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www.thefis.org 17 for example. Exposure to this can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing or wheezing with severe exposure causing skin irritation, respiratory problems and pulmonary reactions¹, so minimising/limiting exposure to it can help reduce these effects and, therefore, leads to improved wellbeing. “Looking at acoustics, noise is known to cause physical and psychological stress which, in turn, can lead to cardiovascular disease, decreased productivity, difficulty in concentration and communication. Excessive loud noise over long periods can lead to hearing damage and loss. All these things will mean poorer wellbeing. So how does acoustics link with sustainability? Well, acoustic ceiling and wall products are needed to control reverberation in a space or to provide sound insulation between two spaces; therefore, improving acoustic comfort as well as other aspects such as light. These products need to be sustainable, so products that have EPDs, C2C certification and indoor emissions labels should be considered in order to assist in achieving standards such as LEED, BREEAM, WELL or Ska. “It’s vitally important to get the acoustics in a space right and therefore we encourage the design community to consider acoustics at the earliest possible stage. This should be done on a room by room basis and the use of the room is the key factor in ensuring the right products and performance are identified in the design process.” www.rockfon.co.uk References 1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/582279/Formaldehyde__ toxicological_overview.pdf 2 Lloyd’s Register Consulting - Energy A/S, Sound Insulation and Productivity 2017 3 Issue 17, Leesmanindex.com Positive environmental future FIS member, BW: Workplace Experts, rethinks every element of its projects for a sustainable future and has set itself a target to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. KimMorgan, Sustainability Director, explained that Net zero carbon is just one of the three layers BW: Workplace Experts has outlined as key areas to focus on to improve its business. Achieving true zero carbon status is very difficult to achieve, so many companies instead offset any carbon that cannot be removed from their processes by funding activities that reduce carbon by the same amount elsewhere (known as ‘Net Zero Carbon’). BWhopes to accomplish this for all direct and indirect emissions by 2030, along with achieving 100% circularity and zero waste, and a 100% sustainable and ethical supply chain. BWalso champions innovation and wants to be at the forefront of making the industry inclusive for all underrepresented groups so it is working with organisations that specialise in underrepresented groups. In order to re-think its employment practices, it provides unconscious/consciousness bias workshops which enable the whole business to become more educated on the topic. Kim Morgan, Sustainability Director at BW: Workplace Experts explains: “The action required for businesses to make drastic changes to the way they operate to ensure a sustainable future is now an emergency. BWwants to be part of the change, introducing forward-thinking green initiatives with its customers and partners to shape what it builds and how things are built. Our journey began some years ago by first rethinking the fit-out process and everything it entails, identifying areas that could be improved on quickly by the team, and then areas where BWwould need help from environmental experts. “Reducing waste will have the greatest impact on our carbon emissions and this has been the core of our strategy for several years now. There is always more to do but the combined dedication internally and externally has resulted in the continued integration of seven Rs; rethink, repurpose, reduce, reuse, re-home, recycle, and refuse.” Repurpose In a recent project BW completed a strip out, Cat B fit-out and refurbishment on a Government project in London. The building was transformed with a refreshing, modern look that also featured an art project made from recycled materials donated by BW donated construction materials from its projects. The Fallen Sky piece by artist, Mercedes Balle, serves as a reminder that waste can be reconfigured into something beautiful. Reduce BW implements plastic-free site signage across all projects. Site supplies are now delivered in corrugated paper packaging instead of plastic bubble wrap. The initiative is helping to reduce plastic pollution on land and sea, and also helps to drive down BW’s carbon emissions which are produced in the manufacturing processes of non-recyclable materials. Payments delayed or reduced? Progress delayed or disrupted? Working on site uneconomically? Denied fair prices for variations? Extensions of time refused? Liquidated damages imposed? Free initial consultation details on our website www.interiorsdisputes.co.uk Sustainability