FIRA Specifiers’ Guide

Alan Bennett

Specifier Training Manager

Leading furniture expertise

Specifiers’ Services Open Day-

26th September 2012

Inga Wells

Head of Marketing

Agenda for the Day

11.15am – 12.00pm The Specifiers’ Guide presentation

12.00pm – 12.30pm Sustainable Purchasing and Manufacturing 12.30pm – 12.50pm Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme

12.50 pm – 1.20pm FIRA Gold

1.20pm – 2pm Lunch

2pm – 2.30pm Importance of Ergonomics in Specifying Furniture

2.30pm – 3pm Tours of our world renowned testing facilities

Leading furniture expertise

Testing and Certification

Consultancy

Research

Training

Lobbying

Setting and Maintaining Standards

What we do:

Specifier ProblemsSquare peg – Round hole

Supplier ProblemsA level playing field

EXAMPLE: Product Specified

415g metal tin Heinz Beans

415g metal tin Heinz Beanz

(with pork sausages)

EXAMPLE: Product Supplied

Heinz supply 15 types of 415g beans for the UK market, here are my favorites

Current Problems

Tenders that specify misleading or inappropriate standards

and requirements cause problems.

Both for tendering authorities and suppliers, resulting in:

• Loss of time • Higher costs

• Wasted effort

• Inferior quality• Non-conformance• Liability/Legal Challenge

Solution

Specifiers need:

• Access to clear and concise advice for tender creation

• Access to accurate information on current requirements

• Access to the correct and current furniture standards

• A Guide for non-domestic and contract furniture

BenefitsFor Specifiers:• Understand the issues and requirements

• Save time and money in preparing tenders

• Save time and money in reviewing submissions

• Better products that are value for money and fit for purpose

For Manufacturers and Suppliers:• Better understanding of the specifiers’ needs

• Save time and money in responding to tenders

• Better chance of success for more responsible manufacturers

Target Audience

• Purchasers for Public Sector Organisations (Central and Local Government, Education and Health).

• Interior designers and architects.

• Specifiers for hospitality, hotels, offices.

• Procurement Professionals in the Private Sector.

• Construction and Fit-Out Companies and Main Contractors.

• Facilities Managers.

• Manufacturers and Suppliers.

Specifier Services Web Site

http://www.specifierservices.co.uk

The site has 2 main elements:

•A guide to Specifying and Tendering for Contract Furniture

•A tool to Create A Technical Specification

A Guide to Specifying and Tendering for Contract Furniture

• Legal Probity and Financial Performance

• Insurance

• Technical Capability, Capacity and Experience• Business Continuity and Risk Management• Quality Management Performance

• Health and Safety Performance

• Environmental Performance

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)• Supply Chain Management

What to look for in a Supplier?

• Fire Safety Requirements

• Safety and Performance Requirements

• Ergonomics• Product Certification and Award Schemes• Sustainable Manufacturing• Materials Specification

• Environmental – Timber Sourcing, Recycled Content, Re-use.

What to look for in a Product?

A Guide to Specifying and Tendering for Contract Furniture

• Public Sector Tendering

• Statement Of Requirements and Scope• Advertising• Restricted Procedures – P.Q.Q. & I.T.T.• Open Procedures (web based)

• Award Criteria and Scoring

• Reviewing Supporting Documentation• Final Selection• De-briefs

Preparing & Reviewing Tender Submissions

A Guide to Specifying and Tendering for Contract Furniture

Create a Technical Specification

Date Created: 18/07/2012Company: FIRAAddress: Here and nowContact name: Alan BennettContact no: 07561 331245Email: abennett@fira.co.ukProject: Bariatric chair testProduct: Chair for ELAdditional information: tender for new project, new building etc

Requirements:All products shall meet the requirements of the following standards:

Structural PerformanceFS0 56:2011 Furniture - Bariatric Seating - Requirements for strength, stability and durability 50 stone

Flammability PerformanceBS 7176:2007 Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic seating by testing compositesMedium Hazard

Textile PerformanceBS 2543:2004 Upholstery fabrics for end use applications. Classification Severe Contract

Foam PerformanceBS 3379:2005 Combustion modified flexible polyurethane cellular materials for load bearing applications. X rated

Next Steps• Promotional Campaigns

– Regional and in-house workshops

– Individual training sessions

– C.P.D. programmes

• Next addition: Specification Advice for Educational Furniture – Storage Furniture (Heavy and Severe use)– Secure Storage (Heavy and Severe use)– Seating (size marks 1-7)– Tables (size marks 1-7)

• Future addition: Specification Advice for Hospital Furniture

• The site is evolving and developing (we welcome feedback)

LIVE DEMO

http://www.specifierservices.co.uk/

Any questions?

Sustainable Manufacturing and

PurchasingDr. Asli Tamer Vestlund

Research and Consultancy Manager

Why Sustainability?

- Economic

- Environmental

- Social

- Regulatory

Numerous challenges to be overcome

Complex science

GPP and Government Buying Standards

- Sustainable timber- Limit and control of chemicals and hazardous substances- Use of recycled and/or renewable materials- Recyclability and separability of packaging materials and furniture parts- Durable, fit for use, ergonomic, easy to disassemble, repairable and recyclable furniture

When supplying furniture to central government and related organisations, there is an obligation to meet the Government Buying Standard for furniture.

Core criteria include:

Ethical Timber Sourcing

Chain of Custody (CoC) - Unbroken path which timber and paper products take from forest to consumer, including all stages of the supply chain

EU Timber Regulations - March 2013. Organisation’s first placing timber or timber products on to the European market are obliged to ensure that such products originate from legal sources by conducting ‘due diligence’

REACH

EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals

Substances of Very High Concern

Includes:Azocolourants – Restricts the use of azo dyes that can produce carcinogenic amines in textiles and leather in contact with skin

Brominated flame retardants – Bans the use of Penta- and octa-BDE flame retardants

Waste Management and End of Life

Waste Management Hierarchy

Since April 2011, public sector organisations are encouraged to meet at least 5% of their office furniture needs through reuse/refurbish/reupholster of current stock

Environmental ImpactsCarbon Footprint

The total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or organization, event or product, throughout the lifecycle or within set boundary conditions

LCA

Assessment of the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product’s life from cradle to grave (raw material, manufacture, transport & distribution, installation & use, disposal)

EPD

Quantifiable information or data on the environmental aspects of goods or services

Furniture FootprinterIndustry specific

Based on verified material and process carbon dioxide values

Best Foot Forward and aligned with PAS2050 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHP)

BREEAM/LEEDBuilding Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method

Responsibly sourced materials, low embodied energy and recycled materials

Wellbeing

Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design

Products are assessed for volatile organic compounds

Ecolabels

SKA Ratings- Rating the environmental performance of fit-out projects against sustainability criteria (energy, waste, materials, CO2 emissions, pollution, water, wellbeing and transportation)

- Not directly related to furniture but increasingly asked for in fit-out projects

- Government Buying Standards for furniture

Summary

- Economic- Environmental- Social- Regulatory

Good News: We CAN help!

Complexity and Challenges

Questions

Furniture Industry Sustainability

Programme (FISP)Dr. Asli Tamer Vestlund

Research and Consultancy Manager

Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme

Benefits to Members

FISP Member Benefits

• Improved efficiency and reduced costs

• 3rd party approval and verification

• Access to new markets

• Marketing opportunities

• Additional stakeholder value

• Competitive advantage

• Sector specific guidance and support

Why should a specifier ask for FISP?

FISP is renowned as the sustainability benchmark for the furniture industry.

Certification provides:

• Independent verification of a bidder’s commitment to managing and improving their sustainability performance.

• Assurance of a bidder’s compliance with appropriate health, safety and environmental legislation.

• Evidence of a bidder’s commitment to continuous improvement of their sustainability performance.

Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme

FISP Audit Structure

Section 1: Core Commitments

- Environmental policy.

- Legal compliance.

Section 2: Environmental Commitments

- Choice of 5 from 9 criteria.

- Environmental criteria including waste management, energy management, procurement, packaging management, transport and sustainable timber.

Section 3: CSR Commitments- Choice of 3 from 6 criteria.- Economic and social criteria including community relations, education and

ethical issues.

FIRA - Sustainability Services

• FISP (Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme)

• Club Green

• Chain of Custody

• ISO 14001

• Carbon Footprinting- Furniture footprinter™

Questions

Leading furniture expertise

FIRA Gold Certification

Terry Woods

Senior Manager – Head of Sales

FIRA Gold Certification

A third-party product and service certification scheme operated by FIRA International Ltd (FIRA)

Benefits to Specifiers

• An important tool to aid evaluation

• Determining eligibility requirements by demanding FIRA Gold Certification as part of a tender document

• A single certificate which saves time with due diligence, ensuring that the product or range continues to meet all the relevant standards

Benefits to Manufacturers

Having independent certification which is industry recognised as a mark of product excellence will help increase your sales by:

• Standing out from your competitors

• Providing customer satisfaction

• Growing your reputation and brand

• New and exciting advertising PR and training opportunities

• Being specified for many more projects and tenders

The mark of excellence for furniture

What is Gold Certification?

• Established for over 25 years

• Backed by FIRA’s 60 years of experience

• Highly valued

What is involved?

• Initial type testing of samples to all applicable standards, which may include:

- Structural performance- Safety- Stability

What is involved?

• Ergonomic Assessment

What is involved?

• Finish performance

• Effects of atmosphere (moisture, humidity and temperature)

What is involved?

• Flammability

• Workmanship

What is involved?

• An initial inspection of the manufacturing premises

•Review of Customer complaint process

•A selected retesting programme

• Factory Audit

The mark of excellence for furniture

What is Gold Certification?

• The FIRA Gold Certification scheme is the only endorsement that encompasses:

– Legislation

– Good working practices

– Company polices

What is involved - Stage One

• Stage one is the pre-audit process to ensure that processes are in place to achieve the FIRA Gold Installation Certification

Installation Manual – Current legislation

– Working practices

– Company policy

– All necessary guidelines

– Fitting Manual

What is involved - Stage One

• Internal Auditing Processes

• Fitter Induction and Training

• Customer Complaint File

• Pre-audit visit

• External audit documentation

What is involved - Stage Two

• Ensures continued compliance with Stage One

• Continued compliance achieved through:– Full membership

– Ongoing auditing of regional installation managers or service providers

Marketing

Marketing Support

• Dual branded brochures

• Point of sale information

• Sales training

• FIRA supported news releases in trade and specifier magazines

• FIRA’s marketing team will help you maximise PR and marketing opportunities

You will receive an introductory pack that will include ideas and tips as to how to maximise your sales opportunities

Testimonials

“…as a specifier for Frameworks Arrangements I find the FIRA Gold accreditation scheme a useful tool in demonstrating that the range of kitchen units and worktops provided by the manufacturer meets the required British Standards specified by the LHC for public sector housing programmes...”

Aftkhar Shah, Technical Manager - LHC

“...There is no doubt in our minds that Gold Certification gave us a competitive edge...”

John Foley, Managing Director – RSBI, City Building Glasgow

Testimonials

“...We pride ourselves on our reputation for supplying high quality, competitively priced products with an unrivalled service within our industry. Our FIRA Gold Product Certification provides verification of this to our clients...”

Mark Human, Managing Director - Anco Storage

“…FIRA Gold is universally recognised and accepted, as a benchmark for the quality and performance of our products across all our market sectors from specifiers and architects to end consumers…”

Simon Collyns, Marketing & Export Director - Symphony Group Plc

Testimonials

“...At Manhattan we view the FIRA Gold Certifications as the most important accreditation that we hold... “

Iain Flitcroft, Chairman - Manhattan Furniture

“…Achieving FIRA Gold certification for Agitus means we have not only reached minimum standards but exceeded them through independent testing and evaluation by those who have leading industry knowledge…”

Paul Clarke, Commercial Director - Senator

Testimonials

“...Working with established independent quality organisations, like FIRA, will further strengthen our abilities to make sure our customers can buy full room solutions from B&Q with complete peace of mind.”

Billy Quinn, Director of Installations - B&Q

“The continuous on-going auditing and feedback will promote continuous service improvements, increasing customer satisfaction and internal efficiencies”

Johanne Murphy - IKEA

Summary of Benefits

• An important tool to aid evaluation

• Determining eligibility requirements by demanding FIRA Gold Certification as part of a tender document

• A single certificate which saves time with due diligence, ensuring that the product or range continues to meet all the relevant standards

Summary of Benefits

Having independent certification which is industry recognised as a mark of product excellence will help increase your sales by:

• Standing out from your competitors

• Providing customer satisfaction

• Growing your reputation and brand

• New and exciting advertising PR and training opportunities

• Being specified for many more projects and tenders

Any questions?

Leading furniture expertise

An Ergonomic Approach to Furniture Specification

and Final Selection

ERGONOMICS

Levent ÇaglarAdrian Hodder

Introducing Ergonomics

What is Ergonomics?

Ergon WORK

Nomos

LAWS

ERGONOMICS would mean

Natural laws of work

⇒

⇒

Ergonomics is…

…a multi-disciplinary approachto achieve a good fit between:

People

Equipment they use

Work they do

Environment in which they operate

An example

An example

Size matters?

Results of Unsuitable Conditions

When humans are made to adapt to unsuitable conditions, it can often lead to:

Inefficiency

Errors

Unacceptable Stress

Physical/Mental Cost

Benefits of well specified ergonomic furniture:

Benefits can include:

Better working postureLess instances of work related injury

Better health, safety and wellbeingIncreased employee morale

Better productivity

Reduced absenteeism

Factors to consider for furniture ergonomics:

Ergonomics and the Specifying Process

Furniture Selection Process

Important considerations

Task Analysis

Examining the type of work that will be undertaken with the furniture being specified.

Systematic breakdown of job elements• Identify the operational sequence of work

• Ways in which employees use information and equipment

Methods can vary depending on department and person• It cannot be assumed that all employees work in the same

way.

Task Analysis: Example Questions

Example

Identification and Characteristics of Intended Users

Example

Information Gathering

Organisational requirements

Example

Types of storage

Example

Environmental Concerns/Policies

Launched in order to identify and differentiate those products which excel in ergonomics from

those which only meet the minimum requirements of ergonomic standards.

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Ergonomically Excellent Products:

Improve well being, and health & safety of staff

Improve efficiency & productivity of workforce

Increase morale of workforce

Reduce staff turnover & absenteeism

Reduce the number of litigation cases

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Winners of FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Sayl ChairHerman Miller

ID Concept ChairsVitra

Orvia ChairsBurgess

M8 Monitor ArmHumanscale

LITE iPad SupportErgonomic Cafe

Axess Ergo Dealer DeskSBFI

How FIRA Ergonomics can help

Ergonomics Excellence Award

We can help with any part of the process:

• Guidance in writing tender documents

• Evaluation of bid documents

• Selecting shortlists of products

• Conducting user trials with shortlisted products

Any questions?