Technical Archives - Page 6 of 10

FIS launch Specifiers Guide to Partitioning

by Clair Mooney | May 3, 2022 | Technical

FIS has launched a Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning to help specification writers fully understand the criteria when writing a specification for partitioning, including moveable walls and pods.

The Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning was produced by the FIS Partitioning and Pods Working Group which comprises representation from manufacturers, designers and contractors working in the sector. Pulling together decades of experience, this guide is the fourth in the series of guides and is designed to help specifiers and designers understand the questions that should be addressed before the specification can be produced and then how the specification should be structured, and which standards referenced.

Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS said:

“Specifying partitioning seems, on the face of it, simple enough: consider the look, performance and cost, and there it is. If only it were that simple there would not be cases where inappropriate glass was used in guarding or the partition wasn’t performing acoustically because the flanking paths hadn’t been addressed”.

The guide explains the vast range of product options and how careful specification can help with relocatability in the building as well as enjoying enhanced tax benefits as well as reference material to regulations for safety, fire performance and standards.

“A well written specification not only ensures the installation meets the client’s requirements, but it also means the specifier’s requirements are less open to interpretation, which is key for the whole supply chain if they are going to deliver the quality and detail first time, on time,” added Iain McIlwee.

The guide sits alongside other FIS best practice guides that relate to partitioning:

FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme – FIS (thefis.org)

Best practice guide for installing Partitioning

Servicing operable walls

These guides work well when they are included in proposals and project plans to demonstrate how to best approach a project. They are also good differentiators when someone is in competition with non-members, and are an excellent introduction to new members of the team and any trainees and apprentices.

FIS plans to have CPD material to accompany the guide later in the year.

You can download the Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning at www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/specifiers-guides/partitioning/

For further information or for any questions please contact the FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.

Industry bodies launch labels to warn of the dangers of passing cables and pipes through compartment walls

by Clair Mooney | Mar 9, 2022 | Building Safety Act, Technical

The leading trade bodies representing fire protection, the fit-out and interiors sector and plasterboard manufacturers have come together to warn of the dangers in passing cables and pipes through firewalls used for compartments in buildings.

FIS joined forces with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) and the Gypsum Products Development Association (GPDA) to launch a labelling initiative to provide instant guidance on what to do when considering whether and how to pass cables and pipes through compartment walls.

One of the biggest issues facing M&E contractors who are employed to pass services through a building, is that they may not be aware that the partitions they need to pass through are fire rated, and any holes cut into them will negate the performance of the partition. This may allow smoke fumes and fire to pass through from one compartment to another, which could lead to loss of life, extensive damage to the building and have huge impacts on any business.

Often the route for these services is at high level through the void above ceilings, so the new labels will be placed on the firewall in the ceiling void by the contractors so that any facility manager, M&E or cabling contractor will be instantly aware of the performance of the compartment wall and importantly, where to find guidance in future.

The labels can be printed from a downloable pdf available at www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/technical/fire-protection/firestopping/fire-labelling/

ASFP, FIS and GPDA all believe that this simple initiative is not only good practice but has the potential to save lives and property.

FIS launch Specifiers Guide to Drylining

by Clair Mooney | Mar 1, 2022 | Drylining, Technical

FIS has today launched its Specifiers’ Guide to Drylining to help specification writers fully understand the criteria when writing a specification for drylining, including partitions, wall linings and shaft wall systems.

The Specifiers’ Guide – Drylining was produced by the FIS Drylining Working Group which comprises representation from manufacturers, designers and contractors working in the drylining sector. Pulling together decades of experience, this guide is the third in the series of guides and is designed to help specifiers and designers understand the questions that should be addressed before the specification can be produced and then how the specification should be structured, and which standards referenced.

Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS said:

“Specifying drylining seems, on the face of it, simple enough: consider the look, performance and cost, and there it is. If only it were that simple there would not be cases where evidence of fire compartmentation could fail or fail to perform because the issue wasn’t apparent during the specification process.”

The guide includes top tips when specifying drylining, as well as reference material to regulations for safety, fire performance and standards.

“A well written specification not only ensures the installation meets the client’s requirements, but it also means the specifier’s requirements are less open to interpretation, which is key for the whole supply chain if they are going to deliver the quality and detail first time, on time,” added Iain McIlwee.

The guide sits alongside other FIS best practice guides that relate to drylining:

Installation of Drylining

Site Guide:Drylining

These guides work well when they are included in proposals and project plans to demonstrate how to best approach a project. They are also good differentiators when someone is in competition with non-members, and are an excellent introduction to new members of the team and any trainees and apprentices.

FIS plans to have CPD material to accompany the guide later in the year.

Specifiers Guide to Drylining

Download your copy here

Government publishes five new Approved Documents

by Clair Mooney | Jan 13, 2022 | Technical

The government has published five new Approved Documents under the Building Regulations for England which will come into force on 15 June 2022. Below is a brief overview and link to each new Approved Document. If we become aware of any specific implications of these regulations and their interactions with existing regulations, we will highlight these at a later date.

New Approved Document Part O
The aim of requirement O1 is to protect the health and welfare of occupants of the building by reducing the occurrence of high indoor temperatures. In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement O1 is met by designing and constructing the building to achieve both of the following:

Limiting unwanted solar gains in summer.
Providing an adequate means of removing excess heat from the indoor environment.

Please find the new regulation HERE

Revision to AD Part L
Conservation of fuel and power

Revision to AD Part F
Ventilation

FIS responds to HSE issues warnings ahead of Building Safety Bill

by Iain McIlwee | Dec 15, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed, Technical

As part of work underway to establish a new Building Safety Regulator and reform the building safety system, HSE is urging those who design high-rise buildings to act now to prepare for the changes coming when the Building Safety Bill becomes law.

The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, aims to implement all of the recommendations set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s “Building a Safer Future” report, and in places goes further. The reforms include a more stringent approach to the design and construction of high-rise buildings, clearer responsibilities on designers to ensure these buildings are safe, and new measures so that everyone doing design or building work is competent to carry out that work in line with building regulations.

People working on the design of a high-rise building, from the development of a planning application through to building regulations approval will need to understand the building’s intended use, correctly identify the risks, and own and manage those risks to determine the safety of a building.

There will be a requirement to record and provide evidence of decision-making during the design process, and a need to be engaged throughout a building project to handover to the end client. Prepare now for these changes.

Peter Baker, Chief Inspector of Buildings at the Health and Safety Executive, said:

“Designers have a strong influence on safety and standards, particularly during the very early planning and design stages of a building project. Their decisions not only affect the safety of those carrying out the building work, but also those maintaining, using, or living in a building after it is built.

“I encourage designers to act now and prepare for the more stringent regulatory regime. HSE will continue to work with the building design industry and related businesses to support them to deliver safe and high-performing buildings and ensure that residents of high-rise buildings are safe, and feel safe, in their homes now and in the future.”

Colin Blatchford, Operational Policy Lead for Gateways and Building Control at HSE, said:

“Everyone involved in the design of high-rise buildings must take a proactive approach to managing building safety from the earliest stages of the design process. These changes are coming. Those involved need to plan ahead through correctly identifying, taking ownership and managing the risks – ensuring key decisions are recorded throughout the process.

“Once the Building Safety Bill becomes law, there will be a requirement for a safety case report when a building is completed and occupied. It is important to consider this at the early design stage for your clients and future residents’ safety.

“Building safety changes are coming and will affect everyone involved in a high-rise building project beyond its design. We urge that you act now.”

Responding to this statement, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:

“The Building Safety Bill offers a huge lever for change, but it needs to start with a recognition that design is detailed through the construction process and for the detailing to be effective we need the specialist contractors and manufacturers involved (and contracted) at a far earlier stage. Even with tighter regs, we will still see problems being resolved on the fly in difficult circumstances and under severe time pressure on site rather than designed out of the process at an earlier stage. This has to be about changing not just the way we design and build, but vitally how we procure the services, respect specialist knowledge and collaborate far more effectively through the project.”

You can find out more about the implementation of the Building Safety Bill here

CLC writes regarding UK Construction Products Regulations

by Clair Mooney | Nov 23, 2021 | Technical

The Construction Leadership Council has written to The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities & Local Government and The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to draw their attention to urgent industry concern in connection with the introduction of the UK CA Mark.

Read the letter here.

For the latest guidance on UKCA Marking and placing products on the market in January 2023 and beyond click here.