Spec Finish

Feature 20 www.thefis.org SpecFinish asked three FIS members who were all nominated for the Digital innovation category at the 2023 FIS Innovation Awards to tell us how their digital product is solving problems in the fit-out sector. WHAT PROBLEMS DIGITAL INNOVATION IS SOLVING S ome say that our sector is experiencing a digital revolution while others would say evolution. Either way digital innovation is on an upward surge. It is a vital solution to solving problems and will contribute to demonstrable improvements in competence, efficiency, process, quality outcomes, staff motivation and retention. Software and App developed for everyone involved in Passive Fire Products Mark Grove , Marketing &Brand Communications Director at FireDNA, explains the FireDNA Software andMobile App has been developed for everyone involved in Passive Fire Products. From specification (NBS Source), manufacture, installation, inspection, management andmaintenance. As well as for those that live and work in environments where Passive Fire Products are installed, which now under new legislation are required to be digitally recorded, monitored and that data made easily accessible. Mark said: “A building’s FireDNA data can also be accessed and utilised by Fire Inspectors, Maintenance Teams, Building Control and Insurers as well as by Tenants and Residents alike, with a simple swipe of a mobile device. It digitally links everyone in the chain of responsibility and creates a “Golden Thread” of information across the full product lifecycle from cradle to grave. “It was developed to address the cultural problem within the construction and fit-out sector that has built-up over many decades. The issue being the lack of information sharing, inter-trade communications, transparency and accountability. This has not only been between trades, but spans the whole supply chain, as was identified in the Dame Judith Hackitt Report following the Grenfell Tower disaster”. Mark explained that FireDNAhelps to solve many problems for passivefire products such as helping to enforce complianceRegulation 38, and supports the newBritish Standard for ‘Digital InformationManagement’ under BS8644-12022, facilitates the “Golden Thread” of information and improves collaboration and communication not only between trades, but also between specifiers, manufacturers and trades etc. everyone involved in the chain of resposibility. He said: “If you’re planning on investing in a digital solution for your business make sure you have a well-defined and researched set of parameters; what are you looking to achieve; does the digital solution deliver against those parameters; and if so at what cost? It’s also worth considering what the benefits will be for your customers, and if there are any up-sell opportunities, or advantages to be gained over your competitors. “In deploying any cloud-based digital solution whether that be for your accounts, or CRM system, the phrase coined by one of the early IBM software engineers “garbage in, garbage out” (GIGO) still very much applies today, so you’ll also need to budget for accurate data input if you want accurate data output”. Mark went onto say: “We feel at the moment the biggest factor limiting radical change is probably still cultural. “Amassive cultural shift is being forced into place, driven by legislation, but it’s going to take time to filter down through the sector. “You have businesses who are the early adopters, companies that have a strong sense of moral duty and want to do things better and are happy to be transparent but unfortunately you still also have those that are resistant to change, they don’t like to be told what to do, and often feel exposed in having to be more open, communicative, transparent and accountable. “Cultural change for us is followed closely by the uncertainty of what further legislation is coming down the line and what that’ll mean ‘for me, my business and my customers’ in the eyes of the sector. “This may be causing a reluctancy to invest in digital solutions right now, as there are no reassurances that today’s investment will be fit for tomorrow’s legislation. That said, none of us have a crystal ball, and everyone needs ‘at minimum’ to start making incremental changes now to make the built environment a safer place today and in the future”. www.fire-dna.com FireDNA – Monitoring Passive Fire Products app