KEEP ON MOVING AT


THE ACADEMY As a centre of technical excellence, The Academy for Excellence in Flooring provides the knowledge and skills to overcome the challenges that can adversely affect the quality of LVT installations. With LVT susceptible to subfloor condition and the ambient environment, correct preparation and selection is a significant factor in the long- term viability of the installation.


While the catastrophic consequences of not allowing sufficient expansion gaps at perimeters with wood flooring are well known, there is less knowledge surrounding LVT floors and the issue of movement. However, during training courses at the Academy, installers learn that not paying sufficient attention to the environment can cause failure of the installation.


Lee Thompson, Procurement and Technical Manager, explains: “LVT is a great option for homes wanting the look of natural materials without the fuss, but this doesn’t mean that a professional installation is simple. While stable across a wide variety of conditions and less susceptible to moisture, LVT can still move with changes in ambient conditions and so this must be accommodated for.


“The first step to get right is correct subfloor preparation. Unlike laminate or wood, LVT becomes more pliable


CICV FORUM TEAMS UP WITH CONSTRUCTION SCOTLAND


INNOVATION In its latest initiative to help Scotland’s building sector get safely back to work, the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has used cutting-edge technology to create a digital learning toolkit to promote best practice.


Working closely with Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), which links business, university experts and public sector providers, the Forum has launched the Be Covid Smart training and learning programme.


Using a series of digital scenarios, this immersive online training programme aims to raise awareness of COVID-19


12 | WHAT'S NEW?


as temperature rises, so it will ‘settle’ into imperfections resulting in the phenomenon known as telegraphing. This equally afflicts glue-down and click LVT floors. Showing these imperfections through the finished surface is a cause of customer complaints and the only resolution is to lift the floor and remedy the subfloor – costly and entirely avoidable with correct preparation.


“Secondly, when click systems are used, LVT becomes a ‘floating’ floor and so accommodating for movement is an absolute must. Not giving sufficient room for movement means any force will be directed upwards causing the planks to bend vertically and joints to weaken


safety by educating those working on site, in homes or in places of learning, encouraging the use of safe working and learning, and empowering the construction workforce to call out unsafe behaviour.


Recognising that the safe return of workers to site is a challenge within Scotland, Be Covid Smart provides a fun, easy-to-use, quiz-based toolkit that can be accessed via mobile, tablet, or laptop, and which will be hosted on the CSIC website.


https://www.cs-ic.org/innovationcentre/future-skills/be-covid-smart/


Iain McCaskey, Head of Devolved Nations at the Building Engineering Services Association and Head of the CICV Forum Skills Group, who is leading the programme, said: “The Forum had identified the need not only for a safe return to work but also for reassurance for apprentices their families and employers.


ending in failure of the floor. Even with a correct expansion gap at the perimeter of the room, fixing items such as kitchen units, centre islands or doorstops directly on top prevents the floor from moving in unison, again leading to upwards pressure and failure.”


Fortunately, there are specific preparation techniques and techniques that can be used to eliminate these failures to protect the long-term integrity of your LVT installation, as well as avoiding costly remedial work. Of course, for anyone attending an LVT course at the Academy, these are revealed so you can maintain high standards in all rooms.


www.quick-step-academy.co.uk


“This innovative learning solution will not only raise awareness of safety in the current climate but also identify and test the user’s knowledge of the necessary steps to take to protect themselves and others.


“Be Covid Smart will be available to everyone within Scottish construction to use freely. However, initial targets will primarily be small site operators and companies employing apprentices, as we feel this is where support is needed.”


The toolkit will start by supporting domestic work and apprentices and their colleges, and will explore the health and safety aspects of working within a college workshop, manoeuvring around the building and how to get to and from work or college.


www.cicvforum.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46