SpecFinish - July 2017

ÂŁ3.50 July 2017

www.specfinish.co.uk

Contractors Awards showcase sector excellence Page 19

Ceilings: Smart design delivers performance p10

Technical: Issues with plasterboard margins p12

Legal: Understanding letters of intent p16

www.specfinish.co.uk

INSIDE THE JULY

ISSUE OF SPECFINISH

04 Voice of the industry: A bit

more uncertainty... but plenty to offer

10 Feature: Consider the options

to achieve the desired ceiling performance

12 Technical: A look at the issues

with plasterboard margins 15 Skills & Training: HBF and FIS

drylining initiative to boost

house building skills training 16 Legal: Time and clarity and letters of intent

17 Legal: Collateral warranties 19

FIS Contractors Awards 2017: Celebrating successful projects across the finishes and interiors sector

FRONT COVER: SCS Building Solutions’ SFS work at Victoria Gate in Leeds took category Gold and was named Project of the Year at the 2017 Contractors Awards.

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

Printer: Emmerson Press

02 Advertising 01926 420660

Fire engulfs tower block in minutes Fire engulfed a 24-storey residential tower block in North Kensington, West London, last month with tragic consequences for residents trapped in the blaze.

The fire started in a fourth-floor flat at Grenfell Tower and spread up the outside of the building in minutes. At the time of going to press, the number of fatalities was more than 75.

Built in 1974, Grenfell Tower is managed by the Kensington & Chelsea TMO on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Rydon recently carried out an £8.6 million refurbishment.

Harley Facades installed ACM rainscreen over clad, replacement windows, curtain walling, louvres and feature metalwork.

David Frise, FIS chief executive, said: “We are all shocked by the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower

and our thoughts are with those that have been affected by the incident.

“Although we may not know the cause of this tragedy, we will all recognise the culture that delivered it. This is likely to be a pivotal moment for the construction industry and we can expect to see significant change as a result.”

The new FIS Special Interest Forum for Passive Fire Safety met last month to consider how the finishes and interiors sector should strengthen standards and guidance around fire prevention.

Members interested in being part of the group should email info@thefis.org FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

Housebuilding drives Preparation works major construction growth cause of on-site inefficiency during May UK construction experienced a sharp rebound in business activity during May, helped by the fastest upturn in residential work since the end of 2015. The latest IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI survey also revealed a sustained recovery in new work, following the soft patch seen during the first quarter of 2017.

May’s PMI survey data revealed that the UK construction sector has started to recover strongly from its slow start to 2017. Increased workloads also encouraged greater staff recruitment and a marked expansion of input buying across the construction sector. Meanwhile, imported materials have pushed up cost but the overall rate of input price inflation eased.

Tim Moore, senior economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI, said: “House building was the key growth driver, with work on residential projects rising at the fastest pace since December 2015. A sustained rebound in residential building provides an encouraging sign that the recent soft patch for property values has not deterred new housing supply. Instead, strong labour market conditions, resilient demand and ultra-low mortgage rates appear to have helped boost work on residential development projects in May. “Civil engineering continued to flourish; however, commercial building was trapped in the slow lane amid reports highlighting that heightened economic uncertainty is holding back client spending.”

As part of a joint study with BRE (Building Research Establishment), Etex Building Performance has found that preparation works, such as measuring and cutting boards, account for up to one-third of wasted or non-value added time on-site.

The research project assessed the speed of installation for different drywall systems on a live multi-residential refurbishment site, including taping and jointing, twin frame and single frame partition systems. In addition to the time lost due to preparation works, the research showed that time spent handling materials was responsible for just under one-fifth (18 per cent) of inefficient working.

A comparison between the benefits of using tape and jointing finishing over the widely-used skimming plaster technique also found that, if managed properly, tape and jointing offered the highest output rates in terms of apartment units completed over time.

Neil Ash, managing director for Etex Building Performance UK, commented on the findings: “The UK needs to boost its productivity across all areas of its economy. Driving on-site efficiencies in the construction sector in particular is vital to meeting housebuilding and development targets. This research highlights how small innovations can add up to big efficiencies. Simple changes, such as making materials quicker to cut or easier to handle, can drive significant improvements for the drylining sector and construction projects as a whole.”

FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

FIND OUT MORE www.specfinish.co.uk

www.thefis.org

FIS launches Client Guide to Office Fit-Out and Refurbishment A new guide from FIS aims to assist clients through the fit-out and refurbishment process, CLIENT guIdE taking in all aspects from the initial decision OFFICe FIt-Out and reFurbIshment whether to smarten-up a current office or relocate and fit-out new premises through to post-occupancy evaluation.

For many clients, creating an office fit-out that suits their business needs, their customers and staff – and having it happen on time, to specification and to budget – can seem daunting. This new Client Guide to Office FitOut and Refurbishment explains the process step by step and outlines the professional help available to ensure a successful outcome.

The guide will enable contractors to demonstrate that they follow best practice. For architects and designers, the guide can be used to aid their clients in understanding the fit-out process, highlighting the importance of design.

FIS launched its Client Guide to Office Fit-Out and Refurbishment at Clerkenwell Design Week in May. A digital version of the guide can be downloaded from the FIS website, and FIS members can request a free single copy by emailing info@thefis.org

FIS unveils winners of Contractors Awards 2017

www.thefis.org

DSP (Interiors) picked up Gold in the Interior Fit Out – Under £1m category at the Contractors Awards. Its project (pictured) to transform two commercial units at Silverstone Park into the new UK headquarters for KTM Sportmotorcycle was described by the judges as being an “excellent installation”.

The Awards were announced at the annual FIS Awards Lunch, held at The Dorchester Hotel, London, on 6 June.

FIND OUT MORE Turn to pages 19 to 22 for this year’s winning projects

DOWNLOAD THE NEW GUIDE www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications

SuperPhon® Sound Absorption & Reverberation Control

The SuperPhon® range of Sound Absorption Solutions Available on superior lead times, the SuperPhon® range provides the ideal solution for environments where noise can be an issue.

An effective means of controlling reverberation and reflected sound in rooms such as schools, recording studios and call centres.

• • • • •

Wall Panel Systems High Impact Wall Panels Ceilings & High Impact Grids Suspended Baffles Horizontal Rafts

Contact our technical/sales team on

Scotland: 01698 356000 Central & Southern: 01925 577711 info@cmsdanskin.co.uk

www.cmsdanskin.co.uk

This advert is a general guide and specific technical advice is recommended before proceeding with any transaction. Full technical information available from your local office.

www.specfinish.co.uk 03

COMMENT & OPINION www.specfinish.co.uk

Editor’s column

Safety and quality remain top priority The events of last month’s fire at Grenfell Tower in West London highlight the key role that fire protection plays in modern construction. What is important is that we all learn from events and take steps to reinforce the importance of protecting standards.

The horrific incident brings back memories of the 2009 tragedy at Lakanal House in Camberwell, South London. The 2013 inquest into that incident said that numerous opportunities were missed to remedy botched renovation work that compromised fire-stopping between flats.

In the weeks following the tragic incident at Grenfell Tower, FIS has shown leadership.

At its newly formed FIS Special Interest Forum for Passive Fire Safety last month, leaders from across our sector met to consider how the finishes and interiors sector should strengthen standards and guidance around fire prevention. What a positive response.

Specialist contractors go to great lengths to ensure that standards of installations are of the highest quality. Thankfully, events similar to those at Grenfell Tower are very rare.

Promoting best practice was at the fore when the finishes and interiors sector celebrated the highest standards of workmanship at the annual FIS Awards last month (turn to page 19). Yet again, the winners should be congratulated. Taking pride in what we all do is essential and goes a long way towards ensuring that shared experiences help to raise standards and deliver buildings we are all proud of.

And helping to deliver award-winning projects is our skilled workforce. The new CITB-funded pilot training course, developed by the Home Builders Federation’s Skills Partnership in collaboration with FIS Skills and Saint-Gobain (turn to page 15), comes at a time when we are still trying to plug the skills gap. Clearly, traditional sources of skills training are failing to meet the current level of demand. Without more innovative initiatives such as this, the finishes and interiors sector could struggle to meet its obligations because of a lack of the necessary resources – it’s an industry-wide issue not just a sector problem.

All parts of the supply chain have to engage much more with communities to ensure that we attract new entrants into our sector. If we don’t have the necessary new skills, we will struggle to deliver on our top priority.

Adrian JG Marsh Editor 04 Advertising 01926 420660

A bit more uncertainty… but plenty to offer After a 12-month period full of surprises, I guess it shouldn’t really have come as a surprise to find that we now have a period of political uncertainty to add to the general uncertainty generated by Brexit.

They say you get the politicians you deserve, but, really, are we this bad? Two prime ministers in a row have, through a combination of arrogance, contempt for the electorate and ineptitude, plunged the UK into an uncertain future. A hung parliament effectively erases the Conservative Party manifesto of any of the contentious policies such as social care – the so-called dementia tax – and will see them replaced with bland DUP-approved policies that do not upset one side in Northern Ireland.

In June 2016, we were looking at a period of sustained growth and had a stable, if flawed, relationship with our nearest neighbours and biggest market in the EU. All that the majority of business leaders had to consider was their investment plans for the future: should we build that new factory, invest in new technology or hire additional staff?

Now, 12 months later, the abiding sentiment in the business community is one of uncertainty – and uncertainty is the enemy of investment decision-making.

Doing a deal with the DUP may be politically expedient but it comes at the risk of unravelling the delicate balance that is politics in Northern Ireland. The leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Ruth Davidson, has said that she puts country and her beliefs before party. If only Mr Cameron and

Mrs May had done that instead of carrying out their opportunistic referendum and election gambles, both of which spectacularly backfired.

So, what now for Brexit? Hard, soft or open? One thing became evident during the election campaign that was called to give Mrs May a mandate for a Brexit deal: the government clearly has no idea what a post-Brexit UK will look like. We were left with banal clichés such as “no deal is better than a bad deal”.

Far from being “bloody difficult”, our prime minister just looked inept and over confident.

She completely handed the initiative to the EU negotiators by triggering Article 50 to set the two-year deadline, then calling and losing her majority in the election.

At the time of writing, negotiations are shortly due to start on Brexit. Is it possible to imagine a worse run-up to those negotiations?

Unsurprisingly, the Europeans are scratching their heads about what we want.

Despite all of that, the UK remains a great place to do business and invest. Where else in the world can you find a fair legal system, a skilled workforce, a good banking system and an openness to foreign investment? I would add a stable political system, as chaotic as it currently appears.

So, there is something to look forward to, provided the politicians can start to make progress on the Brexit negotiations.

DAVID FRISE FIS chief executive www.thefis.org

VIEWPOINT

www.thefis.org

The devil is in the detail Paul Aubrey, divisional director at SAS International, talks about how the growing number of new regulations makes it essential for specialist contractors to carefully assess tender details and identify anomalies early on.

The idiom ‘the devil is in the detail’ is often used to mean that although something might seem simple, there could be a mysterious element hidden in the details. This phrase is more pertinent in today’s construction industry than at any other time. Five years ago, specifications were steered by aesthetics, performance and sustainability; now, a more socially driven standard is also shaping the agenda. With the rising levels of sector benchmarks and quality standards, how do you manage these demands and guidelines?

Increasingly, all members of the supply chain, from designer to installer, are asked to satisfy Health Building Notes for healthcare projects, Building Bulletins within education, and countless documents covering carbon emissions, VOCs, acoustics and many other important matters.

Additionally, there is a new initiative to enhance wellbeing and productivity for building occupiers developed to retain staff and improve visitor experience.

With this in mind, it is vitally important that specialist

contractors properly assess and familiarise themselves with the details of new regulations to ensure that anomalies are identified and addressed early in the process.

Contained within each tender enquiry there is a growing volume of these documents and often they are not included in their entirety but simply referenced within specifications. Adding to this, as the responsibility transfers to the tendering contractor, many of the documents are not only open to interpretation but may conflict with other criteria within

Comprehensive Product Range Nationwide Delivery Service & Advice you can trust

the specifications or drawings.

Recently, a client approached us with the aim to achieve the new WELL Building Standard. Calling for a minimum light reflectance value of 80 per cent across the ceiling, the criteria clashed with the aesthetic design for the space, which consisted of large, open, expanded metal panels – two drivers immediately at conflict. To identify issues in the tender criteria and reduce risk to the project, specialist contractors need to check the specification carefully and recognise potential contradictions before approaching the manufacturer.

Whether you are undertaking work in a new sector or taking on a new standard, take the time to review all the information and remember, ‘the devil is in the detail’.

PAUL AUBREY SAS International Divisional director – UK www.sasint.co.uk

To request a quote or to find your local branch visit www.ccfltd.co.uk

www.specfinish.co.uk 05

PRODUCTS

www.specfinish.co.uk

Rockfon rows to the challenge

Rockfon Mono Acoustic has been installed at Dorney Lake’s impressive Boathouse function room, the ‘Lake View Room’, to create a unique wave ceiling design inspired by the waterside view.

The brief for the event and conference room revamp was to reintegrate the space’s identity with Dorney Lake’s Olympic legacy – the GB rowing team won 12 medals on the lake in London 2012.

The smooth, elegant render and even whiter surface of Rockfon Mono Acoustic brings together the seamless clean lines associated with traditional plastered surfaces and has performance characteristics thought only possible with modular suspended ceiling and wall systems.

In total, 270m2 of Rockfon Mono Acoustic was installed with Flecto edge panels used to produce the curved shape to echo the flow of the lake. www.rockfon.co.uk

Knauf Aquapanel ceiling system for wet interiors and exteriors Knauf now provides a one-stop-shop for interior and exterior ceiling design and specification where protection against high humidity and chemicals is required.

The new Knauf Aquapanel cement boards are combined with high-quality products to provide a full exterior and interior ceiling system supplied by a single manufacturer. The boards are water-resistant and made from inorganic materials which prevent mildew from spreading.

Unique to the market, the Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Ceiling System is a high-performance, economical and sustainable solution, ideal for situations where ceilings are exposed to moisture, wind-loading and coastal environments. The Knauf Aquapanel Interior Ceiling System is ideal where moisture is present in internal environments, such as swimming pools, bathrooms and spa rooms. www.knauf.co.uk

Kingspan’s Kooltherm K100 range expands Kingspan Insulation has introduced two new boards to its innovative Kooltherm K100 range that delivers lower U-values with a minimal construction thickness.

The new Kooltherm K112 Framing Board and K107 Pitched Roof Board have an advanced, fibre-free insulation core with a thermal conductivity of just 0.018 W/mK across all available board thicknesses, the lowest for any rigid phenolic insulation board. This revolutionary composition offers architects, specifiers and builders the freedom to design and construct buildings with inherently outstanding fabric performance, without having to compromise on internal space.

All Kooltherm K100 products are manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and very low Global Warming Potential (GWP). The insulation boards are non-deleterious, easy to handle and install, and are unaffected by air infiltration. www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk

Armstrong reveals new TLS ceiling grid A new highly engineered ceiling suspension system that is up to 20 per cent quicker to install is now available from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions.

Armstrong describes the functionality of its new Prelude 24mm TLS cross tees as being characterised by three key elements: simple, stable and solid. It is simple and safe to install due to a secure hook design; it aligns and sets into position with an audible click, guaranteeing ceiling stability and self-squaring; and it features a solid clip manufactured from pre-shaped steel, for stronger and more secure connections that lock into place.

The pre-shaped Prelude 24mm TLS cross tee has an ergonomic design that ensures it is faster to install and demount from the universal main runner. The system lies flush to the main runner, providing specifiers with a streamlined aesthetic to the fully finished ceiling. Benefits for installers include increased rigidity and control rotation delivered through the pre-shaped embossments on the clip. www.armstrongceilings.co.uk 06 Advertising 01926 420660

Bespoke walls from EOS on Court No.1 EOS Facades has been commissioned to create two perimeter walls for Court No.1 at Wimbledon Tennis & Croquet Club. EOS delivered a fully inclusive service of design, supply and scheduling, with Plater as the installation contractor.

The bespoke solution, which consists of curved inner and outer walls that extend the entire circumference of the building, conceals the mechanism of a new open/close roof structure being built. EOS applied a lightweight solution to create an integral masking screen that virtually eliminates any sign of the industrial support infrastructure.

The court-side inner wall was completed in April this year with the outer wall scheduled for construction following the 2017 Championships. www.eos-facades.co.uk

I ns ula t io n

PRODUCTS

http://www.specfinish.co.uk/products/

Choose your weapon of warmth

Bonded or fixed, the new lower-lambda Kingspan K118 Insulated Plasterboard can be applied in two ways - you decide.

• Lower-lambda, premium performance phenolic insulation – thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/m•K for all thicknesses • Ideal for refurbishment – lower-lambda insulation makes the most of internal floor space • Class 0 fire rating • Insulation, dry–lining and vapour control in one board

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/k118

Further information on the Kingspan range is available on: +44 (0) 1544 387 384 literature@kingspaninsulation.co.uk

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk

Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA, UK ®

Kingspan Kooltherm and the Lion Device are Registered Trademarks of the Kingspan Group plc in the UK and other countries. All rights reserved.

www.specfinish.co.uk 07

PRODUCTS

www.specfinish.co.uk

Wondertex supplies champion products The professional drylining range of products from Wondertex has been used at the Aston Villa ground.

Decorating contractor ADR Decorators was contracted to complete the drywall prep within two rooms at the football club and selected Wondertex products prem filler, prem finish, prem fill & finish rapid, and a selection of tapes, to prepare the site for decoration.

Prem filler, a plasterboard joint filler, has a soft, workable density and smooth texture allowing for outstanding product application.

And prem finish, specially developed for hand and machine jointing, was used for the finishing of all plasterboard joints.

Wondertex’s prem fill & finish rapid is a powder blend rapid setting filler and smoother designed for plasterboard jointing as well as smoothing unwanted textured surfaces. www.wondertex.co.uk

Sektor’s glazed partitions set the style for unique interior

Ocula Systems has introduced a range of flush glazed doors.

The doors are constructed by face bonding back-painted toughened safety glass to an aluminium frame and have a 65cm back-painted border that conceals the aluminium framework and locking mechanism.

When hung in an Ocula aluminium door frame, the new flush glazed doors can achieve an acoustic performance of up to 41dB Rw. Design flexibility is provided through offset and inline pivot hanging options, a choice of any RAL coloured polyester powder-coated frame and glass, and many manifestations to ensure compliance with Building Regulations Document M. The new doors are available in thicknesses of 54mm and 44mm, as single or double, and up to 3m high and 1m wide.

Glazed partitions from interior solutions provider Sektor have helped to create an innovative and bespoke scheme for office design specialist Space Solutions in Glasgow.

Space Solutions’ brief outlined requirements for an eye-catching result for its creative team and Sektor recommended glazed partitions to create a bright and open atmosphere and provide the option for customisation with glazing graphics.

Sektor 25 and Sektor 85 systems were selected for their minimalist and sleek profile, thanks to the use of crystalline PETg dry-glazed glass-to-glass joints.

For added detail and aesthetic appeal, the aluminium channel profiles were integrated with bespoke timber door frames for a sophisticated finish.

Rachel Sullivan, category manager for ceilings and partitioning at CCF, said: “Creating an inspirational working environment was of the utmost importance for Space Solutions, which is why the Sektor range of flexible and customisable partitioning solutions were the perfect fit.”

www.oculasystems.co.uk

www.sektorinteriors.com

Range expansion for Ocula Systems

Allgood boosts fire safety for university Allgood ironmongery and doorsets are helping to provide exceptional fire safety at the new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) facilities at Kingston University, London.

The new chemistry and pharmaceuticals laboratories are providing students with an ultra-modern environment benefiting from state-of-the-art equipment. Door specification was of high importance for a laboratory environment containing flammable, toxic and dangerous chemicals.

Allgood supplied 15 doorsets with traditional exposed lippings to provide extra protection to the door faces and ensure they can be easily repaired and replaced if necessary. Along with the doorsets, Alite levers, latches, surface maglocks and hinges were installed, providing the laboratories with fire protection for up to 30 minutes.

A special laminate finish to the laboratory doors was also applied to further boost fire door safety.

SAS International’s SAS600 rafts are ideal for effective acoustic control in exposed soffit areas within busy education, airport and commercial office environments.

As an alternative to suspended ceilings, SAS600 rafts and modules are available in a range of curved, flat and angled profiles as standard. At the award-winning Saunders Centre, at the Glasgow Academy, SAS600 rafts demonstrate lighting integration as an additional option for the versatile modular system.

With the ability to turn corners, each raft was designed and manufactured to suit its location in the building. The open soffit design also allows access to services and facilitates thermal mass requirements.

www.allgood.co.uk

www.sasint.co.uk

08 Advertising 01926 420660

SAS International rafts provide acoustic control

PRODUCTS www.thefis.org

DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT SPACE

NEW PARTITIONING RANGES: SEKTOR 30, 90 & 115 AVAILABLE NOW BETTER PERFORMANCE MORE ROBUST EASIER TO INSTALL AND RELOCATE

GO ONLINE TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST PRODUCT RANGE GUIDE

INTERIORS FOR THE WAY YOU WORK

People perform at their best in surroundings that are calming and inspirational – in a working environment that’s light, quiet, and comfortable. A healthy workspace encourages happiness and well-being, which in turn leads to more efficient and productive work. That’s the idea behind Sektor, a complete range of interior solutions for imaginative designers and specifiers, skilled installers, and high-achieving end-users.

VISIT WWW.SEKTORINTERIORS.COM TO FIND YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST AND SHOWROOM www.specfinish.co.uk 09

FEATURE

CEILINGS

www.specfinish.co.uk

Armstrong’s TrioGuard gives metal ceilings dirt-resistant performance.

Ceilings – consider the options and achieve the performance Ceiling systems can often be one of the areas targeted during value-engineering exercises. Paul Thompson looks at how, with a little more attention early in the project, clients can get the performance they want without sacrificing aesthetics.

In a world where property owners and developers are looking to squeeze every last penny out of budgets, the fit-out sector – last in a scheme’s chronological order – can repeatedly be left bearing the brunt of spiralling project costs.

Ceilings can be one big-ticket item that comes under the gaze of those carrying out ‘valueengineering’ exercises in a bid to pare down costs, often with varying degrees of success. But with a little more care in the planning and a more realistic approach taken in the earliest stages of a scheme, clients can still benefit from a ceiling package that provides the necessary acoustic performance and comes in on budget.

“Clients and designers need to engage with manufacturers early in the scheme so that we can fully support the project by getting the right product in the right areas,” said Matthew Sexton, commercial sector market manager at British Gypsum.

“Although clients are aware of the importance of fire performance and sound insulation, for example, they don’t always understand the importance of good acoustic performance or think about the 10 Advertising 01926 420660

behaviour of sound within that space,” Mr Sexton said.

The need for early consultation is paramount to ensure clients understand exactly what it is they want and that they get it. That is an opinion echoed by Rachel Sullivan, ceiling and partitioning category manager at distributor CCF. “We often see projects where the ceiling has not been that well thought out. In many cases, it is about the budget and how far it stretches.

Clients need to be educated about what the variety of products can achieve and where. By using a mix of soft fibre, mineral fibre or fleece covered tiles in different areas – even in the same office – acoustic performance can be controlled in different ways,” she said.

Certain clients are very experienced in ceiling specification: they know exactly what they want and how best to deliver that.

However, some pay little attention until the last minute and expect cost over-runs to be clawed back. It is at this point where knowing your specialist ceiling suppliers and contractors can really pay dividends.

“It is not just about substituting products; it is about designing

smarter,” said John Spicer, technical sales manager at manufacturer Armstrong Ceilings.

“We manufacture a very broad range of ceiling systems which can all work together. Most are based around the classic 600 x 600mm tile which everyone is familiar with. We want to make things as easy as possible for people.”

Armstrong’s ceiling systems include all materials and finishes and offer different properties for various performances, including sound absorption, light reflectance and recycled content.

In commercial office installations, the flexibility this offers can be hugely important to owners and occupiers. In a world where every additional £1 per sq. m means potential lost revenue, the desire to limit ceiling costs and yet still meet modern office aesthetic, performance and wellbeing requirements is evident. This can mean variations in ceiling specification is dependent on a variety of influences.

SAS International’s group marketing manager, Matthew Mills, picks up this thread. He said: “In modern commercial offices, the quality of ceiling specification is tempered by realistic rental yields locally. Unsurprisingly, the highest specs tend to be from developments in extremely affluent and competitive city areas, or from owner–occupiers. Status, staff attraction and retention are the main commercial drivers here.

“Developers in major cities will have a range of requirements depending on who they are competing against. In major UK city developments, Grade A premium office space is traditionally all metal,” Mr Mills added.

The onus on delivering savings while still meeting performance criteria remains down to the installation skill of the specialist contractor. Peter Nagle, contracts director at fit-out and office specialist BW, explained that to get real results, the ceilings shouldn’t really be looked at in isolation but as part of a whole package, including wall and floor coverings, to make sure acoustic performance levels are sound across the space. Retrofitting ceilings once the building is fully occupied might help provide the ideal balance between lighting and acoustic performance.

Mr Nagle said: “It depends on each individual project. Acoustics are critical for some clients while others want better lighting. Even if the client gets acousticians involved, it isn’t an exact science.

You don’t really know how a space will perform until all the plant, machinery, computers, workspaces and even workforce are installed.

“They will all have an impact on the final performance. Putting in a temporary solution with a view to coming back and assessing the space and retrofitting when it is fully operational could make sense,” he concluded.

A black SAS200 mesh ceiling with clear PPC tiles fitted under each light. The metallic effect illuminates the tile and space below at the new Glasgow KPMG offices.

FEATURE

Isaac Newton Academy

www.thefis.org

GET THE LATEST DRYLINING INSIGHTS FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR.

The Siniat Drylining Specification Guide for Education 2017 addresses key issues for schools including: • Acoustics • Durability and impact resistance • Mounting accessories, fixtures and fittings • Dealing with tall interior walls in spaces such as assembly halls

Order your free copy from literatureline@siniat.co.uk or call us on 01275 377581

www.specfinish.co.uk 11

TECHNICAL

PLASTERBOARD MARGINS

www.specfinish.co.uk

A margin of error When we are required to investigate the causes of ceiling collapses and tiles falling, the construction of the suspended ceiling is often the primary issue. However, a contributing factor can be the construction of the plasterboard margins and, in particular, the transition between the two elements. Here, FIS independent advisor Alex Double highlights the top 10 issues that he has encountered during site visits.

1. Design

It is common that designers may only illustrate the margin on a reflected ceiling plan with very little detail, assuming the subcontractor will adopt the design responsibility. It is imperative that the suspended ceilings and plasterboard margins are fully designed with all components detailed and annotated. If you have no design responsibility, ensure the designer has provided sufficient information to construct the margin.

2. Installation

The installation of the plasterboard margins does not always follow the recommendations of the manufacturers. Rather than being an integrated part of the ceiling, the plasterboard margins are often installed separately and often at a different time to the main ceiling. They may be installed wider than required and cut back as the ceilings are being constructed.

As a result, the main supporting MF metal framework is invariably stopped short with the plasterboard extended, leaving the cantilevered board to act as a structural element. This is not compliant.

3. Adjacent Ceiling Loading

The manufacturerʼs recommendations have not been followed here and the metal ceiling has started to collapse.

Ceilings should always be independently supported to the structure or sub-grid and not into any services supports. A maintenance operative would not expect this and any adjustments to the services could cause issues with the margins/ceilings.

7. Linear Grilles

When the choice of the plenum box has not been fully co-ordinated with the plasterboard ceiling design, we have seen the linear grilles being installed in such a way that they are also providing support to the plasterboard or the metal/mineral fibre ceilings. As a result, any adjustment to the linear grilles can cause serious issues, including full or partial collapses.

If the load of the adjacent suspended metal/mineral ceiling is incorrectly bearing onto the margin this can cause issues if the margin is not designed for this purpose. If the weight of the MF margin is bearing on the suspended ceiling, this can also cause issues. The suspended ceiling, plasterboard margin, plenum boxes, transition trims, etc. should all be independently supported.

8. Mix and Match

4. Adaptions

9. Transition Trim

Over the life of a suspended ceiling, it is possible that there will be alterations carried out – the impact of this can be catastrophic. Any alterations must be carefully planned and designed to ensure any changes are possible and do not impact on the stability of the ceiling/margins.

We would always recommend that when there are to be alterations to existing works, these should be inspected to ensure there are no latent or patent defects present.

5. Applied Loading

If plenums, linear grilles, lights or other services are located within the margins, the loads of the services must be considered. These should be fully co-ordinated to ensure they are designed for use within a plasterboard ceiling and that either the loadings are capable of being borne by the plasterboard or independent support is provided if required.

6. Top Fixing

The incorrect selection of top fixings is probably the most common cause of ceiling collapses. We would recommend that the FIS Best Practice Guide: Top Fixings for Suspended Ceilings is consulted prior to using or selecting an appropriate top fixing for a suspended ceiling. See the FIS guide at www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub 12 Advertising 01926 420660

Because the plasterboard margins rarely provide any acoustic performance or fire resistance, we see a variety of manufacturers’ materials used with a mix and match approach in the installations.

This can cause confusion over which installation details are relevant or correct because there is no single point of reference.

Transition trims are used at the interface of the suspended ceiling and the plasterboard margin. These can be aluminium or steel and they should be independently supported in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations to avoid any issues of movement and potential collapse.

We regularly see transition trims fixed to cantilevered plasterboard or the ceiling grid without independent support.

10. Co-ordination

The plasterboard margin is often considered the poor relative of the more expensive suspended ceiling – this is unjustified. It is imperative that these plasterboard areas of the ceiling are properly co-ordinated with the main suspended ceilings and M&E services to ensure a fully compliant and safe installation. Without proper co-ordination, there can be potential issues, including collapses.

Being aware of these risks is the first step in ensuring the work is safe now and during future refurbishment work.

FIND OUT MORE ALEX DOUBLE alex@addc-ltd.co.uk

JOE CILIA FIS technical manager joecilia@thefis.org

SFS

FEATURE www.thefis.org

Gyproc Habito plasterboard

‘OW ZAT’ for toughness.

Gyproc Habito is tough, durable and hits other plasterboards for six. Perfect for residential settings or retail environments.

You’ll be bowled over by its strength, which is five times stronger than standard plasterboard.

Capable of supporting up to 15kg from a single 5mm (no. 10) woodscrew without the need for specialist fixings or pattressing. Which means with Gyproc Habito you’ll never be caught out.

Available to buy from your local British Gypsum stockist.

british-gypsum.com

www.specfinish.co.uk 13

d value e years. I’ve adde th er ov h uc m I’ve seen so s, secret. kept trade secret e I’v g. tin ee m y ained to ever s ceiling. I’ve rem as gl no is e er th ready I’m proof that n. And now I’m tio va no in of d en at the business I am Dune eVo. n. ai to do it all ag

BRIGHT. CONTEMPORARY. 100% RECYCLABLE. Discover the next evolution in ceiling tiles – over and over again.

Visit www.armstrongceilings.co.uk www.armstrongceilings.ie

14 Advertising 01926 420660

SKILLS & TRAINING www.thefis.org

HBF and FIS drylining initiative to boost house building skills training A new drylining boot camp aimed at college leavers is set to make significant inroads into fast-tracking newly skilled young people into jobs within the house building sector.

Helen Yeulet, skills delivery director at FIS Skills, tells us more.

A new CITB-funded pilot training course has been developed by the Home Builders Federation’s Skills Partnership in collaboration with FIS Skills, and supported by FIS member Saint-Gobain, in response to industry pressure to build more houses. This pressure is all the more acute given the significant skills shortage in some very key trades hampering housing delivery against government targets, drylining being one.

FIS identified that close to 1,500 new drylining entrants are needed every year to bridge the skills gap (as covered in the Stockerl Report).

That was pre-Brexit.

Moreover, up to two-thirds of construction college leavers with the appropriate qualification fail to gain employment in the trade for which they were trained. According to HBF and FIS research, this is because, in the words of employers, they just aren’t site-ready. Following two years in a ‘theoretical environment’ these 18-year-olds have no real awareness of what the actual role on-site will require them to do, day in day out. As a result, they are not seen as ‘employable’ and despite success at college, drift out of construction into other industries, or even into unemployment.

The HBF / FIS pilot has been developed with this in mind, and will work alongside local colleges

to identify potential leavers and, together with employers, put them through an assessment / interview day.

Successful candidates will receive an offer of employment letter from the employer. This will be subject to an individual passing an end-point assessment test.

Employers will work with training providers to agree what the end-point assessment needs to be and the training providers will tailor the course accordingly.

Whilst the boot camp might be expected to take on average four weeks to complete, anyone completing early can be taken straight into employment.

This enables all students to ‘deep dive’ into a very specific trade and get their skills to the level required so that they can be fast-tracked into employment.

The initial pilot will offer 20 drylining and 45 bricklaying places in the coming months, but with the ambition to roll out across the country to become a consistent pathway for youngsters into the house building industry.

Jenny Herdman, director for the HBF’s Home Building Skills Partnership, said: “The skills gap in house building requires new thinking and new approaches against a backdrop of a rapidly changing training landscape.

“We are delighted to be piloting

this unique training model with FIS, which will help guarantee a pipeline of employable skilled young people coming into the sector and enable us to be at the forefront of the new T-levels [technical qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds] when they come in.”

CITB funding will cover the cost of training and health and safety tests, and, once successful, also cover the cost of the further training required to get every new employee to NVQ Level 2.

Saint-Gobain is committed to supporting the programme delivery as well as working to identify

potential candidates within partner colleges. Shenaaz Chenia, Saint-Gobain’s director of industry and community training, said: “This is an ideal opportunity to work in partnership to get young people into employment whilst meeting the skills needs of construction employers. Saint-Gobain is delighted to be able to assist in working with FIS and HBF to trial a new approach.”

Contact FIS Skills for further information on getting involved as an employer.

FIND OUT MORE skills@thefis.org

Health & Safety – READ IT ONLINE

How do accidents happen?

David Cant, from Veritas Consulting, considers that genuine accidents do happen on construction sites, and that contractors have a duty to prevent them wherever possible. www.specfinish.co.uk/how-do-accidents-happen www.specfinish.co.uk 15

LEGAL

www.specfinish.co.uk

Time and clarity and letters of intent Simon Lewis, a partner in the Construction and Engineering Team at Bond Dickinson, providers of the FIS Legal Helpline, outlines the importance for subcontractors of paying careful attention to the contents of any letter of intent.

Once a contract has been won, there is, inevitably, a conflict between pressure to get on with the job and the need to make sure the contract is clear and in place. This can lead to parties failing to get the contract sorted out before they actually start work. If things go to plan, there is rarely any issue. If, however, there are arguments, then the clarity of the contract becomes important.

One of the ways that this conflict between time and clarity is addressed is in the production of what are called letters of intent. Usually, the contractor wants some work to be carried out before the formal contract or subcontract has been agreed. Further up the line, there may be pressure on the employer to commence works before a certain date: there may be tax-related reasons, the employer may want the contractor to hold its price or may be concluding negotiations with a third party, or there may be long lead-in periods for the ordering of materials. Further down the line, subcontract terms may not be in place and a delay up the line means that the contractor finds itself in the same position with its subcontractors, so it falls back on the same solution.

The problem is that, legally, the term ‘letter of intent’ doesn’t actually mean anything specific. Precisely what effect the letter of intent has depends entirely upon what it says and therefore understanding it will mean reading it very carefully to see what liabilities it is trying to impose. At one end of the spectrum, a letter will have no legal or contractual effect at all and will be not much more than a comfort letter. Then there are letters that give rise to a request to carry out work in anticipation of a full contract being agreed. This might be enough to create a simple contract with limited scope but precisely what the terms of that contract are will depend on what the letter contains.

At the other end of the scale, a letter may contain all the things required to form a full contract which covers the whole job, though such letters are perhaps more rare and may not have been intended to have that effect.

16 Advertising 01926 420660

If you receive a letter from a contractor asking you to commence work, read it carefully and consider the following: • Is there an obligation to award the subcontract to you?

• Is there a maximum amount of work stated in the letter?

• Is there a timescale within which the work is to be carried out?

• Are there other provisions dealing with, for example, insurance, terms of payment, adjudication and so on which would be the sort of things you would expect to see in a full contract?

• Are the works to be carried out clearly described?

• Is there any indication that the subcontract, when it is awarded, will supersede the letter?

You will not be surprised to know that there are a large number of cases about letters of intent since each one has to be looked at on its own terms to decide what it means. In some cases, the letter has no binding effect at all; in others, it might as well be the full contract.

The practical point is that you may receive a communication from the contractor which calls itself a letter of intent, but this of itself means nothing: read the letter very carefully and decide what it is you are being asked to do. Is it the case that once you have carried out the work under the letter you may not, in fact, be employed under the subcontract after that? Are the payment terms, scope of work and the timescale clear? Is there a cap on the amount of work you are supposed to carry out? If there is, bear this in mind because getting paid for carrying out work beyond the scope set out in the letter of intent without the contractor’s agreement will be difficult.

Being asked to agree to a letter of intent is not, of course, a sign that there is anything wrong with the job.

They are commonly used but nevertheless can still cause problems for the unwary. The important point is to understand what you are, and are not, agreeing to do.

LEGAL www.thefis.org

Reviewing collateral warranties Kara Price from Bond Dickinson summarises what collateral warranties are and what you should consider before signing one.

What is a collateral warranty?

Defective design or workmanship by a professional consultant (e.g. an architect), contractor or subcontractor can cause parties with different interests in a construction project to experience different losses. Whilst the employer (the client) is likely to have a contract with the party responsible for a defect, other affected parties may not.

Without a contract, an affected party may not be able to recover its losses from the professional consultant, contractor or subcontractor responsible. A collateral warranty solves this problem by creating a direct contractual relationship between parties that would not otherwise exist.

A collateral warranty is a contract under which

a professional consultant, a building contractor or a subcontractor warrants to a third party (such as a funder) that it has complied with its obligations in its professional appointment, building contract or subcontract.

What should be considered before entering into a collateral warranty?

Collateral warranties are popular and are used extensively on construction projects. If you are asked to sign a collateral warranty, you should ensure that you are comfortable with its contents before signing. The following are useful points to look out for: Parties – Parties to the collateral warranty should be correct and should be consistent with the information on the Companies House website.

Services – The particular services to be undertaken should be carefully reviewed.

Insurance – Insurance requirements should

reflect the wording contained in your insurance policy documents.

Warranties – The number of warranties to be provided and the reasons for the provision of warranties to particular parties should be agreed.

Limitation of liability – Limitation should mirror the limitation of liability within your professional appointment, building contract or subcontract.

Whilst this list is a good starting point, should the contents of a collateral warranty be of concern, FIS members can call the FIS Legal Helpline.

We would be happy to complete a high-level review of the collateral warranty you have been asked to sign.

FIND OUT MORE kara.price@bonddickinson.com 0191 230 8860

®

An

Brand

COMING SOON To receive more information and a free sample, email wondertex@instarmac.co.uk wondertex.co.uk

www.specfinish.co.uk 17

SKILLS & TRAINING www.specfinish.co.uk

Partnership. It’s in our nature.

Swans famously stay together for life.

And at Nevill Long, we develop similarly long-lasting relationships both with our customers and our suppliers – such as the one we have with Armstrong Ceilings. Being their very first UK distributor and working closely together for over 55 years means we can provide you with the ideal ceiling solution.

Making Nevill Long the Distributor of Choice... naturally.

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

18 Advertising 01926 420660 CEILINGS

DRYWALL

PARTITIONS

FIS CONTRACTORS AWARDS 2017 www.thefis.org

HERITAGE

Celebrating excellent workmanship in our sector

FIS President Steve Coley.

Construction industry leaders and members of the architectural and interior design communities joined FIS members and sponsors for the annual FIS Awards Lunch on 6 June, held at The Dorchester Hotel, London. As in previous years, this much-anticipated event was a sell-out with more than 450 FIS members and guests joining to celebrate the winners of the 2017 Contractors Awards.

In his final year as president, Steve Coley was joined by guest speaker John Lloyd, who entertained guests with his amusing stories of working in TV and radio before going on to announce the Gold and Silver winners of the Contractors Awards, which were presented by representatives of the category sponsors.

Lunch sponsors

GOLD

SILVER

Guest speaker John Lloyd.

BRONZE www.specfinish.co.uk 19

FIS CONTRACTORS AWARDS 2017 www.specfinish.co.uk

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

GOLD SCS Building Solutions

GOLD Locker and Riley (Fibrous Plastering)

PROJECT Victoria Gate, Leeds ARCHITECT ACME

PROJECT The Lanesborough Hotel, London ARCHITECT Reardon Smith Architects and Alberto Pinto Interior Designers

INTERIOR FIT OUT – OVER £1M

INTERIOR FIT OUT – UNDER £1M

GOLD Claremont Group Interiors

GOLD DSP (Interiors)

PROJECT King, London

PROJECT KTM Sportmotorcycle UK Ltd, Northamptonshire

Sponsored by

SILVER Horbury Group PROJECT University of

Birmingham Library ARCHITECT Associated Architects

20 Advertising 01926 420660

Sponsored by

SILVER QOB Interiors PROJECT One Carter Lane, London ARCHITECT Studio Ben Allen

FIS CONTRACTORS AWARDS 2017 www.thefis.org

SUSPENDED CEILINGS

PARTITIONING

GOLD Integra Contracts

GOLD Clestra Hauserman

PROJECT 6 PS, London ARCHITECT AHMM Architects

PROJECT Global leader in Packaging Solutions Office, London ARCHITECT Cleram

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

SILVER Astins Ltd

SILVER Moda Interiors

PROJECT The Victoria & Albert

PROJECT University of

Museum Exhibition Road Project, London ARCHITECT AL_A

Birmingham – New Library Building ARCHITECT Associated Architects

DRYWALL CONSTRUCTION – COMMERCIAL

DRYWALL CONSTRUCTION – RESIDENTIAL

GOLD Quad Building Services (Southern)

GOLD Stortford Interiors (UK)

PROJECT Victoria Embankment, London ARCHITECT TP Bennett

Sponsored by

PROJECT Riverwalk Project, London ARCHITECT Stanton Williams

Sponsored by

SILVER Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions PROJECT TATA Technologies,

Warwickshire ARCHITECT Webb & Gray and Thuja Design

SILVER Errigal Contracts PROJECT One Tower Bridge, London ARCHITECT PTAL

(Pete Taylor Associates Ltd)

www.specfinish.co.uk 21

FIS CONTRACTORS AWARDS 2017 www.specfinish.co.uk

STEEL FRAMED SYSTEMS

OPERABLE WALLS

GOLD SCS Building Solutions

GOLD Style Moveable Partition Specialists

PROJECT Victoria Gate, Leeds ARCHITECT ACME

PROJECT Francis Crick Institute, London ARCHITECT HOK

SILVER Errigal Contracts

SILVER Hufcor UK

PROJECT Morello, Surrey ARCHITECT Axis Architects

SPECIALIST JOINERY

PROJECT Leicester Royal Infirmary

– Clinical Training Facility

JUDGES’ AWARD GOLD Worksmart Contracts PROJECT Ayr Gaiety

Theatre, Ayrshire

ARCHITECT

Austin Smith Lord

GOLD Bushcrafted PROJECT Young Living, London ARCHITECT Push Design Ltd

GOLD Atkin Trade Specialists PROJECT Extra Care

Housing, Dorchester

ARCHITECT

NOMA Architects

SILVER

Pexhurst Services PROJECT DTZ Investors, London ARCHITECT Tuffin Ferraby Taylor

London

22 Advertising 01926 420660

FIS COMMUNITY NEWS www.thefis.org

Calendar of events

Welcome to new FIS members

FIS Scottish Awards 2017 George Hotel, Edinburgh 6 October 2017

Ezyglide www.ezyglide.co.uk

FIS Conference 2017 Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire 9 November 2017 FIS Golf Day 2017 Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire 10 November 2017

Members’ Meetings Birmingham Park Regis Thursday 13 July (2–6pm) Manchester AC Hotel Marriott Wednesday 13 September (2–6pm)

Specialists in the supply, installation, service and maintenance of all types of moveable partitions, operable wall systems and sliding folding partitions.

Cameron Drywall Contractors www.camerondrywall.co.uk Specialist drylining contractors providing all aspects of drywall installations and remodelling of commercial and domestic buildings.

Clearwall Contracting www.clearwall.co.uk

Supplier and installer of office partitioning systems which have been independently developed and manufactured in the UK.

PAA Interiors www.paainteriorsltd.co.uk

Providers of a complete suspended ceiling installation service to businesses and refurbishment contractors throughout the UK.

Jennor completes ceiling and lighting project for museum Jennor has replaced all of the ceilings in the main display area of the prestigious Museum of Liverpool. The tight six-week programme included removal of most of the exhibits; protecting glass cabinets and flooring; and removal of lighting, grilles, cameras and hanging exhibits before stripping out all ceilings.

Some 3,500m2 ceilings were installed, mostly lay-in grid Armstrong Ultima+ in 15mm Prelude grid in addition to MF ceilings to lobbies and perimeters of rooms and new lighting in key areas.

The works commenced early January and were completed at the end of February as planned.

FIND OUT MORE www.jennor.co.uk

PLASTERBOARD TROLLEY

• Length: 1,240mm • Width: 580mm • Height: 1,220mm

Two fixed and two swiveling castors with rubber tyres

ONLY £199 • Board transporter with vertical removable support bar • Carrying capacity - 20 sheets of 12.5mm board (approx) • Carrying capacity 500kg (approx.)

• Manufactured from 30mm tubular steel • Two fixed and two swiveling castors with rubber tyres • •

giving excellent maneuverability to a limited load Available in Yellow Made in our own factory in the UK

Removeable support bar with quick release fixings

Manufactured from 30mm tubular steel

Tel. 01924 420820 | email: info@safetyplatforms.co.uk | Web: www.safetyplatforms.co.uk uk k

www.specfinish.co.uk 23

SAS740 in the KPMG Offices, Glasgow

World class metal ceilings and architectural metalwork www.sasint.co.uk/architectural-metalwork