Heritage and Fibrous Plastering Working Group

What is the FIS Heritage and Fibrous Plastering Working Group?

Formed in December 2014, this working group a focal point for FIS members who are involved in supplying materials for, or carrying out new and remedial work, to heritage and fibrous plaster ceilings and plaster works in new, heritage and historic buildings.

Our main objectives are:

• Develop technical standards as required (own the Technical Space)
• Promote best practice in the market
• Educate and inform clients and specifiers about Heritage work
• Promote the products and skills of FIS members in this field
• Shape the market so that the correct adherence to standards is recognised and adhered to by all to the benefit of clients
• Extend our independent advisory service to include expertise in Heritage works
• Support the main core activities of FIS
• Collaborate to support recruitment and development of a competent workforce

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 Theatre Ceiling Collapse and ensure that lessons are learned and best practice exchanged. The forum works with other Heritage-related organisations such as Historic England, The Theatres Trust and The Association of British Theatre Technicians to ensure the highest standards of safety and workmanship are maintained in plaster ceilings and plasterwork in historic buildings.

Current live projects include: 

• Developing a new guide to repairing Lathe and Plaster Ceilings (currently out for consultation – publication expected January 2023)
• Develop a standard for structural calculation when designing fibrous plaster ceilings.
• Developing a fire test and possible certification options to support column protection using Fibrous plaster
• Creating a new specifiers guide for Heritage Fibrous and GRG Plastering
• Create a quality check list for site installation
• Understanding degradation of fibrous plaster
• Working with training providers to support the recruitment and development of the workforce
• Looking at mechanisms to collaborate with the film sector to support a joined up approach to recruiting and developing plasterers

 The Group maintains and developes a number of technical guides and advice notes relevant to the sector, actively participates in the development of appropriate British (and where applicable European and International Standards) and conducts an annual benchmarking survey to aid understanding of the sector. 

Working Group Meetings?

Generally meetings are held as and when issues or matters arise that require the input, guidance and adherence of FIS members.  Meetings are open to members and invited guests.  From time time ad hoc task groups are established to support key projects.  At the meetings any issues identified in technical advisory work undertaken by FIS or raised through our annual benchmarking survey are reviewed as a group. They provide a forum to support an open and frank exchange of views, but vitally too a platform for action.

Notes of Previous Meetings

November 2022 – download here

April 2022 – download here

October 2021 – download here

November 2019 – download here

June 2019 – download here

March 2019 – download here