain transparency and this element of the package to of deaths due to fires in buildings passive forms. Active fire ensure consistency through a specialist. If you do take this has fallen considerably. There are protection includes measures like independent third party route, early engagement is key. It’s fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, accreditation of both products and a number of schemes for both worth getting your chosen supplier products and installers, but the smoke detectors and emergency installers. It’s a move that we’ve involved as soon as possible Association for Specialist Fire lighting. Passive fire protection – the fully supported.

Protection (ASFP) only recommends – specialists can advise on how kind we’re concerned with – is built Third party assessment of into the fabric of the building in the products and installers has allowed those that have been accredited by passive fire protection can fit most UKAS: you can find a comprehensive seamlessly into your plans, and also form of fire-resistant floors, walls contractors to identify those recommend the best materials for list on www.asfp.org.uk and doors. The best fire protection products and supply chain your specific requirements.

Not only do these schemes solutions consider the specific partners that can offer design of individual buildings and independently assured quality and assess both products and installers Passive fire protection with thoroughly, but they're an ongoing accredited materials and installers how they are used by occupiers. technical performance. While it saves lives and protects property, assessment process with They combine both active and may be perceived to add materials tested every few years to so either look into gaining third passive measures in a holistic additional time and cost into the party accreditation yourself or ensure consistency and approach. While dryliners need equation, the shift has seen subcontract to a specialist – it technical performance. Critically, only concern themselves with the standards rise considerably and by using products with third party could save a life, and certainly protection that is built in, it’s worth costs reduce because the use won’t do your reputation within accreditation, you avoid being being aware that this sits within a of inappropriate systems and caught out by a manufacturer that the supply chain any harm. broader framework. installations – and the associated gained accreditation initially only Across the built environment in rectification costs – are avoided. to downgrade the composition of recent years there’s been a move to Passive fire protection is no FIND OUT MORE the product to cut costs. Cheaper, www.promat-international.com drive quality standards, boost different. Since the rise in third

Drylining and passive fire protection are two distinct disciplines, but they are increasingly being let by contractors as part of the same package. As a result, growing numbers of drylining contractors now face the challenge of taking on passive fire protection, but what do they need to know? Nigel Morrey, technical director at ETEX Building Performance UK, which includes passive fire protection specialist Promat, highlights some important points.

14 Advertising 01926 420660

FLOORING

FEATURE

www.thefis.org

Delivery. It’s in our nature.

Within a colony, ants communicate with each other and work together to solve complex problems.

Rather like our team at Nevill Long. We specialise not only in all aspects of interiors from ceilings, drywall and partitions to facades, floors and finishes, but also in making sure we deliver the right solution for you – at the right time.

That’s what makes Nevill Long the Distributor of Choice. Naturally.

For your nearest Nevill Long branch visit nevilllong.co.uk AN ENCON GROUP COMPANY

CEILINGS

DRYWALL

www.specfinish.co.uk 15 PARTITIONS

TECHNICAL www.specfinish.co.uk

allow sufficient time from survey to installation, as panels will be manufactured with a minimum tolerance to ensure the best sound reduction performance. Airborne sound insulation of an installed operable wall relies on flanking sound being addressed. Flanking sound is where sound energy can transfer from one space to another, maybe through gaps in the ceiling and floor void, or because the wall has been installed between two walls of lower performance than the operable wall, or the seals around the panels haven’t been properly set, leaving gaps.

Where an acoustic engineer is involved in the process, a series of interventions should be designed into the scheme to mitigate the risk. But when there’s no engineer involvement, the operable wall manufacturer should be involved to ensure the products perform as This may also include Far fewer operable walls are installed on interiors projects than demountable expected. recalculating the reverberation in the room if hard surfaces are specified or relocatable partitions, yet the risks involved are exponentially higher. on the operable wall panels.

FIS technical manager Joe Cilia highlights these risks and provides guidance Unlike demountable or even relocatable partitions, on overcoming them to achieve a successful installation. operable walls are dismantled and as to state that over 75 per cent of reinstalled on a regular basis, and often by non-specialist staff. This the selection process team don’t really understand the true meaning means there is a huge risk of users of the acoustic level, which makes it getting all, or even part, of this process wrong, which can result in difficult to select a product.”

Mr Sargent added: “There are even poor sound insulation or damage to the panels. Time should always examples where old and be allowed after completion to out-of-date certificates are train an operable wall champion, confusing the market, which is and it’s also worth providing an why we support the FIS Test ongoing maintenance proposal.

Certificate Verification Scheme Operable wall panels can be big where manufacturers can submit and heavy, and often higher than test certificates for verification by an independent acoustician. I think your average plasterboard, so extra this scheme will give specifiers the attention is required during a site survey to ensure that the panels can confidence to know that the test be offloaded and carted safely to The number of operable walls being figure while the second is an on-site result is current and verified.” where they are required. installed is increasing as their figure. Because of flanking, the The additional weight of on-site Db DnTw figure will always benefits are being more widely operable walls must be considered As with any specialist product, FIS recommends that the recognised. With certain sectors, be lower than the dB Rw figure. by a structural engineer as part manufacturers are consulted such as education and conferencing, This simple difference has the of the design and specification rigid acoustic targets may necessitate potential to make a profitable process, which has to allow for the at every stage in the process to an on-site acoustic test to ensure project go into the red, let alone risk load to be concentrated in a single reduce risk and ensure the client a contractor’s reputation. that the product installed performs point, such as the parking bays and is completely satisfied. Find out about the FIS Test Certificate as required in the specification. This “Confusion about performance even mid-run. This often requires Verification Scheme at is where one of the greatest risks can can be found across the supply additional steel work. www.thefis.org/specialistbe become apparent. chain,” explained David Bolton of Any risk of structure-borne interest-forum/test-certificate Partition specifications will often Accordial. He added: “There can be sound transference which could verification-scheme refer to dB Rw, whereas specifications a lack of understanding of product disturb other tenants should

for an operable wall may well refer to types and their performance. Julian be designed out. Some support JOE CILIA ‘dB DnTw’. Both are single-figure dB Sargent, managing director at Style, framework is likely to be installed joecilia@thefis.org ratings, but the first is a laboratory commented: “I would be as bold ahead of a final site survey, so

Operable walls: what you need to know

16 Advertising 01926 420660

TECHNICAL www.thefis.org

Supplying an operable wall – what to take into account: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Understanding the specification.

Understanding the requirements.

Considering the implications of the additional load/weight that the wall will put on the structure.

Understanding the acoustic and fire performance requirements.

Ensuring you have correct and verified information from a site survey.

Ensuring that there is a planned ingress route to the final position.

Ensuring there are adequate sound barriers in the ceiling and floor voids.

Ensuring that the products abutting the operable wall are equal to or exceed the performance requirements of the operable wall.

Being aware that a hard surface finish can increase reverberation within a divided space.

Ensuring that a training and maintenance programme is offered when discussing the sale.

New online platform for contractor tendering FIS has partnered with 3D Repo, Balfour Beatty and Innovate UK to develop a cloud-based platform that allows tier 1 contractors to invite bids from specialist contractors.

The 3drepo.io platform for Building Information Modelling (BIM), which was launched at Digital Construction Week in October, will enable specialist contractors to access tender information using any device without the need for potentially costly hardware or training.

Specialist contractors can use the new 3D model to identify work packages and provide the tender information required.

FIND OUT MORE www.3drepo.org/projects/3drepo-io

www.specfinish.co.uk 17

OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk

The forgotten solution: renovating plaster The UK plaster market has been heavily shaped in the last 50 years by the rise in predominance of both gypsum plaster and plasterboard. Quick to install and cheap to buy, they have become the go-to solutions for plasterers, and their dominance has led to a perception that they are a one-size-fits-all solution. Tarmac Limelite’s specifications co-ordinator, Tom Emery, delves deeper into a product which can all too often be overlooked: renovating plaster.

Setting the scene

Renovating plaster is not a new product – in fact, far from it. It was the Romans who first developed a hydraulic lime plaster, and plaster has been in widespread use as a building material in England since the 13th century. The 1:1:6 ratio was popularised in the mid-19th century, and that ratio proved to be the basis for plaster for the next 100 years.

The introduction of gypsum plaster to the UK construction industry in the 1930s irreversibly changed the plastering landscape. With ‘just add water’ variants that simplified the mixing process becoming commonplace by the 1960s, following the post-war housing boom, lime-based plasters were, in some instances, overlooked.

There are many situations where gypsum plasters are rightfully the go-to product, such as in new-build applications. But there are concerns that, particularly in some retrofit applications, these products can be subject to issues

following installation. The most significant of these results from gypsum plaster’s relative incompatibility with moisture. Due to the hygroscopic nature of gypsum, it easily absorbs and retains moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and substrate.

Therefore, if the property in question is at risk of flooding, susceptible to damp, or is built from heritage materials – and this includes barn or warehouse conversions, as well as single skin buildings and extensions – then using gypsum plaster could potentially result in post-installation issues that could range from discolouration, efflorescence and mould growth to irreversible plaster damage.

To avoid these problems, a material which is breathable and can allow moisture to pass through without affecting the integrity or appearance of the finished installation is a better option. That material is a renovating plaster.

Demystifying renovating plaster

A number of misconceptions surrounding renovating plaster have contributed to its decline. First is a perception that working with renovating plaster requires specialist skills over and above those of even an experienced plasterer. But renovating plasters can be applied in the same way as gypsum plasters: directly onto most sound mineral substrates.

While the skill of mixing and applying renovating plaster may have fallen off the agenda of plastering colleges some years ago, I have started to see it reappearing, and this can only benefit the wider industry. For experienced plasterers, a number of training courses and CPDs are readily available to bridge the knowledge gap.

Another supposed issue is drying time. On the contrary, renovating plaster actually dries faster than gypsum, allowing for earlier decoration.

And when it comes to repairing post-flood damage, gypsum plaster cannot be used until the wall is fully dry – a process which can take months. Even then, the risk of salts passing through newly applied gypsum can create efflorescence, and if the problem returns, then the gypsum will simply break down. Renovating plaster, on the other hand, can be directly applied to damp walls treated with a damp-proof course (DPC), so there is no need to wait for the walls to be fully dry, and they can be ready for paint in a matter of days. Salt inhibitors will also prevent discolouration further down the line.

Inadequate insulation is another criticism often levelled at renovating plasters, but renovating plaster can deliver a thermal conductivity value on average three times lower than gypsum plasters. This increased thermal efficiency is due to the use of expanded perlite, which improves the insulation properties of the wall – making it warmer to the touch – as well as reducing the density.

A final point worth clarifying is around cracking and shrinkage. While this may have been an issue with past product compositions for renovating plasters, modern variants tend to include synthetic fibres which can increase the cohesive characteristics and prevent cracks forming.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, there is a place in the market for both gypsum plaster and renovating plasters. While gypsum is typically the first choice for new build, all the available options should be considered when seeking the most suitable solution for older properties or those at risk of moisture ingress. Renovating plasters are ideal for these scenarios, where their breathability along with other defining attributes enables them to provide a solution which is durable and long-lasting while also being rapid and simple to apply.

FIND OUT MORE www.limeliteplaster.co.uk 18 Advertising 01926 420660

TECHNICAL www.thefis.org

YOUR EXPERIENCE OUR QUALITY PRODUCTS & SUPPORT

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www.specfinish.co.uk 19

LEGAL

www.specfinish.co.uk

Abuse of adjudication to deny payment rights Barrister Professor Rudi Klein considers a recent case where a paying party wasted the time of the court to resist paying out on an adjudicator’s decision.

FCC’s stance

During the adjudication, FCC had challenged the adjudicator’s right to deal with the matter. When GD issued court proceedings to enforce the adjudicator’s decision, FCC set out its defences to the enforcement. The main theme running through FCC’s defences was the “uncertainty” over whether there was a contract between the parties and, if so, what were the terms.

In fact, to the judge’s complete frustration, FCC decided not to “nail its colours to the mast”.

It was the scenario – on one hand the situation was “X” but, on the other hand, it may be “Y”.

In other words, FCC was arguing that there was no contract, but, at the same time, it was stating that if there was a contract, it was on the terms that had been proposed in a letter from FCC. After the judge had applied some pressure on FCC’s barrister, FCC accepted that its primary case was that there was a contract and that it was on certain terms proposed by FCC. But, during the adjudication, FCC had argued there was no contract at all. Consequently, there could not be an adjudication. FCC was also suggesting that the enforcement proceedings were inappropriate since it was necessary to have a full trial on the contract. But as the judge observed, FCC had done nothing to issue proceedings for a full trial.

FCC’s main defences

High costs of adjudication

There is growing concern over the increasing legal costs of pursuing claims in adjudication.

Small and medium sized firms are now being locked out of the adjudication process. The very recent case of Ground Developments Ltd v FCC Construcción SA starkly highlights this problem.

Ground Developments (GD), a groundworks subcontractor, had not received payment from FCC Construcción (FCC), a joint venture comprising Samsung, Kier Infrastructure and Merseylink Civil Contractors.

GD obtained an adjudicator’s decision. FCC still does not pay. GD brought proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court to enforce the decision. FCC then proceeded to waste the court’s time in developing thin excuses for non-compliance with the decision.

Thankfully, the judge, Mr Justice Fraser, saw through the excuses.

20 Advertising 01926 420660

The facts

FCC was engaged to construct the Mersey Gateway Project, a six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey to relieve congestion on existing crossings over the river. GD had submitted a tender for certain groundworks.

The common intention was to finalise the sub-contract terms comprising the NEC3 sub-contract. In spite of some prodding from GD, a formal sub-contract agreement incorporating NEC3 was never finalised.

The dispute centred on FCC’s failure to discharge payment in respect of three applications totalling just over £200k.

FCC had not issued any payment or pay less notices.

Not surprisingly – when the matter was referred to adjudication – the adjudicator had little difficulty in requiring FCC to pay the total of the amounts applied for.

1. The dispute referred to the adjudicator related to the lack of pay less notices but the adjudicator decided a different issue, namely, the valuation of the works.

Mr Justice Fraser dismissed this defence fairly quickly. In his decision, the adjudicator set out the dispute referred to him which was whether the total of the sums applied for were due in the absence of any pay less notices from FCC. “In my judgement, [FCC is] straining to… demonstrate that there was some imaginary straying by the adjudicator outside the ambit of the dispute that was referred to him.”

2. The adjudicator was appointed pursuant to the NEC3 sub-contract which was not agreed between the parties. Again, Mr Justice Fraser gave this defence short shrift. GD had applied to the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to appoint the adjudicator.

In the application to the ICE for appointment, GD had made clear that there was a potential difference between the parties about the contract terms. Therefore, the application was being made under the procedure in the Scheme for Construction Contracts (which applies where there is no procedure set out in the contract).

3. The court should put off enforcing the adjudicator’s decision to enable a full trial to resolve the uncertainty over the applicable

LEGAL www.thefis.org

contract terms. Mr Justice Fraser was equally firm in repelling this defence. GD had provided written confirmation to FCC on numerous occasions containing the terms upon which it was carrying out the works.

FCC had failed to respond to these communications but had encouraged, if not instructed, GD to continue. It had failed to issue any pay less notices.

It had remained silent when it suited it to do so; it had failed to provide any positive statement of what contractual arrangements were agreed.

The court was generally bound to enforce an adjudicator’s award provided that the adjudicator was validly appointed, had acted within his powers or jurisdiction and in accordance with natural justice.

Observations on this case

The absence of pay less notices (or any notices) meant that FCC was legally obliged to pay the £200k. It was clear that FCC didn’t want to pay at all, so had hoped that, by doing nothing, GD would give up. FCC, no doubt, still hoped that GD would give up when they failed to abide by the adjudicator’s decision. Perhaps FCC hadn’t

reckoned on GD’s steadfastness in issuing enforcement proceedings.

FCC’s lame defences in those proceedings annoyed the judge. This should have been a straightforward matter of paying outstanding amounts but turned into a long-winded and expensive process.

We should take careful note of what Mr Justice Fraser had to say: “Finally, excluding VAT, the parties collectively have spent a total sum by way of costs in these proceedings in excess of £55,000, arguing about the enforceability of a sum of about £207,000 that is potentially repayable in any event, because of the temporarily binding nature of adjudication.

That is over one quarter of the sum subject of the Decision. It cannot pass without comment that this is contrary to the purpose of Parliament when it imposed this alternative, and temporary, process of dispute resolution upon parties who enter into construction contracts.”

The message is clear. We must propose that government tightens up the adjudication process in order to reduce the time and costs involved.

Free legal service for FIS members FIS is now offering a legal advice helpline for its members provided by Bond Dickinson.

As announced at the FIS Conference, members will be able to make four queries a month, including sending documents. They will get an hour of free advice covering payment terms, contracts, disputes and problems with bonds and warranties. Where it is clear that the time needed to review documentation or discuss issues will exceed the allotted 60 minutes, Bond Dickinson will advise the member of the options available, which will be to either instruct them at the FIS agreed discounted hourly rate or instruct their own lawyers.

Bond Dickinson is a UK law firm that provides a comprehensive legal service to clients covering a wide range of sectors and expertise.

The legal advice will be provided by Kara Price, who is in the construction legal team based in Newcastle. FIS members who wish to seek free legal advice should call 0191 230 8860.

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www.specfinish.co.uk 21

FEATURE

FACADE FINISHES

www.specfinish.co.uk

Weber’s External Wall Insulation (EWI) was specified for a contemporary-style new build in a conservation area in Somerset.

Technology drives new look to facade finishes

There’s a myriad of facade finishes which change and evolve with fashion. The sector has had to cope with reduced funding, but technological developments are breathing new life into this colourful exterior category, with new products, improved performance and longer life. Adrian JG Marsh reports.

“It does seem that designers are moving away from EWI render systems, towards rainscreen cladding,” said Kevin Naughton, managing director at Hatfield-based specialist contractor RPN, who’s seen more of a mix in the type of materials used in facade finishes.

“We’ve seen this in the number of 22 Advertising 01926 420660

tenders we’ve received in recent years. This is due to the large range of aesthetic options with rainscreen cladding compared to render.”

Peter Baker, business development director at Stanmore, the specialist drylining, facades, metal work and glazing contractor, has seen that the interpretation of

building regulations when working above 18 metres has had an impact on the competitiveness of EWI against rainscreen as system designs change. He commented: “There are more fire breaks and more fixings which means there’s more to do, so traditional rates per metre don’t work anymore. There’s

also been a trend away from EPS (expanded polystyrene insulation) to mineral wool (insulation) with greater use of rainscreen and glass.

“Render is less popular with designers [on high rise] who are using a mixture of finishes such as rainscreens and glass. Even a brickwork finish has become fashionable again, but using traditional brickwork at high level is generally not an option because of the loads and weight, so clients are looking for lightweight solutions such as brick slip wall panels.”

Greg Astell at Sto sees thermal transmission of the substructure being important and said: “We’ve found stainless steel brackets have a better performance for thermal transmission and they’re stronger.

They’re not conducting as much heat as aluminium and often you do not require as much insulation, which reduces the thickness of insulation required.”

Innovation is driving productivity

The onus is definitely on manufacturers to innovate and help their customers to work smarter and so develop products that take into account the impact of climate change from both an installation

FACADE FINISHES

FEATURE

www.thefis.org

RPN carried out the rendering at Channelsea House in Stratford, London.

and user point of view.

Saint-Gobain Weber has recently developed and introduced webermineral TF, a through-coloured render that can be applied in temperatures as low as 1°C, which is ideal for winter working and allows installers to keep going when they would normally be forced to postpone works. And as the UK climate does have a reputation for rainfall, the system has also been designed to be rain-resistant to prevent wash off in as little as one hour (at 20°C).

Another issue to contend with is that of algae growth, a global problem. Algae growth on external surfaces is not a new phenomenon but its increase is due to warmer winter climates and prolonged

damp weather conditions. In conditions that do not fall below zero temperatures, algae spores continue to grow and can affect many exposed surfaces. Although algae does not affect the performance of render, it can sometimes become unsightly.

Tracey Dempster, head of marketing at Saint-Gobain Weber, said: “Over time, weathering and condensation build-up can erode the fabric of a building and ruin the appearance, meaning thermal insulation requirements fail to be met and the value of the property can seriously decline.”

Weber has worked closely with French microbiologists to understand the effect of the composition of render and also

the effect that external factors have to play, such as dew point, surface condensation, temperature and rainfall.

Technology for system designers and manufacturers brings a blend of performance in terms of impact and crack resistance and water repellence. Gary Bundy from Sto explained: “You want high performance to please the specifier and owner but you also have to have something that is easy to use.

We work hard at that to get material characteristics that are user friendly for applicators.

“We’re looking at biomimicry to emulate nature and the way plants shed water. If a facade sheds water easily it gets dry quicker and is less prone to getting dirty or allowing algae to grow.

“Different materials mean surfaces can react in different ways: they could be self-cleaning or quick drying, and some actually mimic a desert beetle! These new materials can help to double the life of a building.”

There is still a strong market

for render, as the move into the UK by Baumit, an Austrian-based manufacturer, has shown. They offer a full range of traditional and synthetic materials.

Ben Warren, managing director at Baumit, said: “Fashions are changing and this goes along with the technology. Our main focus in the UK is EWI and render. Visual effects are quite phenomenal; for example, we can create a wood effect or a sculptured finish.”

One of Baumit’s first projects has been a private passivhaus scheme in Norfolk. FPP Facades installed Baumit’s ‘Open system’ which is a fully breathable EWI system finished with Baumit NanoporTop render finish and a lime render internally.

The materials that now feature on facade finishes are much more sophisticated: there is a mixture, ranging from render through to glass, terracotta and lightweight brick slip and there’s more. Facade finishes are a key component in bringing a building – new or refurbished, large or small – to life.

Sto rainscreen and render have been installed by Stanmore at Nine Elms Point.

SPSenvirowall, supplying the best contractors in the UK with decorative renders

www.specfinish.co.uk 23

LEGAL

www.specfinish.co.uk

roomsmadeforyou.co.uk 24 Advertising 01926 420660

FIS CONFERENCE www.thefis.org

Comment

FIS Conference 2016: Change, Challenge and Opportunity Delegates at the annual FIS Conference experienced a series of insightful presentations and interactive discussions on post-Brexit-themed topics, including outline forecasts for construction markets, recruitment and labour challenges in the finishes and interiors sector, and future implications on BSI standards.

Brexit dominated the 2016 FIS Conference as speakers tried to reassure members, while admitting there were still so many unknowns that nobody could be sure what would happen. A live poll recorded that 74 per cent of the audience had voted to remain in the EU. The packed conference at the St Pierre Marriott hotel near Chepstow heard from Professor Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association.

The normally bullish Professor Francis blasted other economists for their inaccurate doom-laden predictions of immediate recession and stock market collapses.

He said Goldman Sachs had come out within days of the leave vote predicting the economy would fall.

“It was rubbish,” said Professor

Francis, admitting there was early instability but many of the losses were quickly recovered.

He said the lesson was that “it’s unrealistic to forecast accurately five years ahead”. Until the Brexit decision is actually enacted – by the government triggering Article 50 – nobody could know what was going to happen. Professor Francis said his own forecasts would now only run until 2018.

He said immediately post-Brexit nothing changed. Consumer spending continued as nobody had lost their job or had their pay cut.

But investment would fall in the future due to the uncertainty, so economic growth would fall from the current 1.7 per cent – the highest among G7 countries – to just 1 per cent next year.

Silver sponsor

“Brexit doesn’t mean investment falling off a cliff,” he said. He warned that contract awards had fallen 9 per cent in July and August and that large contracts may not be signed. But he predicted that smaller and medium-sized contracts would continue.

Questioned later in the conference, Professor Francis did admit that he believed the economy would go through two quarters of decline – the technical definition of a recession – but that it would be marginal and the impact would not be catastrophic.

Fears that product, business and management standards used across the industry might be sacrificed in the bonfire of EU regulation demanded by Brexiteers were also quashed. Kieran

Parkinson, market development manager at the British Standards Institute (BSI), put the record straight, dispelling two main myths.

The UK is a leading light in setting many of the European and international standards – the standards are not “imposed” from Europe, Mr Parkinson said.

And the European standards bodies CEN and CENELEC are not part of the EU but are private bodies.

CEN, for example, already includes 33 countries, including five non-EU countries – Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, which are members of the European Free Trade Association, plus Macedonia and Turkey. And 75 per cent of CE standards have nothing to do with EU directives or legislation.

Mr Parkinson made clear that this could well continue post-Brexit as BSI is itself not an arm of the UK government but an independent private company established under Royal Charter.

He said: “It is our ambition to remain a member of CEN and CENELEC.” But he warned that excessively hard Brexiteers could ruin that. “The UK government must not take any action to prejudice BSI’s full membership or necessitate a change to the statutes of CEN or CENELEC,” he warned.

Pressed by FIS chief executive David Frise to be explicit about what the government might do in the worst-case scenario, Mr Parkinson clarified that the UK government might insist that UK standards be different from European standards to prevent European firms competing in the UK market. That would be a game changer. The UK would become isolationist.

Recruitment expert Trevor Rees, of Rees Worx, told delegates that whatever happened they could still make the most of the UK market, UK workers and UK opportunities.

He flagged up the business opportunities open to construction firms and explained how to get the best from a well-run recruitment strategy. He warned against “talking ourselves into a recession”.

But, when delegates were asked at the end of the conference if they felt more confident about the future by the end of the day, only 40 per cent said they did. www.specfinish.co.uk 25

FIS CONFERENCE www.specfinish.co.uk

Forecast performance across the sectors The Construction Products Association’s economics director, Professor Noble Francis, outlined how key sectors of the economy were expected to perform.

He said the housing market remained under-supplied and with government subsidy on 27 per cent of new house sales, there would be continued growth. But he warned that if growth slowed and wages failed to keep up with inflation, then that would knock the market.

Uncertainty has hit the commercial sector hardest. The three big retail areas in London – Canary Wharf-Docklands, the City and the West End – account for a staggering one quarter of the UK offices market, he said. They are already at peak, with no room for growth. There is a similar level of activity in Birmingham and Manchester.

Professor Francis warned that he expected commercial office work to fall away in the second half of next year.

26 Advertising 01926 420660

Problems in the retail sector are nothing to do with Brexit, he said. Big supermarkets, which have driven construction business, have been losing out to smaller rivals.

Retail sales are up 6 per cent but online sales have risen 18 per cent, switching the focus to warehouses that do not need the interior finishes of retail units.

Infrastructure was the only area of continuing growth, put at 6 per cent next year and 10 per cent in 2018, with possible interiors work on stations and adjoining commercial towers along the new transport routes. Education is expected to grow and Professor Francis said there would continue to be work in health, but only small to medium-sized projects and not major works.

There may be an opportunity for refurbishment, rather than fit-out, he suggested. There may also be more openings in the regions as companies move work out of London.

He warned that commodity prices would rise. Nearly all soft

standards bodies, and it plans to keep that after Brexit. The European bodies are independent of the EU, so that should be possible, he said.

BSI employs 3,525 people in 76 offices in 30 countries. Many of the world’s standards originated in Britain – none are imposed on Britain by Europe.

Under the rules of the European and international bodies, if a particular country’s standard is chosen to be the base for a new agreed overarching standard, all other countries cease working on The future of their own standards and European standards concentrate on agreeing the A staggering 95 per cent of the international version. work of the BSI is European or Post-Brexit, BSI’s positon on the international, market development international standards bodies is manager Kieran Parkinson told safe, as is its role on the European the Conference. technical standards body ETSI. The BSI has “a seat at the table to “We have had strong support from influence decision-making” on the other members of CEN and European and international CENELEC,” Mr Parkinson said.

wood in the UK comes from Sweden and that has already seen a 17 per cent rise in prices, he said.

Costs for HVAC and wiring were all going up too.

One other fear expressed was that with overseas workers returning home – that is already happening as they are made to feel unwelcome before any scrapping of free-movement rules – there would be increasing skills shortages and a rise in union militancy.

FIS CONFERENCE www.thefis.org

Maximising sector opportunities Recruitment guru Trevor Rees, of Rees Worx, wanted delegates to be positive and to seize opportunities. He flagged up framework projects where construction money was available: • Scape national construction mega framework – £7 billion • EFA new schools construction framework – £6 billion • Public sector framework – £5 billion • P22 healthcare framework – £5 billion Mr Rees said the industry needed to advertise how good it was to make it more attractive to school leavers – he praised the Institution of Civil Engineers for its work in this area.

He also said apprenticeships were an opportunity and firms should try to have apprentices making up 5 per cent of their workforce.

He suggested firms have a recruitment plan and work with professionals. They should publicise and communicate what they do and keep records of potential recruits, even when jobs were not yet available.

He warned that skilled labour from Poland was already returning home as the Polish economy recovered and the UK made them feel unwelcome.

Taking responsibility for skills development Helen Yeulet, the new FIS skills delivery director, said FIS needed to tackle the sector’s training and skill shortage. Her rallying cry came as 72 per cent of delegates said they were struggling to recruit skilled staff.

“We need to step up and take responsibility for training and skills in our sector,” she said. “So the FIS board has decided to spend some of its reserves doing just that. FIS is determined to have the entire industry fully and accurately CSCS carded by 2020, to attract 1,500 new entrants to the sector and to increase the CITB grant claimed by member firms from the current 35 per cent to 50 per cent.”

The FIS CourseSight portal of approved training providers, which automatically updates CSCS cards

once training is completed and automates the claiming of CITB grants, has already established FIS as a leader in the field.

But FIS is not relaxing. Ms Yeulet said she wanted to “sheep dip” all approved trainers – immersing them every year in the sector’s latest technology and skills so they were always at the forefront of best practice.

She said members should be approached for a training needs analysis to confirm what was required.

Help would be given to firms with trainees and FIS would handhold firms wanting to share apprentices. FIS also wanted to develop a recognised continuing professional development (CPD) programme.

FIS is to take on two project managers under Ms Yeulet’s lead, and at least one other project support worker. Chief executive David Frise said this was about FIS giving its members a better service.

Delegates were also told that FIS had agreed a deal with major construction law firm Bond Dickinson to provide members with a free legal helpline. Solicitor Kara Price said members could make four queries a month, including sending documents.

They would get an hour of free advice covering payment terms, contracts, disputes and problems with bonds and warranties.

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org

Two new members join the FIS board FIS elected two new members to the board at its annual elections.

The two newly elected board members are Andrew Jackson, marketing director for commercial carpet provider Shaw Contract Group, and Sean Sibthorpe, senior project manager at fit-out and refurbishment specialist Overbury.

FIS is governed by its elected board of directors which sets its policy and direction.

The full FIS board consists of Steve Coley, Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions (President); Moi Bliss,

Berkeley Integra; Jim Nania, Stortford Interiors; Helen Tapper, Tapper Interiors; Andrew Measom, Measom Dryline; Jonathan Riley, Locker & Riley; Sean Sibthorpe, Overbury (all contractor members); and Andrew Smith, OWA (Vice President); Noel Healy, SIG; Deborah Gore, Encon; John Pryer, British Gypsum; Andrew Jackson, Shaw Contract Group (all supplier members).

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/about-us/board www.specfinish.co.uk 27

MARKET ANALYSIS

CONSTRUCTION SCENARIOS 2016

www.specfinish.co.uk

The commercial sector in uncertain times

Construction Products Association (CPA) economist Amandeep Bahra outlines the latest construction industry scenarios for 2016 with a focus on offices and retail.

and increase 6 per cent as major projects underway in London and UK regional cities are unlikely to pause for a breath, especially those that have confirmed demand through pre-lets.

Investor confidence was certainly impacted ahead of the referendum and dipped even further following the Brexit vote, but this is likely to weigh on new contract awards that will eventually filter into lower activity 12 months later. If you recall, two high-profile speculative office developments in the City of London were paused for re-evaluation following the Brexit vote. Keeping all this in mind, we anticipate offices construction activity to contract 5 per cent in both 2017 and 2018.

Consumer confidence was similarly affected in the immediate aftermath of the referendum, with GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index recording its sharpest fall in 21 years in July before recovering somewhat in August.

However, like with any other economic indicator, we shouldn’t read too much into this variation as yet. Consumer sentiment is likely to remain unsettled in the near-term and as this translates into lower spending, prospects for the retail sector are far from bright. Our central scenario envisages three years of contracting retail construction activity, although this is largely attributed to the ongoing shift from bricks and mortar to online retail.

It would be incredibly naive to place all your bets on the central scenario given the dark clouds of uncertainty that give rise to two other scenarios.

A lower case scenario…

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has left analysts wandering in an economic and political maze without a map. Attempts to navigate through this have seen a range of speculations and theories brought to the table.

However, these rough estimates still do not provide a clear path of growth for commercial – the largest construction industry sector in the UK. This doesn’t come as a surprise, given the level of uncertainty and lack of hard data in the post-referendum period that makes forecasting incredibly tricky. In light of this, the CPA has taken a ‘scenarios’ approach, outlining three possible cases for the next three years that will very much depend on how the macroeconomic backdrop unfolds.

Offices and, to a lesser extent, retail are seen as the most vulnerable sub-sectors within 28 Advertising 01926 420660

commercial to the uncertainty created in the aftermath of the referendum. Five months on, and questions regarding the impact of the Brexit vote on these sectors only seem to grow more insistent, and this is likely to remain the case until a new relationship is established with the EU – something that could take many years. In the meantime, like many, we are left to ponder over the near-term prospects for offices and retail. So, what should we expect?

The central view

In the first case – CPA’s central scenario – we anticipate growth in commercial offices to remain in positive territory in 2016

Our central scenario anticipates UK economic growth to slow down in the second half of 2016 amid uncertainty, with the economy narrowly avoiding recession. But, what if there was a prolonged period of uncertainty and economic contraction? The subsequent impact on business and consumer confidence and, in turn, business investment and consumer spending is likely to be more pronounced than under the central scenario.

Consumer spending will additionally bear the brunt of higher import prices due to the exchange rate weakness and although this would also be the case in the central and upper scenarios, the risk is given more credence in the lower scenario. Another consequence of the sterling depreciation is a fall in commercial property prices and foreign investors would effectively trade-off this against uncertainty over returns.

As a result, a lower appetite in the higher risk environment wins. This, alongside a drop in investor demand, will particularly dent speculative developments.

CONSTRUCTION SCENARIOS 2016

MARKET ANALYSIS www.thefis.org

warehousing, suggesting that retail construction activity is still expected to contract in this case, in 2016 and 2017, albeit at a lower rate than under the lower and central scenarios.

Meanwhile, offices activity is estimated to expand at 7 per cent in 2016 under the upper scenario, with smaller declines pencilled in for 2017 and 2018. This assumes the security of long-term leases will underpin demand for office space, whilst the recent sterling depreciation will attract higher investments from overseas that will cushion any sharp falls in activity.

But where do we stand?

Based on this, a lower growth rate of 4 per cent is estimated for offices this year followed by double-digit contractions in 2017 and 2018. In terms of retail, construction activity is expected to contract in the three years of our forecast period.

…and an upper scenario

Of course, optimistic developments cannot be overlooked. In this case – the upper scenario –

we assume the economic and political situation stabilises, providing some degree of certainty that would inevitably boost confidence.

As consumers respond to this, via higher spending, retailers are expected to continue with their expansion plans. But, as we have seen in recent years, the trend towards e-commerce spending is still expected to continue. Consequently, expansion plans are likely to be focused around

PODIUM PLATFORM

In all these scenarios, it is clear that post-referendum uncertainty will somewhat hinder offices and retail construction in the short-term but it will surely not fall off a cliff.

As far as the medium-term is concerned, whether the sectors fit in the lower, central or upper scenario, this will only be clearer once more data emerges that will allow us to better gauge the ramifications of Brexit in 2017 and 2018. But even so, uncertainty will still hover in the background and the true direction of growth for these sectors will only be revealed once a new bridge is established between the UK and EU.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

www.thefis.org

How to manage Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome in construction On-site machinery poses all kinds of risks aside from the obvious.

Most risk assessments will account for crush-type injuries, but do yours consider long-term risks associated with equipment use?

What is Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome?

Just as extended exposure to dust can cause all manner of respiratory illnesses, so can heavy industrial machinery, which has its own long-term risks. By far the most common of these is Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

HAVS – also known as dead finger, vibration white finger and VWF – is caused by extended use of vibrating machinery, such as pneumatic drills. Over time, the vibration causes damage to blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints, typically in the hand, fingers and wrist.

Initially, the effects of HAVS are relatively mild: at the end of the day, workers may notice a slight tingling in their fingertips, and possibly some whiteness. Left unchecked, however, the symptoms become more severe with the whole finger becoming white and the sense of touch becoming dulled.

As the condition progresses, the symptoms become more like Reynaud’s syndrome (which HAVS is closely related to). Sufferers will find that damage to the blood vessels in their hands causes their fingers to change colour, particularly when cold. Because blood flow is restricted, the fingers turn white, but when blood flow is restored, the fingers turn an intense red, accompanied by uncomfortable throbbing.

At its worst, HAVS affects the nerves and muscles of the hands and arms. Affected workers will experience a temporary loss of manual dexterity, accompanied by excruciating pain. These attacks may last several hours,

during which time they will be unable to work – or even carry out many basic tasks at home.

There is also a risk, in extreme cases, that damaged blood vessels and reduced blood flow could lead to the loss of fingers.

Why is prevention of HAVS so important?

HAVS is a progressive disease.

When left unchecked, the symptoms can become debilitating for the affected person to the point that they can’t work at all. And as an employer, you have a legal duty to reduce the risk of your employees developing conditions such as HAVS at work.

To date, the UK government has paid over £100 million to former coalminers who have developed HAVS as a direct result of their work activities. One case saw seven miners awarded £127,000 each in compensation – and private employers face similar fines where their negligence causes workers to develop this condition.

Although HAVS is completely preventable, it is incurable. You have a duty to stop your workers from developing the condition, because it cannot be ‘fixed’.

What practical safeguards can you put in place?

HAVS injuries are caused by vibrations at frequencies within the range of 50 to 300Hz. The International Standards Organisation has drawn up the ISO 5349-1:2001 standard (Mechanical vibration. Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration. General requirements) to help calculate the risk posed by machinery to workers.

Safe limits have already been defined The HSE has gone a step further, giving construction tools an Exposure Action Value (EAV). The EAV clearly indicates how long a

machine may be used before vibration exposure reaches harmful levels, and action needs to be taken. The HSE even provides a useful ready reckoner for calculating daily vibration exposure limits where only the vibration frequency is known. This can be viewed online at www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/ readyreckoner.htm As you draw up a site risk assessment plan, these figures will help you allocate work and ensure employees are not exposed beyond the acceptable limits. You can also plan how best to share workloads, and provide workers with regular breaks to further reduce risks. If your project has a particularly strict deadline, you will need to allow for enough workers to cope with the safe working time limits.

Protect against HAVS with specific PPE In some cases, you could consider the use of anti-vibration gloves or similar to provide additional protection. It is important to note that these kinds of personal protective equipment (PPE) are designed to protect against vibrations at specific frequencies, so you must choose the appropriate gloves for the tools being used. Using gloves calibrated to the wrong frequencies will be ineffective and offer little or no additional protection.

The reality is that PPE provides some protection, but strict adherence to time limits is far more effective. HAVS is a life-changing industrial disease – but it is completely preventable.

Get in touch for advice on minimising the risk of your workers developing HAVS. FIND OUT MORE DAVID CANT Veritas Consulting www.veritas-consulting.co.uk www.specfinish.co.uk 31

TRAINING www.specfinish.co.uk

Skills Hub: training and learning for the sector Training! How do I find out what qualifications are needed to get on-site? Where can I find the right course? How can I claim back grant from CITB? Who delivers the training I need in my area?

What skills do I need if I want to do something different? Helen Yeulet, skills delivery director for FIS, highlights how the answers to these questions can be found in the new online Skills Hub.

“Careers information on getting started within the finishes and interiors sector allows users to gain valuable insight into the different job roles available. Users can then locate and book training through the Find a Course section, which leads them directly to the new FIS CourseSight training platform.”

Dave Hall, British Gypsum’s National Technical Academy manager, commented: “Skills Hub will support the drive towards a qualified workforce within the finishes and interiors sector. With the impending closure of Construction Related Occupation (CRO) cards forcing people to find the qualification The Stockerl report highlighted the provide access to the most suitable that relates to their trade, we have witnessed an increase for Interior training courses while also need for the answers to the Systems (Dry Lining Finishers) NVQ questions above to be made easily supplying information on how Level 2 qualification. to claim grant back or access and centrally accessible to all “Now that Skills Hub provides any additional funding that may workers within the finishes and dates for assessments and be available in your area. Along interiors sector. Along with the experienced worker practical with highlighting job vacancies, new FIS website in September assessment routes for this Skills Hub also provides detailed came Skills Hub (www.thefis. qualification, it is even easier to explanations on what is required org/skills-hub), which is being simplify the route, which can often for particular roles within the developed to deliver all of this information – and more. Skills Hub sector, looking at the qualifications be a minefield for employers who needed and what it’s like to do the want to qualify their workforce.” is the sector’s one-stop-shop for anything contractors need to know job on-site.

The managing director of training Working to close the skills gap about training and careers.

It is common knowledge that the provider Now Get Qualified, Dan skills gap is the single biggest issue Plosky, has been exploring this The new FIS Skills Hub in the finishes and interiors sector new FIS information resource. He The government’s change in approach to education is increasing highlighted: “The user-friendly Skills today, and FIS is seriously uncertainty around the skills arena Hub area provides instant access to committed to investing to make a useful FIS training and membership difference and close this gap over for the sector and having a direct the next two years. Skills Hub will links. Members can view industry impact on both qualifications and be the place to go for anyone in news as well as potential funding the funding to deliver training. the sector looking to access the With this in mind, the need to train opportunities to see how they can be used to support apprenticeships new services provided by FIS. has become even greater.

Whether trying to recruit an and upskilling of their team.

FIS has developed Skills Hub to

32 Advertising 01926 420660

apprentice for the first time – find the right person, the right college, understand how to mentor and access the maximum funding – or making sure that you and your team have the right level of qualifications to be on-site, Skills Hub will provide the information required.

Helen Tapper is finance director at fit-out specialists Tapper Interiors and a member of the FIS board. She commented: “FIS is investing heavily in the area of training to secure relevant direct funding from the CITB and help members locate the best training for their companies and obtain the grants required to carry out this training.

“A centralised system of course information, course location, pricing and funding – as Skills Hub delivers – is such a bonus for busy contracting companies and industry professionals alike. It saves time and resources and gives the confidence that all information is relevant and up to date.

“Training is the backbone of the sector and will help all members to invest in their workforce and, in turn, help the sector to thrive.”

FIS is keen to ensure that Skills Hub is continually developed to meet the needs of the sector and is looking for people who will be prepared to share their ideas on an ongoing basis. If you’re keen to be involved, please email training@thefis.org FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/skills-hub

TRAINING www.thefis.org

Hundreds of sector-specific training courses available on FIS CourseSight Following the launch of the first phase of CourseSight to FIS-approved training providers over the summer, hundreds of training courses have been posted on the portal and thousands of pounds’ worth of online bookings have been made.

The FIS CourseSight portal, which sits within Skills Hub on the new FIS website, brings together details of training courses for the finishes and interiors sector and manages every aspect of training course administration, searching and booking through to passing information to SkillSight for updating individuals’ CSCS cards.

FIS approves specific training providers on the portal, highlighting these with an ‘Approved Provider’ status.

Through CourseSight, FIS is developing a network of training providers and colleges that can deliver the right training in the right place for members and provide nationwide coverage, so that all member companies can source training that fits their own business needs.

Training providers are monitored and must meet minimum standards of assessment and workplace provision in order to be considered and maintain their preferred FIS status. Working with likeminded and skilled trainers and assessors who are sympathetic to the needs of FIS member businesses is a key part of the service, meaning not every college or training provider fits the specification.

Neil Milne, managing director of Vela Training in Liverpool, said: “Working with FIS members gives us access to knowledge within the sector and enables us to identify skills gaps and hard-to-reach organisations that require training and qualifications.”

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

Basingstoke College opens interiors workshop A new construction block at Basingstoke College of Technology introduced as part of a major refurbishment to the construction department means that students can now study a wider variety of construction training courses, including those specific to the finishes and interiors sector.

Thanks to a new dedicated interiors workshop, the college now offers Diploma 2 in Interior Systems on a full-time basis and as an NVQ on day release. Apprentices from FIS member Vitec Ceilings and Partitions have been attending on day release since September.

More than 60 students have enrolled onto the variety of new courses available with 16 studying full-time on the Diploma in Interior Systems and eight on the NVQ, with space currently available for additional students.

FIND OUT MORE andy.foster@bcot.ac.uk

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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 Members’ Meetings Manchester Renaissance Hotel, Manchester 15 November 2016 (2–6pm)

Welcome to new FIS members HCIP Ltd www.huddersfieldinteriors.co.uk Providers of building refurbishment services within the Yorkshire region.

Dancor Acoustics Ltd www.dancor.co.uk Specialist subcontractors providing partitioning, drylining, suspended ceilings, fire protection, facades and screening.

Allgood plc www.allgood.co.uk Suppliers of doorsets, ironmongery, security systems and washroom solutions.

FIS reveals winners at Scottish Awards Lunch 2016 The first FIS Scottish Awards Lunch took place in September with a special awards ceremony at the George Hotel in Edinburgh to celebrate high-quality projects from across Scotland. Guest speaker Sandy Strang announced the award winners.

Axis Solutions scooped the Gold Interior Fit Out award with Scotwood Interiors taking Silver; Brian Hendry Interiors won Gold in the Drywall Construction category with the Silver award going to Astins.

In the Plasterwork category, Gold, the only award, went to David Fisher & Sons of Edinburgh; and in the Suspended Ceilings section, Roskel Contracts secured Gold with Carter Ceilings being awarded Silver. Worksmart picked up the Partitioning Gold with Silver going to North Group.

Veitchi Interiors took the Judges’ Award; and CCF was named as Supplier of the Year.

The finishes and interiors sector also awarded Scott Boyle, from Brian Hendry Interiors in Glasgow,

Scottish Apprentice of the Year with Stephen Hart of Worksmart named as runner-up.

Forza Doors sponsored the lunch, with SIG Interiors sponsoring both the Interior Fit Out and Partitioning categories and CCF sponsoring Apprentice of the Year.

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org/events/scottishawardslunch

work as general construction labourers upon release.

The scheme has been heavily over-subscribed and the latest module saw participant numbers increase from the regular eight to 12.

MACS chief executive Tom McLoughlin said: Luton-based MACS Plasterboard Systems has “We have a wide-spread labour shortage throughout completed its fourth Drylining and Plastering the construction industry, including in our own Training module at Highpoint South prison in sector of drylining and plastering. Our involvement Suffolk, and plans to expand its training work within with HMP Highpoint goes much further than just the UK prison system. developing more workers for construction. It’s our Since early 2016, MACS has been regularly chance to give people who have made mistakes in entering the Category C Highpoint South prison, life the opportunity to get their lives back on track along with the support of its partners Saint-Gobain and become valued members of society.”

UK, British Gypsum and Gibbs & Dandy, to teach prisoners key skills as part of a specially designed FIND OUT MORE curriculum which intends to help offenders obtain www.macsplasterboards.co.uk

MACS provides training at HMP Highpoint

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

The Knowledge Hub is the place for documents and guides covering the topics of contractual and legal, employment, technical, health and safety, sustainability and business management.

Training and learning resources can be found in the Skills Hub, making it easy for contractors to access and book relevant courses and find 34 Advertising 01926 420660

out about the qualifications needed for career progression. See page 32 for a detailed look at the Skills Hub. For FIS members – and those wishing to join the FIS Community – there’s the Membership Hub. This zone will help existing FIS members to make the most of their membership and will also provide information on FIS events, publications and membership benefits to those interesting in joining the voice of the finishes and interiors sector.

FIND OUT MORE www.thefis.org

FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.thefis.org

Bespoke installs ceilings for new London restaurant Bespoke Drywall has completed ceiling installation work at an exciting new Covent Garden restaurant – Eneko at One Aldwych – which is the first in London for Michelin-starred Eneko Atxa.

During the eight-week project, Bespoke installed MF ceilings, MF feature bulkheads, GRG curved

bulkheads, independent wall linings, suspended grid ceilings, an ornate rotunda and atrium MF bulkheads.

The new Basque restaurant and bar opened in September.

FIND OUT MORE www.bespokedrywall.com

Saracen Interiors completes fit-out work for Yum! Workplace consultant Saracen Interiors has completed works for Yum! Restaurants International at the fast food company’s UK headquarters in Woking, Surrey. Saracen has worked with Yum! for over 13 years, providing George Jackson has been carrying out the fibrous a one-stop-shop of small works for the plastering works for the expansion of the highly acclaimed company’s restaurant portfolio, which The Ivy restaurant group. The George Jackson team have had includes KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. to work to short timescales while delivering exceptional quality Recent works at Yum!’s Surrey offices during this fast-moving rollout of new restaurants at locations included HVAC alterations and across London, including Marylebone, High Street Kensington, modifications; the installation of five Wimbledon, St Johns Wood and Soho. suspended acoustic ceiling rafts; feature pendant lights and LED spotlights; FIND OUT MORE 27965 Solutions for Subcontractors AD 188x130_Layout 1 23/09/2015 16:10 Page 1 power and data works; and carpet www.georgejackson.com

repair works and decoration of all meeting rooms. The fast-track project was finished within a fortnight, with the majority of work completed out of office hours to minimise disruption.

Amanda Bellia, facilities manager for Yum! Restaurants International, commented: “Our relationship with Saracen has gone from strength to strength and we value the fast delivery and smooth handover that have become the key characteristics of their work for us.”

George Jackson works on The Ivy Market Grill rollout

FIND OUT MORE www.saraceninteriors.com

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