by Nicky Smith | 14 Jul, 2016 | Main News Feed
Construction employers and unions have reached agreement on an improved two year pay and conditions deal for workers covered by the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement.
The first 2.5% increase on basic rates of pay will be introduced from Monday 25 July 2016, with a further increase of 2.75% to be introduced from Monday 26 June 2017. The hourly rates cover general operatives, skilled and craft workers, and apprentices. For apprentices in the second or final year of training who are aged between 21 and 24, the National Minimum Wage must apply. This is currently £6.70 per hour for someone aged 21 to 24 and will increase to £6.95 per hour from 1 October 2016.
For apprentices aged 25 and over and in their second or final year of training the National Living Wage must apply. This is currently £7.20 per hour for someone aged 25 and over, and will increase from 1 April 2017.
Taxed daily travel allowance, which will come into effect as of 1 August 2016 and will now be calculated in miles rather than kilometres, will also increase by 2.75%. The non-taxed fare allowance will increase by the Retail Price Index (RPI) for the 12 month period to March 2017, subject to HMRC approval.
The non-taxed subsistence allowance of £36.00 per night will be increased in-line with RPI for the 12 month period to March 2017. New fare and travel allowance scales, as well as a new subsistence allowance, will be
promulgated in May 2017. Industry sick pay will be £118.00 per week and will increase to £122.50 per week from 2017.
Full details of all the new CIJC rates can be viewed on the Build UK website.
by Nicky Smith | 12 Jul, 2016 | Main News Feed
BSI has produced a document to provide the general reader with factual information on the possible impact of a UK decision to exit the European Union, in relation to UK participation in the making and use of European standards.
It comprises a set of questions and answers that summarizes the role of standards in the European Single Market. Read the document here.
by Nicky Smith | 4 Jul, 2016 | Main News Feed
FIS has uploaded a new Fact File in the Member Zone relating to Employment. Written by Build UK and approved by the Construction Leadership Council, the ‘Guidance for Employing Young People’ offers clear and consistent advice on how to manage the process for employing young people on site, whether as employees, apprentices or as part of work experience. Read the document here.
by Nicky Smith | 24 Jun, 2016 | Main News Feed
On Tuesday 21 June, FIS and The Association for Specialist Fire Protection joined forces at FIREX International 2016 in launching a new initiative.
The Fire Performance Partition Label aims to identify fire performance partitions to installers, M&E contractors, building owners and facilities managers, highlighting the risks of cutting holes in them to accommodate services.
Such holes negate the performance of the partition and allow smoke and fire to pass from one compartment to another, which could lead to loss of life and extensive damage to the building, as well as having huge impacts on the business. To find out more, visit: www.asfp.org.uk/webdocs/fire_labelling_scheme
The Fire Performance Partition Label fact sheet can be read here.
Find more documents regarding fire protection in the technical section of our Knowledge Hub.
by Nicky Smith | 22 Jun, 2016 | Drylining, Main News Feed
We have been advised by Robust Details that there have been instances where the resilient layer used to reduce structural sound transference between residences on different floors is being cut before the installation of the drylining. This is having a significant impact on the acoustic performance, and we have been asked to advise the sector of the correct method of installation where this resilient layer is present.
The resilient layer will be present around the perimeter of a room where a screed has been installed and should be placed against the floor prior to the installation of the drylining, any skirting should be installed prior to trimming any resilient layer still showing before sealing with acoustic sealant.
Robust Details has provided a technical note (available here) which includes links to clear and informative videos explaining this process. Should there be any doubt please consult with Robust Details or the site manger before removing any resilient layer on site.
by Nicky Smith | 15 Jun, 2016 | Main News Feed
CPA is developing a workshop on Flooding and Resilience which will be held on 3 August. They are looking for expressions of interest from manufacturers or contractors who have any experience of working on a flood resilience building project or have developed any products for this emerging market. Please email joecilia@thefis.org for more information.
