Spec Finish

www.thefis.org 29 NEWS COMPANY The revised and updated Site Guide for Suspended Ceilings will help a project team fully understand the requirements of the suspended ceiling contractor. It was produced by the FIS Ceilings and Absorbers working group which comprises representation from manufacturers, suppliers and contractors involved in the design, supply and construction of ceiling systems. The site guide is intended to help main contractors, designers and project managers to understand the terminology, descriptors and different ceiling systems used, and the process of delivery, handling, planning the installation. It also provides an understanding of the site conditions, the plant and access equipment needed as well as highlighting the key health and safety points and requirements from the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM). Commenting on the updated guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS said: “In publishing this guide, FIS’s aim is to help the project team achieve a completed building that looks and functions to its full design potential. It is not intended as a definitive technical manual, but rather a framework that will support main contractors, site managers/ supervisors, designers, engineers and others involved through the building process.” The early appointment of a specialist suspended ceiling contractor who has the necessary experience and resources to achieve satisfactory completion is of major importance whilst contractor membership of FIS will be a significant indicator of a contractor’s suitability. Download the Site Guide for Suspended Ceilings at www.thefis.org/membership- hub/publications/site-guides For further information email: info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077 BowiqAcoustic Plaster – CastlefordPark Pacy &Wheatley has used a specialist acoustic spray system for Castleford Park Junior Academy in Castleford. The dining hall has a high ceiling with feature beams and ties across it, supporting the visible purlins. Old painted surfaces located between various pitches at a height of 8.4 metres and a footprint of around 180m² create an open space to enjoy at lunchtimes and after school clubs. But the high ceiling and sports hall floor resulted in poor acoustics throughout the room. The solution was to use 37.5mm of BoSpray, a cellulose acoustic spray with good reverberation absorption qualities, which reduced reverberation time from around 4.5 seconds to 1.75 seconds – a major improvement. www.pacy-wheatley.co.uk Kent based interior design and fit-out company, Rap Interiors, worked with other local businesses to support the residents and staff at Maidstone Care Homes last Christmas. Through a JustGiving page, the companies raised more than £6,000 to provide every resident with a present to open at Christmas. With strict lockdown restrictions, some residents couldn’t see their relatives at all, so the gifts helped to provide some smiles and love. The carers working at the Maidstone Care Homes were given a hamper full of goodies to share and additional hampers were sent to Maidstone Hospital. www.rapinteriors.co.uk A special Kent Christmas FIS launches revised Site Guide for Suspended Ceilings Pacy Wheatley’s specialist acoustic spray system for Castleford Park Junior Academy Portview completes new COVID testing lab FIS member, Portview, worked on the Surge Capacity Laboratory in MedCity, London with University College London to process 10,000 COVID tests a day. The time-critical project demanded some of the best in the industry, with experience and knowledge of the unique challenges that go hand-in-hand with the health sciences sector. HSL therefore selected Portview, alongside KB Architects, Stace, and Taylor Project Services to transform the existing space into a cutting-edge facility within just three months. To achieve this, Portview operated a 24/7 site and doubled factory shifts to produce the joinery ahead of schedule. Despite the knock- on effect of the pandemic on the global supply chain, Portview sourced and coordinated the delivery of materials fromoutside the UK safely, on time and in the quantities needed. www.portview.co.uk Fit-out specialist, Portview, has completed work on a Surge Capacity Laboratory in MedCity, Kings Cross, London. The 500m² testing facility will be used by Health Services Laboratories (HSL) in partnership