FIS consults on fit-out design framework after contractors report immature design packages

The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) trade body has opened a consultation on a Fit-out Design Framework and two draft drylining documents, after its research found growing concern among major fit-out contractors about the maturity of the design information they receive.

FIS said packages described as Stage 3, Stage 3+ or Stage 4 "vary widely in how far the design has actually been developed", and that contractors have little opportunity to test inherited design before they are asked to price it.

At novation, FIS said, "it is often unclear which decisions have been made, which remain open and who is responsible for closing them". It added that "Principal Designers are often providing less coordination than contractors anticipate", and that package designers are increasingly expected to resolve decisions that should have been settled earlier, "frequently" without the corresponding fee, programme, information or insurance cover.

The body said the speed of fit-out delivery, which University of Reading research identified as a defining characteristic of the sector, made all of these problems worse. "Compressed programmes leave little time to resolve design before responsibility moves on," it said.

The framework

According to FIS, the Fit-out Design Framework is designed to work alongside the RIBA Plan of Work rather than replace it. It adds a Checkpoint at the close of each RIBA stage, "which tests what has been decided, evidenced and accepted, and by whom".

At each Checkpoint, every design element is declared Confirmed, Nominal or Unresolved. FIS said this gives contractors "a clear basis for distinguishing what they are being asked to price from what they are being asked to design".

The principle at novation, FIS said, is that the designer changes but the design does not. "Any gaps that are inherited remain open until they are defined, priced and accepted," it said.

Stage 4 is split into two Checkpoints. Ready to Price means the information is sufficient to tender without transferring hidden design to the specialist. Technically Complete means "the system is proven, fully defined and ready for procurement and ultimately construction".

Drylining first

FIS has applied the framework first to partitions, linings and ceilings. It said these systems "deliver critical fire, acoustic and structural performance, yet are designed late in the programme and inherit every unresolved upstream decision". Only 2% of dryliners report that they always start on site with adequate information to build accurately, FIS said.

Two draft documents cover the package: the Flexible Internal Wall Systems Design Code of Practice and the FIS Dry Lining Checklists. Together they set out, at each Checkpoint, what the lead designer, the Principal Designer and the package designer are each expected to provide. FIS said similar Codes and Checklists would follow for other packages once the format is established.

Background

The consultation builds on earlier FIS work. In July 2022 the body announced research with the University of Reading, AMA Research and Barbour ABI into procurement practices in the fit-out, finishes and interiors sector. The resulting report, by Professor Stuart Green of the university's School of Construction Management and Engineering, was launched on 27 February 2023 and drew on an online survey that returned 269 responses, supplemented by 20 in-depth interviews. FIS said it raised serious questions about time allocation in procurement and tendering.

In March 2023 FIS published a Pre-construction Guide for Drylining and a Site Guide for Drylining after a member survey found 97% of member organisations had been asked to start construction without sufficient information to detail the installation accurately.

Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive, said at the time: "Drylining systems form firewalls, fire escape routes and provide passive internal fire protection".

The role of the Principal Designer is set in regulation. Government guidance on the Building Regulations dutyholder regime says a principal designer "must plan, manage, monitor and co-ordinate matters related to the design work" and take reasonable steps to make sure all designers comply with their building regulations duties. Regulation 11M of the Building Regulations 2010, headed Additional duties of a principal designer, requires coordination so that the built design complies with all relevant requirements.

FIS describes itself as the not-for-profit representative body for what it calls the £12bn finishes and interiors sector in the UK, with a workforce of 250,000 people. In its 2023 report launch it referred separately to a £10bn fit-out industry.

What happens next

FIS is inviting comment from main contractors, specialist contractors, designers, engineers and Principal Designers. It wants views on whether the issues reflect members' experience, whether the Checkpoints are workable on live programmes, and whether members would be willing to pilot the approach on a live or recent tender.

Responses, requests for the draft documents and expressions of interest in a pilot go to James Parlour at FIS. The consultation closes on 12 December 2026.