FIS is working with its contractor members to understand how shortcomings in the design process and the allocation of design responsibility expose specialist drylining contractors to unreasonable risk. Its work focuses on clearer responsibilities, competence requirements and better controls throughout the design process.
The measures aim to help contractors manage plasterboard design risk before work reaches the construction stage.
Why Does Drylining Design Create Risk?
When responsibility for a drylining package passes to a specialist subcontractor without a clearly defined scope or competence requirements, the contractor may inherit risks that cannot be adequately assessed, priced or managed.
Working with its Drylining Working Group, FIS is developing measures to give contractors greater control over these responsibilities.
Clearer Responsibilities and Design Controls
According to FIS’s update, Addressing a broken design process, codes of practice for drylining design and the wider fit-out process are at an advanced draft stage.
The proposed guidance includes a design responsibility matrix, appointment deadlines and risk management gateways during RIBA Stages 3 and 4. It also addresses complex interfaces between different design packages. These measures support the wider need for effective management of safety and compliance in building projects.
How Could These Measures Help UK Construction?
FIS is extending its quality control checklists to cover design and tender stages. It also published a competence framework for drylining design engineers in summer 2026, helping contractors assess the expertise of in-house designers and external consultants.
Together, these measures could improve coordination, clarify accountability and help identify design risks earlier. Their effectiveness will depend on how consistently project teams apply them.
Fencyx, a wholesale plasterboard supplier, supports the initiative. Reducing avoidable risk in plasterboard design can help project teams work towards safer and more efficient construction.
