Ceiling and Absorbers Working Group

Formed by manufacturers, suppliers and contractors involved in the design supply and construction of ceiling systems to provide support for members and readily accessible and relevant information to allow ceiling systems to be specified, costed and installed correctly, efficiently and safely for contractors and occupiers of buildings.

What is the FIS Ceiling and Absorbers Working Group?

The FIS Ceilings and Absorbers Working Group was formed to address issues that were common to those working in the ceilings sector.   The core aim is to bring the supply chain together to be a driving force for change and to set members up for success.

The objectives of the group are to:

  • Develop technical standards as required
  • Promote best practice in the market, underpinning quality and the requirements of compliant and safe installations
  • Educate and inform clients and specifiers about ceilings
  • Promote the products and skills of FIS members in this field
  • Shape the market so that the correct standards are developed, recognised and adhered to by all to the benefit of clients
  • Develop relevant training and routes to demonstrate competency
  • Monitor commercial and legal issues

What are the key issues that the group is looking to address?

A pivotal role of the group has been to look at issues such as Ceiling Collapse and ensure that any core issues are interrogated.  As a direct result of this work, Best Practice Guidance has been developed to support the selection of ceiling fixings (see Key Resources section below).  The group has a number of workflows being led through small subgroups (these are made up of members of the working group, the FIS team and, where appropriate external stakeholders and experts.  Current live projects include: 

  • Reviewing the current site guides
  • Create a quality check list for site installation.
  • Consider what needs reviewing in BS EN 13964 Suspended ceilings. Requirements and test methods
  • Develop a guide for the safe ingress of materials to site
  • Develop a competency framework
  • Review the current SKA good practice measure for Ceilings

The Chairman of the FIS Ceilings and Absorbers Working Group is Neil Miller of QIC Trims

 

Working Group Meetings

Meetings are open to all members of the FIS and invited guests (prior confirmation of attendance is essential). 

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held in Spring 2024.

Notes from Previous Meetings

7 June 2023 – download the notes and actions here

16 November 2022 – download the notes and actions here

2 March 2022 – download the notes and actions here

23 September 2021 – download the notes and actions here

Group Chairman: Neil Miller

Sales Director, QIC Trims

To find a ceiling system supplier or installer who is a vetted member of FIS click here

Key resources developed through the FIS Ceiling and Absorbers Working Group

For a basic introduction to suspended ceilings and common terminology click here 

FIS Specifiers Guide – Ceilings and Acoustic Absorbers

FIS Best Practice Guide: Top Fixings for Suspended Ceilings

FIS Best Practice Guide – installation of suspended ceilings

A Resource Efficiency Action Plan for mineral wood ceiling tiles

Ceilings Knowledge Hub – For additional information developed through this group in support of contractors and designers you can visit the Ceilings Knowledge Hub

To find out more about joining the Ceiling and Absorbers Working Group

If you are a member of the FIS already, simply contact the FIS on info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077 and ask to be added to the circulation list (or book to attend the next meeting and you will be automatically added).  If you want to find out more about joining the FIS – click here

Key Resources developed through the FIS Ceiling and Absorbers Working Group

For a basic introduction to suspended ceilings and common terminology click here 

FIS Specifiers Guide – Ceilings and Acoustic Absorbers

FIS Best Practice Guide: Top Fixings for Suspended Ceilings

FIS Best Practice Guide – installation of suspended ceilings

A Resource Efficiency Action Plan for mineral wood ceiling tiles

Ceilings Knowledge Hub – For additional information developed through this group in support of contractors and designers you can visit the Ceilings Knowledge Hub

To find out more about joining the Ceiling and Absorbers Working Group

If you are a member of the FIS already, simply contact the FIS on info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077 and ask to be added to the circulation list (or book to attend the next meeting and you will be automatically added).  If you want to find out more about joining the FIS – click here