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Composite slabs have become a common feature in commercial, industrial and multi-storey construction projects across Australia. Yet despite their widespread use, there is still confusion around how composite slab systems work, where they provide value, and what engineers and builders should consider when specifying them.

The Construction Industry is one of the most dangerous jobs because of the work it involves.
Every construction site has a Safety Manager, and every Safety Manager has a very important role in the Site Team of that project.

The success of a construction project depends on balancing quality, performance, and cost. Builders and formworkers consistently face the challenge of delivering high-quality projects within budget.

Delivering more for less doesn’t mean opting for the cheapest price. It’s about adding value in ways that matter most – offering durable, high-performance materials, reducing waste, enhancing efficiency, and providing price certainty.

Over the last few years, the Australian Construction Industry has faced its fair share of challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through supply chains, hitting the steel sector hard. This was made worse by a global construction boom, which led to material shortages and rising costs. Additionally, tariffs led to higher steel prices, which impacted steel-related products like stairs, handrails, and metal decking.

But now, the tide is turning.

Driven by the ever-present need for optimising efficiency, safety, sustainability, and innovation in the construction industry, over the years the different construction methods we use are continuing to evolve.

The most common construction methods are prefabricated (or preformed) formwork and traditional (or conventional) formwork, each with its advantages and challenges.

In the world of architecture and design, time is a precious commodity. Architects and designers are constantly seeking ways to streamline their workflows and optimise efficiency without compromising quality. Fortunately, advancements in technology have revolutionised the design process, offering innovative solutions to enhance productivity.

Finding a supplier you can rely on can be one of the hardest and most stressful decisions. It’s important to find a supplier that works well with your company and who will give you the best product and service offering. The construction industry in Australia may be booming but beneath the surface, there is much uncertainty in relation to insolvencies and wind-up notices.

This final part of our compliance blog series. We’re uncovering another four prevalent issues surrounding fire cores, stairs, and handrails to wrap up our articles on common compliance concerns we find in fire stairs.

Metal decking formwork is widely used in modern construction for its versatility from civil applications and sacrificial formwork to concrete slabs with full composite action.

Whilst it’s crucial for a product to be certified and compliant with relevant building codes, it’s equally important to have a comprehensive understanding of composite action to realise the full potential of metal decking formwork.

In our previous blog, we delved into the top four compliance issues our Design Team encounters while assessing fire cores. In this installment, we’re going deeper into common compliance concerns, highlighting four additional issues that pertain to fire cores, stairs, and handrails.

Metal decking formwork offers unmatched versatility in modern construction. From supporting deep beam style slabs to simplifying box culverts and composite slabs, its flexibility shines through a diverse range of projects.

Whether you’re building high-rise structures or managing stormwater runoff, metal decking formwork is the versatile solution for ensuring structural integrity and efficiency in your projects.

The FTI Design Team frequently receives requests for compliance guidance regarding fire stair cores and handrails.

Here are the top four compliance issues they have identified when assessing fire cores, stairs, and handrails.