by Oscar Venus | 18 Sep, 2023 | Awards
The FIS Scottish Awards are a celebration of the exceptional work and diverse range of projects carried out in Scotland. On 15 September, the awards ceremony was held at the impressive voco Grand Central Glasgow. The event was hosted by broadcaster, writer, Herald columnist and former BBC Political Editor Brian Taylor and was well-attended, with attendees eagerly anticipating the announcement of this year’s winners.
The ceremony began with a welcome address from FIS President Philip Brown, who highlighted the organisation’s activities in 2023 and plans for the future. FIS CEO Iain McIlwee then gave a short speech before presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Len Bunton.
Len has spent his career advocating for fairness in the construction industry. He has been an inspiration to many and has tirelessly fought for a fairer supply chain, calling out unacceptable behaviour along the way. Len has been a powerful advocate for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and has been a solid rock that they can rely on. His efforts have made a significant impact and his dedication has been recognised with this well-deserved award.
After a fantastic three-course lunch, the presentation of the awards began. The winners were as follows:
Specialist Installation – Under £1M: D V McColl, for the National Robotarium Building constructed within the grounds of the Heriot Watt University Campus.
Specialist Installation – Over £1M: Indeglås, for designing and constructing an internal glazed atrium and high-performance rooms in the university’s Advanced Research Centre (ARC) building.
Interior Fit-Out: Scotwood Interiors, for their work on the office at 132 Princes Street in Edinburgh, designed to exude character and promote socialisation and collaboration for global digital transformation consultancy, Kin & Carta.
Project of the Year: Indeglås, for their visually stunning atrium and innovative design and delivery of exceptional quality, meeting the architects and client’s needs.
Apprentice of the Year: Jay Miller, Ceiling Installation Apprentice at D V McColl. With consistent high standards and enthusiasm for learning, Jay completed his NVQ Level 5 in Ceiling Fixing in August 2023, excelling in all elements of his training.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted individuals and companies, as well as the winners on their well-deserved success!
by Oscar Venus | 4 Sep, 2023 | Main News Feed
Register for the Supply Chain Sustainability ‘Progressing Sustainable Procurement: Driving Sustainable Supply Chains and Businesses’ Virtual Conference.
This event will take place in just one week, on Thursday 7th September at 10:00-12:00 via Zoom.
By attending this session, you will have the chance to gain valuable insights into sustainable procurement strategies and processes. You will receive a first look at Action Sustainability’s ‘Sustainable Procurement Progression Report 2023’ and learn from cross-industry leaders in sustainable procurement about their experiences, the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to deep dive into three specific sectors – construction, utilities, and train operating companies – to benchmark against and learn from ISO 20400 evaluation insights.
Their Q&A session will give you the chance to have your questions answered by industry experts. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, so we encourage you to register now. Places are limited, with less than 100 spaces left, so don’t delay and register for free using the link provided. We also invite you to share the registration link with your colleagues and supply chain.
Learn more about the event and register here
by Oscar Venus | 30 Aug, 2023 | Health and Safety
Are you interested in the latest developments in the fire testing industry? The IFE Fire Testing webinar may hold the answers to some of the challenges faced in this field. During this webinar, experts will analyse the latest research and suggest how digital innovation could provide solutions. Participants will also learn about fire testing procedures in accordance with key BS and EN standards and discuss the potential impacts of removing BS 476 from Approved Doc B.
If you are a client organisation, housing provider, architect, design/multi-disciplinary firm, fire engineering firm, fire test house, testing, inspection and accreditation body, or a regulator, this webinar is for you. You will gain insights into the latest market research, an overview of current fire test types and relevant standards, and information on future solutions that can enhance capacity, competence, and capability. The event will conclude with a post-event copy of the presentations and a recording of the webinar for future reference. Join us to learn more about the exciting developments in the fire testing industry.
by Oscar Venus | 17 Aug, 2023 | Contractual and Legal, Main News Feed
The last few months have been hectic working for several construction organisations who are members of the various bodies that make up CICV.
I have seen an alarming increase in the number of organisations that are suffering from payment and cash flow issues, and these are probably putting a strain on the finances of the business and more strain on the mental health of those who run the businesses. What appears to be a regular feature is that organisations don’t respond to payment applications, don’t respond to emails requesting information and just put up a wall of silence, and then they start to reduce payment applications with some spurious excuses, and contracting organisations go round and round not knowing where they are going.
By inventing all sorts of excuses one can keep a subcontractor at arm’s length for weeks if not months, providing prevaricating excuses for not paying.
Members can see the full blog by clicking the button below
by Oscar Venus | 17 Aug, 2023 | Health and Safety
The BSR’s recent webinar provides an overview of the new building control process, as well as the new duty holder roles and three Gateways, and members can register to watch it back on demand.
Starting from October 1st, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will officially take on the role of Building Control Body for higher-risk buildings, with plans to provide a transitional period for ongoing projects. For all other buildings, the Building Control Body can be either a department in the Local Authority or a Building Control Approver, a private company that provides Building Inspectors. Building Inspectors will be required to undergo an assessment and certification process in order to register with the BSR between October 2023 and April 2024. The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) and the Building Safety Competence Foundation have been announced as the first independent competence assessors to partner with the BSR.
The BSR recently conducted a webinar that provides an insightful overview of the new building control process, the new duty holder roles, and three Gateways. Members who missed the webinar can register to watch it on demand at their convenience. The BSR’s new role as the Building Control Body for higher-risk buildings is a significant step in ensuring the safety of building occupants and reducing the risk of future disasters.
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2023 | Drylining, Labour, Skills
Sector Based Work Academy – West London College
Registration – Friday 22nd September, 10am
Starts – Monday 25th September, 10am
Location – Southall Community College , Beaconsfield Road, Southall, UB1 1DP
What we are asking members to do is to support with the work experience and guaranteed job interview
✔Pre-employment training – focusing on requirements for the construction sector
✔Relevant sector ‘tickets’ including Health and Safety
✔Work experience placement – a great opportunity for a business to identify talent and for the individual to cement their knowledge and understanding of the required role
✔A guaranteed job interview or help with an employer’s recruitment process
Sector-based work academies are a valuable resource for those looking to transition into a new field of work. These academies provide training and education to individuals who are currently receiving unemployment benefits, with the goal of preparing them to apply for jobs in a different sector.
The placements offered through sector-based work academies are specifically designed to meet the immediate and future recruitment needs of employers. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a particular field, these academies help to recruit and sustain a workforce that is equipped to grow and develop a business.
Overall, sector-based work academies are a powerful tool for both job seekers and employers. They provide a pathway for individuals to transition into new fields of work and help businesses to find employees with the right skills to thrive.
The 2 Week program is designed with the aim of preparing individuals for employment in the construction sector. The program is made up of various components including pre-employment training, sector tickets, work experience placement and guaranteed job interviews. These components are put together to ensure that individuals are equipped with the necessary skills and experience to succeed in the construction sector.
Pre-employment training is an important aspect of the program as it focuses on the requirements for the construction sector. During this training, individuals will be taught about the various roles in the sector and the skills required to succeed in these roles. The training will also cover topics such as health and safety, communication and teamwork.
Relevant sector tickets, including health and safety, will also be provided to individuals as part of the program. These tickets are important as they demonstrate that individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the construction sector. Employers in the sector often require individuals to have these tickets before they can be employed.
The program also includes a work experience placement which provides individuals with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the sector. This is a great opportunity for businesses to identify talent and for individuals to cement their knowledge and understanding of the required role.
Finally, the program includes a guaranteed job interview or help with an employer’s recruitment process. This ensures that individuals have the best possible chance of securing employment in the construction sector.
For more information or to sign up to the course please email Beena Nana
by Oscar Venus | 27 Jul, 2023 | Main News Feed
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is set to oversee the building control approval process for all higher-risk buildings from 1st October 2023. In order to ensure the ongoing safety of residents, the BSR will also manage the safety of these buildings while they are occupied. To provide a clear overview of the new building control regime and the BSR’s role as the Building Control Authority, a free one-hour lunchtime webinar will be hosted on Wednesday 9th August from 12pm-1pm. The webinar will be hosted by Colin Blatchford-Brown, Operational Policy lead for Gateways and Building Control, and Jenny Hagan, Senior Policy Advisor for Gateways and Building Control.
The engaging and informative webinar is open to all those interested in the new building control regime, including designers, architects, local planning and building control authorities, building control professionals, private and public sector contractors, clients, principal accountable persons/accountable persons, developers, and industry organisations. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the new building control regime, the importance of duty holder roles, and the gateways. The webinar will also provide the opportunity to ask questions to the experts and receive a post-event copy of the presentation and a recording of the webinar.
Register for the webinar here
by Oscar Venus | 15 Jun, 2023 | Membership
The FIS Contractors Awards 2023 attracted a record crowd and was a fantastic celebration of our amazing community.
Discover the highlights of the FIS Contractor Awards that you may have missed.
You can see all the winners here.
It was also the first time that the FIS community got to hear from their new president, Philip Brown.
You can read Phils Speech
Our CEO, Iain McIlwee also spoke on the FIS’s current and future initiatives.
You can read Iain’s speech here
Below we have included some of the photos from the day.
You can see all of the photos on our FIS Facebook Page here
Congratulations to the winners and again all who made the shortlist, thanks to the judges, Tony Pieri, Colin Hunter, and Robert Fry. Thanks to our headline sponsor Ecophon, our Award sponsors Minster, SIG, CCF, British Gypsum, Zentia, Nevill Long, Protektor and Euroform. And also our event sponsors Forza Doors, EPD Insulation Group, Fire DNA, Muffle, SPIT, Go Interiors and QIC Trims.
Thanks all for making this an extra special celebration!
by Oscar Venus | 16 May, 2023 | Main News Feed
Since the year began the FIS team have been hard at work and achieved some brilliant results across out Technical, Business Development, Skills and Training, and Lobbying efforts. Here’s a short look back at the first 3 months of 2023
Key technical work
Business support and guidance
- New Best Practice Guide to help contractors and subcontractors improve cashflow and prevent costly and damaging disputes
- New FIS Standard Terms and Conditions for England, Scotland and Wales launched
- Wage Rate and State of Trade Surveys published
- New QS helpline has been instrumental in a number of disputes being resolved positively.
Lobbying and representation
- Procurement Research published, and data featured in Times Article
- Responded to Fire Classification and BS476 withdrawal from Building Regulations
- FIS work on the interim review by the Migration Advisory Committee saw Dry Lining as the only trade reviewed and moved to the Skilled Worker list and a number of FIS Trades added to the Shortage Occupation List
- FIS invited to speak and support workshops hosted by the Construction Leadership Council, Department for Business and Trade and Small Business Commissioner on payment practices
- Invited to attend the inaugural Building Safety Conference, hosted by the Building Safety Regulator
- Responded to RICS professional statement consultation for whole life carbon
Skills and training
Key Events
- FIS Conference at Workspace Design Show at the Building Design Centre in Islington
- Hosted Inaugural FIS Innovation Awards
- Manchester Regional Meeting
- Webinar on Increasing circularity and reuse in fit-out projects
Download this doc here
by Oscar Venus | 14 Apr, 2023 | Technical
The code of practice detailing design and installation of dry lining systems on construction sites has been reviewed.
The Guide which was last reviewed in 1994 has been updated by a panel of experts and includes definitions on systems and terms and guidance for designers, guidance on quality checking as well as information on tolerances and how to inspect completed work.
The Code of conduct is a must have for anyone involved in the industry as it clearly defines tolerances such as 3mm on the crown of a joint so that disputes around the subject can be addressed quickly.
A full check list to sit alongside the Code is being developed to assist phased quality checks. When this is available FIS will be hosting a webinar to run through the changes and any impacts on our community.
BS 8000-8:2023 Workmanship on construction sites – Design and installation of dry lining systems. Code of practice now available on the BSI shop.
by Oscar Venus | 13 Apr, 2023 | Main News Feed
During last month’s Building Safety Regulator Conference a number of queries were raised which are summarised below.
- Confirmation that hospitals and care homes are not required to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator before occupation unless they contain at least two permanent residential units
- The developer remediation contract has now been signed by the majority of developers and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) will be implementing a Responsible Actors Scheme
- Links to the enhanced Manual to the Building Regulations and online PDF of Approved Documents in the Approved Document B section.Build UK continues to update its Comprehensive Guide and these queries were added to the April 2023 version, published today.
by Oscar Venus | 13 Apr, 2023 | Technical
The government has consulted on a potential move from the BS 476 fire testing standard to the Europen standard EN 13501-1. This, without a doubt, will affect many stakeholders in the built environment.
BS 476 is well known across the industry and while some elements have some equivalence with European Standards many do not. Many areas of the industry rely on 476 while others question the equivalence of the European standard.
The CPA Chief Executive, Peter Caplehorn, will discuss its merits, problems and also possible solutions.
Sign up for the webinar here.
by Oscar Venus | 13 Apr, 2023 | Main News Feed, Market data
BSI have published their 2023 version of the Little book of BIM.
This is a quick reference guide for the standards, definitions and terms commonly used in describing BIM and its related processes, as well as training and qualification pathways for all levels. The guide can be used by organisations across the supply chain.
You can download a copy here.
by Oscar Venus | 13 Apr, 2023 | Main News Feed, Membership
To improve access to new technology and promote the impact that improved motivation and productivity can have in the drylining industry, FIS and Mafic are offering five FIS members the chance to trial Mafic’s FAIRPAY rewards platform.
The platform has been developed to help organisations increase productivity and reduce costs by 10-20% by improving the motivation of their workforce.
This inclusive offer worth £3,500 includes:
– 12 people
– 12 weeks
– Free setup
– Subscription costs discounted by 75% to £450+VAT
FIS members taking part will still need to fund the bonuses and incentives that go directly to employees. These incentives drive savings that are multiples of the cost – you reduce cost by paying your best people more money – and Mafic will help to structure this in a way that minimises risk by basing the incentives around improvement.
Based on results elsewhere, it is estimated that you could save £10,000-£20,000 on labour costs from the demonstration, plus other benefits like improved retention rates. You can see how FIS member Errigal Contracts has benefited from using FAIRPAY here on page 7.
Iain Mcilwee, FIS CEO said: We are supporting this offer with Mafic in return for anonymised data which will be shared with FIS (i.e. no names, sites, dates, or geographic data) to help us better understand productivity in the industry, so that we can better serve and support our members. Mafic has just five discounted projects available, so please express an interest early to avoid disappointment.’
For more information contact Ed Burns at ed.burns@mafic.ltd or call him on 07967 968 346.
by Oscar Venus | 23 Sep, 2022 | Main News Feed
You may be aware that the venue has changed for the AGM/Members Meeting on 6 October, which is now being held at Hill Dickinson LLP, The Broadgate Tower, London. This has opened up the opportunity for event sponsors to have a pop-up stand/table-top, as we now have more space.
We already have 50 plus members booked to attend. To book your place click here.
There are also opportunities still available to sponsor our other members meetings, taking place in Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
If you are interested call FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email clairmooney@thefis.org
by Oscar Venus | 22 Sep, 2022 | Drylining, Main News Feed
Due to the great number of people who have boked to attend we have decided to move the venue so more of you can join us in person to The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) venue at 31 Worship Street London EC2A 2DY Nearest tube is Old street or a short walk from Moorgate tube station.
There will be a light lunch and a chance to network from 12.30 and an opportunity to look and discuss new products from SpecWall and RawlPlug
The full agenda can be found here
- Compliance – Publication of the Building Safety Act in April
- Building Systems and Fire Walls – avoid delays at Gateway 2
- Deflection head details – how to avoid non-compliance and legacy issues when installing
- BS8000-8 standard. Guidance on design and tolerances in installation for drylining, to be published later this year
- Research project findings – the cause of creaking in tall residential towers in high wind conditions
- FIS vetting process – how it can support in managing compliance
- Competence management plans – toolkit to assist members implementing a plan
- Site Guide update – reducing waste and rework
We hope you can join us afterwards for a drink and a chance to network.
We look forward to meeting you all again, but please register early as space is limited.
by Oscar Venus | 14 Sep, 2022 | Main News Feed
The Cabinet Office has created a visual toolkit for partners, businesses, trade organisations, ALBs and the public sector during this time of mourning to show the country speaking with one voice of unity.
Click here to access
by Oscar Venus | 26 Aug, 2022 | Skills
Thousands of businesses can now apply for up to £15,000 to help retrain and upskill their workforce. The Scottish Government’s Flexible Workforce Development Fund provides workers in organisations of all sizes with access to training courses through local colleges, the Open University in Scotland and Skills Development Scotland. Now entering its sixth year, the fund is open to organisations who pay the UK Apprenticeship Levy and small-to-medium size business (SMEs). The initiative plays a crucial role in Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation, which outlines how the Scottish Government will work to develop the best economic performance possible over the decade ahead.
Youth Employment and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn said:
“We know times are tough for many businesses, so this funding will help them to continue investing in their workforce, addressing skills gaps and improving productivity. A skilled workforce is vital to the Scottish economy and we want as many businesses as possible to benefit from this scheme. For the first time, all eligible employers can access training available via local colleges, Skills Development Scotland and the Open University, tailored to their needs. This provides an incredible opportunity for workers to upskill at a time when many businesses are opting for new ways of working. I would encourage all Scottish employers to find out more about the opportunities available to them.”
The Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) was introduced in 2017-18 and aims to provide employers with flexible workforce development training opportunities tailored to their needs to support inclusive economic growth through upskilling and reskilling of employees. Full information on the fund is available on the Scottish Funding Council website.
Employers can contact the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) at fwdf@sfc.sc.uk or Skills Development Scotland (SDS) at fwdf@sds.co.uk for further information on this year’s fund. Apprenticeship Levy-paying organisations will be able to access upskilling support to the value of £15,000, and non-levy paying SMEs up to £5,000. An independent evaluation of the fund was carried out in academic year 2021-22. The results will be published this autumn. More information on Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation
If you need information on funding available for skills, training and qualifications contact Marie Flinter on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
by Oscar Venus | 25 Aug, 2022 | Health and Safety, Technical
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has issued an urgent warning to all contractors over the safety of fire dampers.
Inspections by maintenance contractors found that a “huge number of dampers” had been incorrectly installed and would fail to work during a building fire.
BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox has urged contractors to “alert their clients immediately” so that rectification works can begin.
The issue revolves around the use of self-drilling “tek” screws which have been used to install an unknown number of dampers in projects. The screws have a higher melting temperature and do not melt if a building is on fire.
“This means that spring-loaded dampers will not be released to contain the spread of fire within the zone and ensure the integrity of the fire stopping measure,” Fox explained.
“Dampers must be secured by fusible fixings that allow the duct to break away, otherwise the collapsing duct could pull the damper out of place and break the seal between the fire zones,” he added.
BESA published a special announcement on the subject. It includes updated guidance and statutory requirements covering installation, testing and maintenance of fire dampers and smoke dampers.
The document also highlights clients’ legal obligations to ensure their fire safety systems remain fit for purpose in line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England and Wales and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
Fox said: “While this is clearly a very worrying situation, we can take some reassurance from the fact that this problem is being brought to our attention by the increasing frequency of fire damper inspections and tests as awareness grows of this extremely important issue.”
The latest BESA technical advice can be found here.
by Oscar Venus | 25 Aug, 2022 | Contractual and Legal, Lens Blog, Main News Feed
This is the first in a series of short blogs by FIS Consultant, Len Bunton on contractual and commercial issues he experiences when supporting FIS members and the wider community – it is designed to help FIS Members avoid common traps and build on our focus on collective experience.
There is nothing worse for sub-contractors than doing work on site and not getting paid for it. So how does that come about, and what can you do about it. The first thing FIS members need to do is to read the terms of the sub-contact you are offered, to identify any high-risk issues. If you are too busy, then there are plenty of experienced folks out there who can do it for you. Once potential problem clauses are identified, then you can raise these with the employer/contractor and try to negotiate these out. What happens if they wont budge, well I tell my clients jut to walk away, its not worth signing up to something that could put you out of business.
One area I want to focus on relates to site instructions and variations. A FIS member sent me a sub- contract recently where it states that you don’t carry out variations without a written variation instruction from the contractor, then they won’t be accepted, and if you do carry out the work then you won’t be paid. Now on many may occasions, you are working away, and the site manger says, “will you take down that ceiling and reboard it please as its been damaged by other trades.”……
Page 12 of 16« First«...1011121314...>Last
