8 January 2018 | Lee Haury
Lee Haury, associate director at Place Partnership, reveals how facilities' portrayal as liabilities not assets can be damaging.
So often we come across situations where facilities are not seen as core business, as liabilities and not assets. Such an approach can prove to be costly.
Early FM engagement at pre-construction phase can head off many health and safety and maintenance issues during the operational phase. Engineering in sound FM principles from the start affords the opportunity to tackle potential issues up-front, avoiding costly capital and revenue hits. It's about attention to detail based on an informed practical, operational perspective.
Whether your building is plugged into the Internet of Things, identifying maintenance issues before they arise or simply adjusting room temperature or turning lights off to conserve energy, technological developments are redefining what buildings can do. There is still some apprehension about expected results versus actual performance. Partnering with experts who can programme and interpret data and ensure systems are well maintained, updated and calibrated to the correct tolerance is key. Smart systems are powerful because they operate within narrow tolerance limits, making updates, calibration and maintenance critical to optimal functionality.
All buildings have an anticipated life expectancy after which a decision has to be made to refurbish through reinvestment or dispose / demolish / redevelop. Statutory compliance for occupiers and owners is still relevant if and when they become surplus to requirements. Property guardianship is one risk mitigation approach that can be used via dedicated FM teams to help keep the building in a marketable condition, ensuring no deterioration in building services. Likewise, if a building is to be demolished safely, proper compliance is key. A clear plan addressing statutory requirements is critical. Professional support can yield benefits in driving early capital receipts while minimising risk.
Lee Haury is associate director of FM at Place Partnership