Technical Support
FIS maintains a technical team who work with the industry to set standards and to support members, specifiers and clients and works to raise quality in the sector.
Sub-sectors within the Finishes and Interiors Sector
FIS serves the diversity of sectors in the Finishes and Interior Sector through its working groups and specialist knowledge hubs. To help specifiers contractors and those simply looking to find out more, we have collated some key relevant information in the links below.
Drylining – Drylining is constructed on site to provide partitions, wall innings and ceilings using plasterboard on a framework, typically of light gauge steel sections in highrise residential, commercial, education and health facilities and timber stud in low rise housing.
Suspended Ceilings – Suspended ceilings are a linier membrane hung by a suspension from a steel framework from the soffit above. They provide acoustic and can provide fire performance as well as light reflectance, and provide a void to hide mechanical electrical and plumbing services (MEP)
Partitioning – Partitioning can be formed from drylining or proprietary framed or unframed glass systems to delineate space and provide acoustic fire and barrier separation. Partitions tend to be non loadbearing but can be demountable and some are relocatable to provide flexibility.
Plastering – Plaster is a building material used for the protective or decorative coating of walls and ceilings and for moulding and casting decorative elements. The most common types of plaster mainly contain either gypsum, lime, or cement, but all work in a similar way. Plastering is used in buildings of all types and embraces the traditional skills and competencies to inspect, report and maintain our stock of heritage buildings from stately homes to Theatres, banks and town halls as well as providing off site fibrous plaster used in retail parks hotels and new builds.
Operable Walls – Operable walls are panelised partitions usually mounted from the soffit to provide flexible division of space and are often seen in exhibition halls, hotels, schools colleges and universities.
Steel Frame Systems – SFS Light Gauge Steel Framing systems provide the framework to infill between floors on the external skin of buildings and can be used to provide an off site manufactured load bearing framing used in modern methods of construction (MMC)
Site Carpentry and Joinery – Carpenters and joiners make and install wooden fixtures and fittings as part of construction projects. They may be involved in new builds or in renovation and alteration of existing buildings and structures.
FIS is currently working to produce this section of the website. We currently have more information in the drop downs below.
Fire protection information
FIS has a core objective to improve safety and quality in construction. In this capacity, FIS has dedicated significant resource to supporting the various Working Groups set up as part of the Review by Dame Judith Hackitt to ensure that safety standards improve and the Grenfell tragedy is never repeated. To support improvement FIS has developed the Product Process People Quality Management Framework.
DEBATE: What does the draft Building Safety Bill mean and how will it impact construction?
Access the recording of our recent live debate where we gave an overview of draft Bill itself, looking at proposed Gateways, how the Golden Thread of information will be managed and regulated and how the new Regulator will operate. You can access the recording at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4327119625171079948
Firestopping of service penetrations: a new best practice guide
To assist in the design, specification and installation of building services penetrations to ensure fire compartmentation is maintained, five leading not-for-profit organisations have launched a Best Practice Design and Installation Guide, Firestopping of Service Penetrations.
The aim of the guide is to encourage all stakeholders in construction to consider firestopping design earlier in the process in order to avoid problems at a later stage in construction. It is not an installation manual but guidance to a good practice approach. The guide is broken down to provide information on actions that should be carried out during each of the stages one to seven as defined in the RIBA Plan of Work.
The guide was launched via a Webinar – you can access the recroding at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5042664199543985680
Building a Safer Future
Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: final report – The review’s final report (commonly referred to as the Hackitt Review) was commissioned by government following the Grenfell Tower fire to make recommendations on the future regulatory system.
Building a safer future: an implementation plan – This plan sets out the government’s programme of work to ensure people who live in residential high-rise buildings are safe and feel safe, now and in the future.
Building Regulations
Fire safety: Approved Document B
Building regulation in England covering fire safety matters within and around buildings. This was updated on the 5 July 2019 and comes into force on the 30 August 2019. There are no technical changes (a separate Call for Evidence on the technical content closed on 15 March 2019 and is currently being considered before further announcements are made in due course), however the document has been redrafted to clarify language and content to be in line with MHCLG’s new style for these documents. The document has now been split between dwellings and non-dwellings (previously it was split dwellings houses and other buildings).
Building Bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools
The publication of Building Bulletin 100 (BB 100) is a landmark in improving fire safety in schools. It brings together guidance on how to make schools even safer places for children to be in, with guidance on how to protect the continuity of their education.
FIS Technical Guidance
Best Practice Design and Installation Guide, Firestopping of Service Penetrations.
Compatibility between pipes and fire and acoustic seals
FIS Fire Protection Labelling system to improve Fire Safety
FIS Technical Note – Regulation 38 – Fire Safety
FIS Approved Document B Guidance
FIS Technical Note – RISK and Building Regulations
FIS Technical Note – Third Party Certification
FIS Technical note – Fire FAQs
Legal Advice Note – Fire Protection Issues and your business
Fire – Understand your responsibilities
AIS Insight April 2013 – Penetrations
Technical Note – Fire Labelling Scheme with ASFP
Installing partitioning to the underside of structural beams coated with Intumescent paint
Other Guidance: relevant publications and articles
Fire Doors and Doorsets
Doors almost always feature in any commercial or residential refurbishment project. Whether for redecoration, renovation or replacement, where fire doors are concerned it is essential to understand the legal implications around their installation, maintenance and repair. FIS works with colleagues from across the industry to ensure that members are briefed on best practice related to Fire Doors.
What every contractor needs to know about Fire Doors
Fire Doors and Doorsets – Refurbishment Best Practice Guide
Aluminium Composite material (ACM) cladding
Fire test report: DCLG BS 8414 test no.5 – The report of the result of the fifth large scale test which shows how Aluminium Composite material (ACM) cladding with a limited combustibility filler with PIR foam insulation behave in a fire.
SpecFinish: A Focus on Fire
Raising Standards in Fire Protection
Fire: Understand Your Responsibilities
Drylining and Passive Fire Protection
Getting Fire Protection Right can change Lives
Technical Fire Stopping in Drywall Systems
Passive Fire Protection, how to deliver on Regulation 38
Other Useful Online links:
A Guide to Office Acoustics
‘A Guide to Office Acoustics’ promotes best practice in the design and installation of acoustic solutions in offices. It encompasses the needs of a range of audiences, including first time office occupiers, clients, specialist contractors, suppliers, designers, architects and acousticians.
Download FIS Guide To Office Acoustics
Download FIS Acoustic Guide Key Learning Points
For a full list of FIS Publications click here
FIS Best Practice Guides
The FIS Best Practice Guides are an essential guide to selection, planning and installation of key products and systems integral to the finishing and interiors sector. They are designed to give an overview and support understanding for all involved in the process. FIS encourages all of our members to follow the principles set out in these guides.
The following guides are available for download:
- FIS Best Practice Guide: Top Fixings for Suspended Ceilings
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- Approach to safe anchorage for suspended ceilings
- Specification of top fixings for suspended ceilings
- Top fixing selector chart for suspended ceilings
- Installation and testing of top fixings for suspended ceilings
- Site register of proof testing of top fixings for suspended ceilings
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- FIS Best Practice Guide – installation of suspended ceilings
- FIS Best Practice Guide – installation of partitioning
- FIS Best Practice Guide – maintenance and access into suspended ceilings
- FIS Best Practice Guide – installation of drylining
- Best Practice Design and Installation Guide, Firestopping of Service Penetrations.
These Best Practice Guides are available to download from the publications section of this website
FIS Site Guides
The FIS Site Guides have been written for the construction team as a practical guide to provide specialist knowledge in relation to health and safety, storage, handling, fixing and sequencing with other trades.
- FIS site guide – drylining
- FIS site guide – glazed partitions
- FIS site guide – partitioning
- FIS site guide – raised access flooring
- FIS site guide – suspended ceilings
- FIS site guide – wallcoverings
- FIS site guide – SFS Guide
The FIS Site Guides are available to download from the publications section of the FIS website.
FIS Technical Notes / Industry Alerts
Plastering – a guide for homeowners
Technical Note – causes of cracks in plasterboard joints
How Partitioning can help manage social distancing
Technical note – Magnesium Oxide Boards
Technical note – Compatibility between pipes and fire and acoustic seals
Technical note Regulation 38 – Fire Safety
Technical Note – How to improve the quality of internal finishes
Safety Update: Standing Committee on Structural Safety issues safety alert
Technical Note – Guidance to minimise plasterboard waste
Technical Note – Operable Walls
Technical Note – Plywood Pattress
Technical Note – Specifying Partitioning
10 key points for writing a smart specification
Technical note from Robust Details
Technical Note – Transition Trims
Technical Note – RISK and Building Regulations
Technical Note – Standards for Plaster Finish
Technical Note – Third Party Certification
Technical Note – Spontaneous Breakages of Toughened Glass
Technical Note – HSG168 – Fire Safety in Construction
Technical note – A guide to mounting wall panels
Reissuing of test report when only the trade name/trademark has changed
Timeline for the development of European Assessment Documents
Archive of Interesting SpecFinish Technical Updates
SpecFinish November 2019
SpecFinish September 2019
Fire door compliance – the essentials
SpecFinish September 2019
Performance certification, warranty and compliance statements
SpecFinish March 2018
Creating the right image with your pictures
SpecFinish January 2018
Standards – and why they are our friend
FIS Focus November 2017
SpecFinish November 2017
Floors: different types for different requirements
SpecFinish September 2017
SpecFinish July 2017
Ceilings – consider the options and achieve the performance
Plasterboard – A margin of error
FIS Focus June 2017
Office Fit-Out: all you need to know
SpecFinish May 2017
Ironmongery in three words: detail, detail, detail
SpecFinish March 2017
SpecFinish November 2016
Performance is the priority with doors
2013
Great Expectations – many a dispute has arisen on site as to what is an acceptable finish. Often this is purely down to a difference in expectations between the parties involved.
A list of Key British Standards Relevant to the Finishes and Interiors Sector
As an affiliate of the British Standards Institution, FIS members can purchase their standards directly from the BSI Shop. Visit our Membership Hub to find the top five standards in the fit-out sector.
Acoustic British Standards
BS EN ISO 140-18:2006 Acoustics: Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and building element. Laboratory measurement of sound generated by rainfall on building elements – Current
BS EN ISO 717-1:2013 Acoustics: Rating of sound insulation in buildings and building elements – Current
BS EN ISO 717-2:2013 Acoustics: Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements. Impact sound insulation – Current
BS 8233:2014 Guidance of sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings – Current
BS EN 10140-1:2016 Acoustics: Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Application rules for specific products – Current, Under review
BS EN 10140-2:2010 Acoustics: Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Measurement of airborne sound insulation – Current, Under review
BS EN 10140-3:2010 + A1:2015 Acoustics: Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Measurements of impact sound insulation – Current, Under review
BS EN 10140-4:2010 Acoustics: Laboratory measurements of sound insulation of building elements. Measurements procedures and requirements – Current, Under review
BS EN 10140-5:2010 + A1: 2014 Acoustics: Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Requirements for test facilities and equipment’s – Current, Under review
BS EN ISO 11654 Acoustics: Sound absorbers for use in buildings. Rating of sound absorption – Current
BS EN 12354-5:2009 Building acoustics: Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements. Sound absorption in enclosed spaces – Current
BS EN 12354-6:2003 Building acoustics: Estimation of acoustic performance of building from the performance of elements. Sound absorption in enclosed spaces – Current
BS EN ISO 12354-1:2017 Building acoustics: Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements. Airborne sound insulation between rooms – Current
BS EN ISO 12354-2:2017 Building acoustics: Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements. Impact sound insulation between rooms – Current
Business Information Modelling (BIM) British Standards
PAS 1192-5:2015 Specification for security-minded building information modelling, digital built environments and smart asset management – Current
BS 1192:2007 + A2:2016 Collaborative production of architectural, engineering and construction information. Code of practice – Current
PAS 1192-2:2013 Specification for information management for capital/delivery phase of construction projects using business information modelling – Current
BS 1192-4:2014 Collaborative production of information. Fulfilling employer’s information exchange requirements using COBie. Code of practice – Current
BS 8536-1:2015 Briefing for design and construction. Code of practice for facilities management (Buildings infrastructure) – Current
PAS 1192-6 Specification for collaborative sharing and use of structured Health and Safety information using BIM – In Development
PAS 1192-7 Construction product information 0 Specification for defining, sharing and maintaining structured digital construction product information – In Development
Suspended Ceilings British Standards
BS EN 13964:2014 BSI Standards publication/ Suspended ceilings – requirements and test methods – Current
BS 8539:2012 Code of practice for selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry – Current
Fire Safety Standards
BS 476-3:2004 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Classification and method of test for external fire exposure to roofs – Current
BS 476-10:2009 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Guide to the principles, selection, role and application of fire testing and their outputs – Current
BS EN 1363-1:2012 Fire resistance tests. General requirements – Current
BS 5266-1:2016 Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises – Current
BS 5839-1:2017 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises – Current
BS 8214:2016 Timber-based fire door assemblies. Code of practice – Current
BS 9999:2017 Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings. Code of practice – Current
BS EN 12845:2015 Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic sprinkler systems. Design, installation and maintenance – Current
BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using test data from reaction to fire test – Current
BS EN 13823:2002 Reaction to fire tests for building products. Building products excluding floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item – Current
Flooring British Standards
BS 5385-2:2015 Wall and floor tiling. Design and installation of external ceramic, natural stone and mosaic wall tiling in normal conditions. Code of practice – Current
BS 5385-3:2014 Wall and floor tiling/ Design and installation of internal and external ceramic and mosaic floor tiling in normal conditions/ Code of practice – Current
BS 5385-4:2015 Wall and floor tiling/ Design and installation of ceramic and mosaic tiling in special conditions/ Code of practice – Current
BS 8203:2017 Installation of resilient floor coverings – Current
BS 13658-1:2005 Metal lath and beads definitions – requirements and test methods. Part 1: Internal Plastering – Current
BS 13658-2:2005 Metal lath and beads definition- requirements and test methods. Part 2: External Plastering – Current
Partitioning British Standards
BS EN 520:2004 + A1:2009 Gypsum plasterboards: Definitions, requirements and test methods – Current
BS 5234-1:1992 Partitions (including) matching linings)/ Code of practice for design and installation – Current
BS 5234-2:1992 Partitions (including) matching linings)/ Specification for performance requirements for strength and robustness including methods of test – Current
BS 12859:2011 Gypsum blocks – Definitions, requirements and test methods – Current
BS 12860:2001 Gypsum based adhesives for gypsum blocks – Definitions, requirements and test methods – Current
BS 13729-1:2008 Gypsum binders and gypsum plasters/ Part1: Definitions and requirements – Current
BS 13729-2:2014 Gypsum binders and gypsum plasters/ Part2: Test methods – Current
BS EN 13914-2:2016 Design, preparation and application of external rendering and internal plastering. Internal plastering – Current
BS 8212:1995 Code of practice for dry lining and partitioning using gypsum plasterboard – current
Structural British Standards
BS 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010 Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Wind actions – Current
BS 1993-1-3:2006 Eurocode 3. Design of steel structures. General rules. Supplementary rules for cold-formed members and sheeting – Current
BS 1995-1-1:2004 + A2:2014 Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures. General. Common rules and rules for buildings – Current
Workmanship British Standards
BS 8000-0:2014 Workmanship on construction sites: Introduction and general principles – Current
BS 8000-5:1990 Workmanship on building sites: Code of practice for carpentry, joinery and general fixings – Current
BS 8000-7:1990 Workmanship on building sites: Code of practice for glazing – Current
BS 8000-8:1994 Workmanship on building sites: Code of practice for plasterboard partitions and dry linings – Current
BS 8000-9:2003 Workmanship on building sites: Cementitious levelling screeds and wearing screeds- code of practice – Current
BS 8000-11:1989 Workmanship on building sites: Code of practice for wall and floor tiling/ Section 11.1 Ceramic tiles, terrazzo tiles and mosaics – Current
BS 8000-12:1989 Workmanship on building sites: Code of practice for decorative wallcoverings and painting – Current
Note: FIS Members can purchase BSI Standards through the FIS at discounted rates – to find out more contact the FIS team on 0121 707 0077 or info@thefis.org
I appreciated your time yesterday in answering all our questions. The information was what we were looking for and you helped explained it all in a way which was digestible and easy to understand.