by Clair Mooney | 25 Jan, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Market data
FIS Members are invited to take part in an industry-wide consultation into a new proposed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), to gather the views on the Code before it is formally launched later this year.
The Code has been developed by the CPA’s Marketing Integrity Group (MIG) with input from FIS, which was tasked with responding to the issues raised in Dame Judith Hackitt’s report ‘Building A Safer Future’, and the credibility challenge facing our industry following the Grenfell Tower fire. The report confirmed radical change was needed for construction products, particularly in the areas of testing, information and marketing.
The Code, made up of 11 clauses, aims to set the benchmark for how product information is presented and marketed by manufacturers. A new microsite dedicated to this consultation – www.buildingsafely.co.uk – explains the background, and includes a specially written report on the new Code. It’s presented in an easy-to-read, digestible format for the industry to review and respond.
The MIG’s work tackles shortcomings in ‘Product Information’ identified in Chapter 7 of the ‘Building A Safer Future’ report. Its work represents two years of open debate and discussion, and of engagement with various parts of the supply chain. It follows detailed analysis of the Call For Evidence survey in 2019, which attracted over 500 responses from across the industry. The survey confirmed that for product and performance information to be trusted, it must be Clear, Accurate, Up-to-date, Accessible and Unambiguous. These five points are the acid tests that now stand behind the 11 Clauses in the new Code.
The MIG is driving a wide-reaching consultation to give manufacturers, specifiers and users of information an opportunity to comment on the new Code, the implementation of its 11 Clauses, and its ongoing management and policing. The consultation is being carried out independently by industry specialists, MRA Research.
CPA Chief Executive Peter Caplehorn comments: “The importance of this new Code and consultation process will be obvious to all those working in the built environment post-Grenfell. It is our responsibility as an industry to regain public trust and credibility in what we do, and to demonstrate that technical competence can be trusted. I believe the Code represents both a determined attempt on behalf of manufacturers to correct disingenuous marketing practices and a proactive and collaborative effort to address the issues highlighted in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Report.
“The first industry consultation in 2019 was key in establishing the way forward. We are now encouraging all FIS Members to have their say once more before the Code is launched. CPA are reaching out to every organisation across the construction supply chain, whether that be manufacturers, specifiers, suppliers, distributors, contractors or installers. They hope businesses and individuals will embrace the opportunity to be involved, and recognise the urgency of change that is needed for our industry to ensure safe buildings.”
MIG Chair Adam Turk adds: “Following Grenfell, our industry reputation has been damaged. This Code is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to setting a level playing field for all construction product manufacturers to ensure that information they provide passes the five acid tests. In particular, that users of our products can once again rely upon the information given to them, to build the great buildings and infrastructure in which we live, work and play.”
We think this is one of the biggest changes in the way that manufacturers describe their products and demonstrate their commitment to Clear, Accurate, Up-to-date, Accessible and Unambiguous information, and we see this as a mark of quality that all members will want to be associated with.
Download the Code for Construction Products Information at www.buildingsafely.co.uk and register to have your say. The consultation will open on 1st February and run until 31 March.
FIS will be holding a webinar on Friday 5 February to expand on this introduction and discuss any questions that you may have before submitting your response. To register please follow this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/consultation-on-new-code-for-construction-product-information-tickets-138263563039
by Clair Mooney | 25 Jan, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Skills
FIS has launched Career and Competency Pathways ways as the first in a structured approach to defining competency and career paths within the Finishes and Interiors Sector.
The new Framework is built on the principles of the FIS Competency Skill, Attitude, Knowledge and Experience (SAKE) Framework and provides an example of how an individual can progress in a finishes and interiors occupation. It is designed to help companies manage competency in the face of intense scrutiny and new requirements coming into force through the Building Safety Bill. The Framework provides some standardisation and lays down clear criteria to assess and prove competence at every level of the workforce.
Commenting on the launch of the Pathways, FIS Skills and Training Lead George Swann said: “The Pathways brings a structured approach to career management based on the development of skills, knowledge and building experience. It aims to support and encourage career progression by passing defining competency gateways based on measured outcomes and linking this back to qualifications and training available. Our hope is that this makes it easier for everybody – new entrants, experienced workers, supervisors and managers – to follow how individuals progress within our sector and understand how to nurture and demonstrate competence.”
The Pathways looks at both formal and informal training requirements. Whilst formally recognised qualifications form the bedrock of progression through an occupation and are the criteria for CSCS card registration, these are not the only measure of competence. At each step in a career progression, the matrix suggests informal training that may support individual and organisational needs.
For new entrants to the sector, embedded in the matrix are details of apprenticeships delivered in each of the home nations. All listed training, qualifications and apprenticeships are available through the FIS Approved Training Provider Network.
“As a guide the matrix proposes ‘normal time frames’ based on the maximum formal qualification completion times or Total Qualification Times, but recognises individuals learn at different rates, so these may not always be applicable. Attitude and opportunity may move people through a career faster than others, but at each stage proof of competency is vital,” added George Swann.
Initial work has taken place on Drylining and Ceiling Fixing Pathways and FIS aims to launch further frameworks to cover the core occupational areas within the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector workforce in the coming months.
For more information and to view the Career and Competency Path click here
For more information on FIS Skills and Competency Work visit our the FIS Skills Hub
by Iain McIlwee | 19 Jan, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed
Residents will be protected through the establishment of a national regulator which will ensure materials used to build homes will be made safer, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced today (19 January 2021).
The regulator for construction products will have the power to remove any product from the market that presents a significant safety risk and prosecute any companies who flout the rules on product safety. This follows recent testimony to the Grenfell Inquiry that shone a light on the dishonest practice by some manufacturers of construction products, including deliberate attempts to game the system and rig the results of safety tests.
The regulator will have strong enforcement powers including the ability to conduct its own product-testing when investigating concerns. Businesses must ensure that their products are safe before being sold in addition to testing products against safety standards.
This marks the next major chapter in the government’s fundamental overhaul of regulatory systems. The progress on regulatory reform includes the publication of an ambitious draft Building Safety Bill, representing the biggest improvements to regulations in 40 years, and a new Building Safety Regulator that is already up and running in shadow form.
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
The Grenfell Inquiry has heard deeply disturbing allegations of malpractice by some construction product manufacturers and their employees, and of the weaknesses of the present product testing regime.
We are establishing a national regulator to address these concerns and a review into testing to ensure our national approach is fit for purpose. We will continue to listen to the evidence emerging in the Inquiry, and await the judge’s ultimate recommendation – but it is already clear that action is required now and that is what we are doing.
Business Minister and Minister for London Paul Scully said:
We all remember the tragic scenes at Grenfell Tower, and the entirely justified anger which so many of us in London and throughout the UK continue to feel at the failings it exposed.
This must never happen again, which is why we are launching a new national regulator for construction materials, informed by the expertise that already exists within the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety Dame Judith Hackitt said:
This is another really important step in delivering the new regulatory system for building safety. The evidence of poor practice and lack of enforcement in the past has been laid bare. As the industry itself starts to address its shortcomings I see a real opportunity to make great progress in conjunction with the national regulator.
Iain McIlwee, CEO of Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) stated:
Bad enforcement is worse than bad regulation as it tilts the market in the favour of the unscrupulous. At the heart of FIS strategy is the FIS Product Process People (PPP) Quality framework, it is no coincidence that the first P is Product. We welcome the new regulator and the principles set down in the Building Safety Bill and look forward to working with all involved in helping to lead improvements in quality and safety in the market.
The regulator will operate within the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) which will be expanded and given up to £10 million in funding to establish the new function. It will work with the Building Safety Regulator and Trading Standards to encourage and enforce compliance.
The government has also commissioned an independent review to examine weaknesses in previous testing regimes for construction products, and to recommend how abuse of the testing system can be prevented.
It will be led by a panel of experts with regulatory, technical and construction industry experience and will report later this year with recommendations.
Firestopping of service penetrations: a new best practice guide
by Clair Mooney | 15 Jan, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed
The Welsh Government has published its long awaited consultation on Safer Buildings in Wales. The documentation can be viewed here.
The White Paper sets out proposals for the comprehensive freeform of legislation that contributes to building safety in Wales. It focuses on legislative changes across the lifecycle of buildings aimed improving safety and minimising the risk of fire as well as setting out aspirations for cultural change in the way buildings are designed, constructed and managed.
The consultation proposes clear lines of accountability by creating new roles and responsibilities to those who own and manage relevant buildings. It will also provide a stronger regulatory system to hold those responsible to account. Residents will have enhanced rights and a stronger voice on matters affecting their homes.
The consultation closes on 12 April 2021. FIS will be responding to this consulation via the Construction Products Association, therefore members are encouraged to send their responses to joecilia@thefis.org by Monday 22 March 2021. We will then collate the feedback and submit a response to CPA.
by Clair Mooney | 14 Jan, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Drylining, Membership, Skills
FIS has launched two new Career and Competency Pathway documents for drylining and ceiling fixing occupations. With a focus on quality and safety within the sector, the pathways show how individuals can show proof of competence by the achievement of training and qualifications.
Through the FIS Skills Board and support for the ongoing competence work as part of the Grenfell Industry Response Group activities, FIS has a renewed focus on developing the principles outlined in the FIS Competency Framework (SAKE) which measures competency through a combination of skills, attitude, knowledge, experience.
The new career and competency pathways map the qualifications and training available against the critical stages of a career in drylining and ceiling fixing occupations. It provides a spine of information to help individuals and organisations to understand which steps to take and whether an individual is ready to progress through a better defined “gateway” to the next stage of their career. The pathway is aligning trained and assessed outcomes that support progression within the occupation, through to supervisory and management roles.
Commenting on the launch of the pathway, FIS Skills Board Chair, Paul Leach of Stortford Interiors said: “The aim of this work is to provide a better-defined pathway built around clear job roles and the stages within a career in key occupations within our sector. It will remain fluid and we can adapt it as new competency standards, qualifications and guidance emerges, but we felt it important to make a start to both support companies in managing competencies and help to present careers within the sector. The publishing of these pathways is a vital and clear rally call to the sector as we seek to improve competence within the workforce and address any skills shortages.”
FIS Skills and Training Lead, George Swann added: “Many are already well on this journey and undoubtedly there will be subtle differences within individual companies. But, by providing this standard pathway we can help all contractors and employers to understand what good looks like, benchmark where they are at and hopefully support a better culture of training and development through the sector. We often talk about skills and competency and default to a conversation about card colour, but a genuine focus on competency is much more than this and involves ongoing learning as well as effective supervision and management and providing support and encouragement for individuals. Having an organisational training plan supports social value requirements which are now prominent in contracts.”
The pathways are designed to be adapted by individual companies in-line with roles within organisations. FIS is working to provide more detailed standardised job descriptions to further support a consistent approach to career management within the industry, and developing pathways to cover all the core occupational areas associated with the Finishes and Interiors sector.
You can download the Career and Competency Pathway documents for Drylining and Ceiling Fixing occupations here
For further information or for any questions and comments please contact the FIS by email at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.
by Clair Mooney | 5 Jan, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed, Skills
We would like to hear your comments on a new competency standard that will be published this spring.
Government through the Ministry of Housing Community and local Government (MHCLG) have commissioned the production of a new competency standard (BSI Flex 8670 Built environment – overarching framework for building safety competence of individuals – specification).
This new standard will be used to produce specific standards for new roles listed in the Building Safety Bill and will form an overarching standard that will allow organisations such as FIS to produce competency standards for operatives in our sector. We see this as an opportunity to ensure that operatives installing safety critical products can measure their own competency, be recognised for their competency and have training available to progress their careers.
Objectives
This BSI Flex is intended to achieve four overarching objectives:
- Set core requirements for behavioural and building safety competence for all persons working in the built environment in order to improve industry culture and safety outcomes throughout the building life cycle.
- Drive adoption of consistent good practice in the development and use of competence assessment frameworks across the built environment.
- Enable consistent and objective evaluation of different sector-specific competence frameworks against common criteria by regulators, clients and employers.
- Support development of suitable mechanisms to provide robust assessment of individual competence.
The draft standard can be downloaded here.
Please send your questions and any comments to JoeCilia@thefis.org no later than midday on Thursday 28 January 2021 to be included within the FIS response.
