by Nicky Smith | Oct 26, 2016 | Main News Feed
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, one of our member companies, is a leading figure in reusing ‘waste’ from refurbishment projects. The company has developed its policy to actively seek out redundant ceiling tiles, bringing them back into its production process at their Newcastle manufacturing facility. Last year alone, Armstrong saved 495 tonnes from landfill. Although transport and logistic costs negate the landfill tax savings, the popularity of recycled material requests from developers and architects has become a selling point for the company. Read more here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 26, 2016 | Drylining, Main News Feed
FIS is becoming increasingly aware of issues where ply has been used in the construction of drylining. We would like to advise our relevant members to be aware of the issues and look for ways to mitigate the risks rather than carrying out costly and time-consuming remediation works, often after occupation of the building.
For more information, please read an article which appeared in FIS SpecFinish, or contact FIS Technical Manager, Joe Cilia on joecilia@thefis.org
by Nicky Smith | Oct 26, 2016 | Main News Feed
Product information is going digital, and FIS has been working with Government through BIM4FitOut and BIM4M2 to understand how products in the finishes and interiors sector can be described using the Product Data Definition document.
The Product Data Definition document, published by the UK Government’s BIM Task Group in April, defined a methodology to enable information to be requested and provided in common, plain language terms. LEXiCON is the implementation of this methodology. Steve Thompson, Vice Chair of BIM4M2 explains more here.
FIS has also been working with its Special Interest Forums to produce Product Data Templates (PDTs) for the Partitioning, Ceilings and Operable Wall sectors, and will continue to work with other federations and product manufacturers to develop more PDTs.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 24, 2016 | Main News Feed
The Construction Products Association has published a report titled The Future of Construction Product Manufacturing which seeks to identify the progress made in the construction manufacturing sector in support of Building Information Modelling and digitalisation.
The advantages of a fully engaged digital approach to everyday business have been clearly established in greater productivity, efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction.
The construction industry in contrast, has been resistant to change despite many efforts to embed approaches which other industries have considered the norm for many years. The momentum created by government showing initiative and thought leadership has created a fundamental move to embrace digitalisation.
The CPA has been working on developing a common approach to product data and digital identification engaging with further programmes which will strengthen and align manufacturing’s contribution to the digitalisation of construction.
This report provides clear evidence that manufacturing is doing more than its bit, generating and championing the use of those digital methodologies and helping to put the UK in the lead on the world stage. A briefer overview can be viewed in the Executive Summary here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 24, 2016 | Main News Feed
The next phase of the BIM Task Group programme was announced at the ICE BIM 2016 conference on 19 October by Mark Bew, MBE. Innovate UK and the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy have formed a partnership to deliver the next phase of digitisation in the construction sector through Digital Built Britain.
Digital Built Britain, first announced in the 2016 budget, will deliver reductions in whole-life costs and carbon emissions, whilst improving productivity and capacity by using intelligent building information models. Digital Built Britain will also continue the work of the globally recognised BIM Task Group programme, set up in 2011 to deliver up to 20% savings on costs of major projects.
The Digital Built Britain programme will focus on:
- Providing departmental support and British Standards for BIM Level 2
- Increased international trade and opportunities for growth for UK companies
- Development of BIM Level 3 programme as announced in February 2015
- Cyber security
- Private sector investment and engagement
- A series of early adopter projects focusing on Level 3A and manufacturing technologies
by Nicky Smith | Oct 24, 2016 | Main News Feed
As a relatively new standard, ISO 50001 has already been implemented by thousands of businesses across the world to boost energy efficiency efforts, but a number of key questions will need to be answered before any business embarks on the certification process. edie.net is an information resource which drives sustainability in business, and together with partner NQA, they have produced a guide to ISO 50001. It provides an in-depth summary of the ISO 50001 Standard which can be used by an organisation to establish and maintain a continuous level of energy performance improvements.
The nine-page edie explains guide answers questions and more to help energy managers understand exactly what they need to do before, during and after the ISO 50001 certification process.
Download the edie explains ISO 50001 guide here: http://bit.ly/2dRgiqQ
by Nicky Smith | Oct 24, 2016 | Main News Feed
Members are reminded that the deadline for submitting grant claims for the 2015/2016 grant year is 31 October 2016. Claims should be submitted using the CITB Training Plan and Claim Form, if you don’t already have a form it can be downloaded from the CITB website: www.citb.co.uk/levy-grant/grants-available
If you have any questions, please use the CITB Levy and Grant webchat or contact the CITB Levy and Grant helpline on 0344 994 4455.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 24, 2016 | Main News Feed
According to the ONS, output prices of manufactured goods rose 1.2% year-on-year in September, up from 0.9% in the
previous month, due to an increase in the prices of other manufactured products and transport equipment. The input price
index for manufactured goods rose 7.2% year-on-year in September, compared with an increase of 7.8% in August. The
latest figures reflect higher prices for domestically produced food products and rising import prices for fuel and metals. Read the Notes here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 19, 2016 | Main News Feed
In February 2016 the government asked the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to look at the labour model in the construction industry and the skills pressures and other constraints that limit housebuilding and infrastructure development in the UK. The CLC commissioned Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast Consultancy, to undertake a review.
The report, published on 17 October 2016, is titled ‘Modernise or Die: Time to decide the industry’s future’. The evidence reviewed indicates that the construction industry and its labour model is at a critical crossroads in terms of its long-term health. The real ticking ‘time bomb’ is that of the industry’s workforce size and demographic. Based purely on existing workforce age and current levels of new entrant attraction, we could see a 20-25% decline in the available labour force within a decade.
The executive summary on pages 6 to 11 provides real insight to the 70-page report which can be downloaded here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 18, 2016 | Main News Feed
Further to Kara Price from Bond Dickinson’s speaker slot at last week’s FIS Conference, we would like to inform all FIS members of our launch of the free Bond Dickinson legal advice helpline.
Bond Dickinson is a Top 40 UK Law Firm and delivers a wide range of legal expertise across seven cities. It has one of the largest full service construction and engineering teams in the UK and has expertise in both dispute resolution and transactional construction matters.
To read the terms of use and access the helpline number, download the PDF here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 17, 2016 | Main News Feed
Further to Mark Coates from Construct PM’s speaker slot at last week’s FIS Conference, members are reminded that the offer of 18 months for the price of 12 is open until the end of October.
Construct is a fully customisable site-to-office Information Management System. The Construct App allows onsite access to programme information as well as tasks and issues; tasks can be assigned from any mobile device.
Watch the video below to see how the app works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiEOSA1qCEw
Construct believe they can provide efficiency savings through the system:
• A single point of reference, accountability and data capture
• Control documentation and its distribution including all revisions
• Complete management of project correspondence between teams in real time
• The implementation of processes including the management of approvals across multiple organisations
• Provides transparency and control throughout a project’s lifetime and beyond
• Instantly provide all information needed by Project Managers whilst removing all paper from site
• Manage the whole build process of a project while onsite – start to finish
Thus giving the following benefits:
• Reduced form-filling and double-handling
• It’s a single point of reference at all times
• Greater accountability
• Forms and process tailored specifically to the way you currently work
Construct has included the following features for clients already using the App:
• Drawing Management / Document Release
• Smart Forms
• Full Process Workflow
• Benchmarks and mock-ups
• Client Reports
• Health & Safety
• Build Drawings
• Timelines and programmes
• Snagging
• Valuations
• In project (team/s) and one-to-one real-time messaging
• Building Maintenance – including ongoing issues
• O&M Manual
• Asset Tagging
Visit Construct PM’s website for more information.
FIS Members wishing to apply for the offer should contact Mark Coates direct:
Telephone: 020 33842227
Mobile: 07810 860940
Email: mark@construct.pm
by Nicky Smith | Oct 17, 2016 | Main News Feed
Government is planning a major industry briefing day to set out its plans to reorganise its sprawling office estate into a series of regional hub buildings. Its ambitious office closure and relocation plan is expected to generate up to £900m of fit-out work over the next seven years. Read more here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 17, 2016 | Main News Feed
This week’s Notes include information on the Construction Market Report on the UK Healthcare Sector, the Paris Climate Agreement and the CLC Report on Innovation Workstream. Read the Notes here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 14, 2016 | Main News Feed
FIS members are invited to get involved in the Architects Hub at London Build. This free to attend event is taking place at Olympia, London on 26 and 27 October. Come along for the opportunity to network with thousands of architects, contractors and developers; the attendee list can be viewed at www.londonbuildexpo.com/attendees/
To find out more, visit their website: www.londonbuildexpo.com/visit/architects-hub/
by Nicky Smith | Oct 12, 2016 | Main News Feed
We would like to understand what CPDs are offered by our members and develop a process to help promote them. Therefore could members let us know of any CPD presentations that you offer to architects or others in the construction sector?
Please complete the form here and return it to Erika Skinner erikaskinner@thefis.org by the end of October. An example of the information required is given in the first row. If you require any further information, please contact joecilia@thefis.org
by Nicky Smith | Oct 11, 2016 | Main News Feed
You are invited to the Plasterboard Waste Workshop on Monday 21 November from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Saint Gobain Innovation Centre in London. The workshop is free to attend but bookings will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Working with the Plasterboard Sustainability Partnership (PSP) we would like to hear your views on the causes of plasterboard waste, and importantly, what measures can be adopted across the sector to reduce waste and save money. Plasterboard manufacturers will be in attendance to understand what measures they can take too.
The workshop is looking to identify examples and share good practice measures across the sector. For example, we hear stories of drylining being installed before a building is watertight, leading to wet and damaged boards requiring replacement; it seems obvious that this should be avoided, yet it still occurs.
For bookings email erikaskinner@thefis.org or, if you have any questions or suggestions, please email joecilia@thefis.org
More information about the Plasterboard Sustainability Partnership can be found within the Sustainability section of the FIS Knowledge Hub here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 11, 2016 | Main News Feed
FIS members can benefit from a £200 saving when using The People’s Pension for automatic enrolment, provided by B&CE Financial Services.
When members sign-up, the one-off charge will be reduced from £500 + VAT to £300 + VAT by using the following code:
ZS3-35GG
by Nicky Smith | Oct 10, 2016 | Main News Feed
CPA attended the Standards Committee for Measuring and Reporting Sustainability Performance, tracking the developments within ISO and European (CEN) standards on Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and associated building level standards. Read more in this week’s Notes.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 10, 2016 | Main News Feed
The CPA’s latest Construction Trade Survey paints a mixed picture for Quarter 3, but optimism improves for the year ahead. The key drivers of construction growth over the past year have widened beyond housing to infrastructure, commercial and industrial, which has benefitted most product manufacturers. The full survey is available here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 7, 2016 | Main News Feed
October’s edition of the Joint Taxation Committee’s Newsline provides essential reading on the ‘Making Tax Digital’ proposals that HMRC are consulting on at the moment. With the promise of the eventual abolition of the tax return, companies will need to look at computer software or mobile phone apps to send the information direct to HMRC.
A Consultation period is currently in place until 7 November; visit the HMRC link to find out more or go straight to the survey.
The Newsline is available to read here.
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