Spec Finish

Design www.thefis.org 25 Thanks to the involvement of BG during the early stage of the design we had an immediate avenue to work through technical details. Rather than reviewing the project specific instances, BG suggested they hold a CPD to walk us through the newly released document ‘Best Practice Guidance’ published in August 2020. During conversations with BG it became very evident that there is a disconnect between spacing and placing of apertures (as per legislative requirements/testing of MEP and firestopping elements) compared to what most drywall systems can deliver. Put simply, legislation dictates we maintain 200mm between apertures with no maximum size. On fire rated walls, the majority of drywall companies (including BG) advise that a pier size of 300mm is maintained on the metal work between adjacent apertures (this increases if reveal boards are added), if this is to be reduced, then apertures need to be staggered vertically by 200mm and the maximum size aperture for multiple services is achieved is by bridging one cut stud. Manipulating design Through no fault of their own, the MEP trade package had worked to the 200mm spacing but hadn’t taken into consideration where critical studs needed placed to accommodate the architectural and MEP apertures Thankfully, this was a BIM project so by introducing some additional levels of development on some of the elements (critical vertical MF studs) we could update and utilise to clash detect. Working closely with the MEP trade contractor we then carried out a floor-by-floor review, agreeing how and where to manipulate the Stage 4 MEP and architectural design to work within the system parameters of the drywall system. By working collaboratively, we reduced the non-conformances of the specified BG system by around 60%. FIS guidance and compliance Then, Portview had to undertake the design and integration of the secondary steel structure to support instances where we fell outside of the system parameters. BG had also issued revised guidance on how the supporting structure to their system needed to be independently fire protected. You would think that if it’s encased within the drywall system it is fine, but this isn’t the case. But is this level of redesign, including introduction of secondary steel, firestopping of same and repositioning of much of the services to be considered as normal Stage 4-5 development? This is where Portview approached FIS to see if they could help with how other contractors were overcoming the difficulties these revised guidelines were bringing to site. As always, FIS supported and directed us to a recently compiled document on this exact issue, ‘Firestopping of service penetrations – best practice in design and installation’ ( www.thefis. org/membership-hub/publications/ best-practice-guides/firestopping-of- service-penetrations ). This outlines most of the challenges we had just faced but also set out the best RIBA Stage where each element of work is best placed to be carried out in terms of time and cost (Spatial co- ordination at Stage 3). This is again a very useful document, which I have since used on many occasions to highlight the issue but also to ascertain what level of coordination has been undertaken at Stages 3 to 4. If not completed, then this is something the contractor will inevitably have to pick up, but costs a substantial amount of time and money to complete. This project is not finished yet but looking at our current coordinated design, I can comfortably say we are in a much better place in terms of compliance than we were at the outset. www.portview.co.uk FIS is proud to partner with the next Workspace Design Show, which will take place on 27 and 28 February 2023 at the Business Design Centre in London. This event is a must-attend for anyone in the sector – and it is free to attend! FIS ATTHEWORKSPACE DESIGN SHOW Interested in exhibiting? For more information, contact clairmooney@thefis.org Free to attend Register for updates here www.workspaceshow.co.uk/register-to-attend Venue TheWorkspace Design Show 2023 will be held at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH ( www.tinyurl.com/4x3jr6rt ) T HE theme of the show, ‘DestinationWorkplace’ is all about ‘spaces where people want to be,’ and soWorkspace Design Show2023will focus on products that advocate building a culture that attracts, retains andmotivates employees, thus, putting the office at the heart of all business operations. This will be supported by a comprehensiveWorkspace Design Talks programme that will see thought leaders from across the commercial interiors industry discuss key issues and current trends that are shaping the future of workspaces. FIS involvement with the show TheWorkspaceDesign Showbrings together the entire commercial interiors community to discover and discuss tomorrow’sworkspaces. As a showpartner, FISwill have a dedicated exhibitor areawith a speaker stage, wherewewill host a series of seminars and panel discussions throughout the two days on topics specifically related to thefinishes and interiors sector. FIS will host a series of seminars and panel discussions at the 2023Workspace Design Show