Spec Finish

Technical www.thefis.org 11 the heart of FIS are the working groups, where the membership is split into specific core activities under the umbrella of the FIS technical team. He said: “The benefit of being part of a working group is the ability to come together and solve mutual problems and concerns. “In this instance, the working group shared a concern which resulted in the commissioning of a collaborative book by fellow heritage plaster members to solve a common issue of varying advice and technical expertise when specifying restoration techniques to lath and plaster ceilings. “We wanted easy to understand guidance, to educate anyone involved in the specification process, on the practical solutions available to themultiple varying scenarios and advise on the pros and cons against each solution to provide a good practice guide. “The depth of experience within the Heritage Plaster working group provided robust and practical solutions, which have been peer reviewed by the leading practical practitioners of the industry. Thankfully, this guide will now provide support to the specification thoughts on any conservation project.” Joe Cilia , FISTechnical Director said: “This new guidance brings together for the first time a number of suggested repair strategies that have been employed by the industry over years but nowwith the benefit of going through a thorough and robust peer review process.” Joe explained the guide will allow conservators, craft experts and building owners to assess the options and open up a collaborative and informed dialogue to agree a planned course of action to repair lath and plaster ceilings and where it can protect the unique and historical interiors of some of our most beautiful buildings. Joe said: “FIS represents a wide church of specialisms in our sector, from walls, ceilings, glass partitions, operable walls, steel framed systems, and heritage plaster. This work has been some of the most interesting and perhaps at the extremes of my knowledge set, so understanding the difference between sawn and riven (split) laths which provide a better surface to hold the plaster using a froe has been fascinating.” Joe concluded by saying: “The Repair of Historic Lath and Plaster Ceilings Guide will be an open source freely available to download by all on the FISwebsite. To readmore visit: www.thefis.org/membership-hub/ publications/best-practice-guides/heritage As an aside the term going to and froe comes from turning the froe to ensure an even split, and the term back to scratch comes from the practice of removing the top coat during a restoration or repair. Ceiling which is in need of repair Examples of where the Best Practice Guide should be used