Spec Finish

News www.thefis.org 7 East Midlands interior fit-out specialist working at Silverstone HQ Interior fit-out specialist, DSP (Interiors), is preparing the new headquarters of a global telecoms giant at Silverstone Park near Northampton for mobile broadband device distributor, Livewire Telecom. DSP has been appointed principal designer and contractor on the project at the heart of the Silverstone Technology Cluster and has worked closely with Livewire TelecomMD, Richard Gallant, on the plans to transform the 12,000² ft unit into a bespoke workplace that includes glass office partitions and glass doors, glazed fire screens and solid office partition systems, along with suspended office ceilings and drop-down ceilings with bespoke lighting, as well as the installation of artwork, shelving and racking. DSP Director, Andy Priestley, said: “We are really excited to be working with Livewire Telecom on their new headquarters at Silverstone Park. “We’ve carried out in-depth design and planning of the fit-out to make sure we can deliver the completed unit to Livewire in the fastest time to ensure operations can get up as running as soon as possible.” www.dsp-solutions.co.uk CITB opening of the National Construction Colleges (NCC) Face-to-face training has resumed at all CITB National Construction Colleges (NCC) across England and Scotland. The wellbeing of delegates and teaching staff continues to be of upmost importance and CITB state they have been diligent in following all government guidelines. They are monitoring government advice, especially in respect of regional variations, to ensure the colleges meet the standards required to keep everyone safe while training. The range of courses available through remote training has been increased, including Health and Safety Awareness, SSSTS Refresher, Temporary Works, SEATS and CDM Regs. See more at www.tinyurl.com/y48dndbw and you can book by calling 0344 994 4433. Etex acquires fire- stopping business Etex Group has acquired FSi Limited as it continues to grow its presence in the UK passive fire protection market. With an annual turnover of around £20 million, FSi is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of firestopping products, including intumescent sealants and ablative-coated stone wool batts. Themove strengthens Etex’s ability to provide comprehensive lightweight construction solutions for clients through its Building Performance division, in particular complementing its Siniat and Promat brands which provide plasterboard and passive fire protection systems respectively. The acquisition also supports Etex’s OEMsolutions for industrial clients through its Industry division. Alongside its head office and manufacturing base in Measham, Leicestershire, FSi has a manufacturing facility in Cowdenbeath, Scotland and a distribution depot in West Thurrock, Essex. With a 20-year track record, it has built a reputation for technical and application expertise in the firestopping market. Patrick Balemans, Head of Etex Building Performance (North West Europe), said: “There’s a strong fit between FSi’s product portfolio and our existing Promat and Siniat passive fire protection and drylining ranges, and OEM applications. “This acquisition reinforces our ability to provide clients with fully tested and certified material systems – something we know the market is increasingly demanding, particularly as newfire safety legislation comes through fromgovernment. The addition of FSi’s fire-stopping range expands our capability to develop warrantied lightweight construction systems under one roof, giving clients and partners peace of mind that thesematerials will deliver on their performance promises.” www.etexgroup.com COVID-19 ‘new normal’ could boost site productivity An academic study of six major construction schemes that successfully adopted to safer distance working, revealed that embedding many working practices born out of the urgent challenges of the pandemic offer an opportunity for long-term rises in construction productivity and safety. Researchers at Loughborough University found that while overall site productivity was negatively impacted by social distancing requirements, individual and team effectiveness and productivity actually improved. They saw better and more detailed task planning, reduced waiting time between tasks, increased space and therefore less overlap of trades. There was also a boost in the use of technological solutions, more responsibility for individuals and less meetings. Balfour Beatty, GKR Scaffolding, Kier, Mace, Morgan Sindall, and Skanska opened their sites to researchers. One manager highlighted they had seen a 50% workforce reduction but only 30% reduction in output. Factors behind productivity uplift: • better and more detailed task planning; • more space, fewer people and less overlap of trades in the workplace improves gang/task productivity; • better planning by workers e.g. preparation of workplaces re: tools and materials; • less double handling of materials; • fewer people ‘hanging around’ waiting to start work/tasks; • more streamlined worker flow due to workers staggering their start times, reducing the need to queue for site access or changing rooms; and • people chatting less (due to distancing, one-way walkways etc.), less talking on phones. Paying tribute to the phenomenal effort by site staff, frontline workers and occupational health and safety professionals to adapt safely and efficiently to the rapidly evolving situation, the report strongly recommends that individual companies and projects conduct a ‘lessons learned’ review to ensure that positive changes are embedded.