Fit-Out Working Group
The FIS Fit-out Working Group was formed to represent and support the the interior fit-out sector, identify challenge and opportunities and to set standards that are recognised and adopted by the industry for the benefit of all in the fit out and finishes sector. The group also helps to channel the information developed through the wider working groups to ensure the wider work of the FIS.
Objectives of the Fit-out Working Group are…
- Promote best practice in the market
- Educate and inform clients and specifiers about the fit-out process
- 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
- Provide and develop UK market data and support benchmarking
- Develop technical and ethical standards as required
- Understand design trends across the sector from commercial offices through the industrial, hospitality, healthcare and wider retail sector
Publications developed by this group:
Client Guide: Office Fit Out and Refurbishment
This guide explains the step by step the process, along with outlining the professional help available, to help ensure a successful outcome. It will guide you through the process from the initial decision as to whether to smarten up your current office or relocate and fit-out new premises, through to post occupancy evaluation.
- Other relevant publications:
Key Activities of the FIS Fit-out Working Group
The group regularly holds Design Roundtables, the most recent discussion on the impact of the pandemic on current design trends was guest chaired by Mark Catchlove, Director of Global Insight, Herman Miller and published in SpecFinish – November 2021.
Upcoming online forums: In 2022 the group plans to host a number of events, open to all members using keynotes and discussion groups to explore developments in the fit-out sector. Subjects will include:
- Sustainability
- Light and colour
- Biophilic design
- The modern workspace
- Acoustics
- Contracts and procurement
If you are interested in participating in future forums or proposing a subject, email: iainmcilwee@thefis.org
Other activities:
In 2022 FIS is starting work to develop its application and ongoing vetting process to help raise standards in the sector. The fit-out group will be consulted on relevant elements to ensure that it is effectively targeted and run to help uphold the values of the organisation and raise standards in the sector. You can find out more here.
To support this work, FIS is conducting deeper research into procurement and tendering practices in the sector with Reading University and Barbour ABI to look at how we can increase efficiency and unlock innovation by revisiting the time allocations through the process.
Acoustic Verification – 
In response to confusion raised by clients and concerns expressed within the industry related to the comparability of acoustic airborne sound insulation tests, members of the FIS tasked the organisation to develop and promote a framework for third-party verification of airborne sound insulation test results. The FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme has been created to enable members to verify tests against an agreed criterion and a methodology to present these to market in a consistent and transparent manner. Products currently in scope include operable walls and glazed partitions and FIS is currently looking at a new system to categorise Adaptable Meeting Rooms (AMR) and pods find out more here.
Delivering Quality and Sustainability – FIS is committed to improvement in quality and reducing risk through the nd to support quality in the sector (aligned to the FIS Product Process People Quality Framework (which includes tools for members available via the FIS Risk Management Toolkit) .
This work is supported through our range of FIS Working Groups (e.g. Drylining, Ceilings, Partitions, Operable Walls, Heritage and Fibrous Plastering and SFS). FIS has developed resources to support the Fit-out Working Group, including our new range of Specifiers Guides. Also very relevant to this group is our work on Skills, led by the FIS Skills Board, our Digital Construction Working Group and Sustainability Working Group.
Promoting the FIS Fit-out Community…
#FitOutTop500 draws together the Top 500 influencers and players active on Twitter in the Fit-Out Sector, including finishes and interior systems – such as ceilings, drylining, operable walls, partitions, plastering, heritage plastering and raised-access flooring.
Curated in association with FIS @fisorg. The Leaderboard updates weekly on a Monday and ranks players on the basis of scores that measure interactions and influence across all major social media channels and online, with the metrics provided via leading independent platform Kred.
Specialist Interiors Hub – FIS has partnered with Barbour ABI to extend its reach, educate and take our content directly to specifiers and building designers. This also enables members to extend their presence on Barbour ABI through the FIS Specialist Interiors Hub and access discounts on core services available from Barbour ABI. Visit the hub here. We have also partnered with NBS through a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to develop technical support for the
The FIS Contractors Awards aim to promote and encourage high levels of craftsmanship in the finishes and interiors sector. All contracts entered are visited by two award judges; the architect or interior designer of the winning contracts will also receive an award. The Awards are open to any FIS member with contractual responsibility for the project.