Businesses across the world rely on buildings they are based in to run efficiently, safely, and support the employees within them.
Ensuring that the people on site are supported to create a functioning and comfortable environment, facilities management helps establish a built environment that can support collaboration, growth and success.
What is facilities management?
Facilities management – shortened to FM – is a multidisciplinary field that supports people in creating a built environment where safety, sustainability, functionality, comfort, and efficiency are all integral in making a place where businesses can thrive.
Every facet of what makes a business and the surrounding area is considered when a facilities management company creates a strategy to make the built environment success.
The people, processes, technology, buildings and other on-site facilities are analysed using behavioural and engineering sciences to improve wellbeing and operational efficiency.
By ensuring that buildings and infrastructure are well-maintained and safe, the FM company overseeing the site will make is easier for the businesses within the built environment focus on their own growth and employees.
This includes the facilities management firm carrying out regular inspections, repairs, and updates to electrical, plumbing, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and other systems.
A part of this is managing vendors and service providers for the units – including maintenance, repairs and negotiating contracts to ensure the highest level of quality.
By analysing the physical space in the area, a facilities management company can set the standards for building infrastructure and how it works within the built environment.
They can also look at the space that they have to work with to ensure that the layouts, furniture, technology, and workspaces are optimised for staffing needs, while also accommodating the needs for health and safety compliance and security.
When it comes to technology, an FM firm will use it to enhance the current process as well as adapting to the latest innovations and how they can improve the site. This can include the use of the latest management software, building automation systems, and using IoT (Internet of Things) devices for monitoring, safety, and security.
They will also work with the occupants to utilise the latest developments to increase comfort and productivity of the employees. This can involve managing indoor air quality, lighting, noise levels, and ergonomic considerations. As time goes on, they will also oversee renovations or refurbishments.
A facilities management company will also manage the financial aspects of facility operations, including budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting.
Facilities management can be split into two areas – soft FM and hard FM.
What is soft facilities management?
Soft facilities management refers to the parts of the site that are managed by people, including security, catering, reception services, logistics, landscaping, waste management, and cleaning.
This is where the FM company manages the non-technical services that support the core business activities and enhance the workplace environment.
This can also include the health and safety services provided to the entire site and individual businesses that are within it.
It is more focused around the people-oriented side of the industry.
By having an elite facilities management company involved, it can increase employee satisfaction and productivity – as well as provide a positive work environment.
What is hard facilities management?
Hard facilities management refers to the labour that goes into maintaining the site – including work on the physical structures, plumbing, air conditioning (HVAC), fire safety systems, and electricity.
This will also include the management of lifts and escalators and any building automation systems in place.
Part of the electrical work will include energy management to monitor how much is used and how to make it more environmentally friendly and efficient.
Hard FM requires a lot of technical expertise in order to manage and maintain a successful facility.
Facilities management in construction
Facilities management within the UK construction industry plays a vital role in its success and development over time.
It involves the integration of facilities management principles and practices throughout the construction process, that results in the built environment being functional, efficient, and sustainable.
The FM company will lead the design and construction phases of the project to ensure the site reaches the necessary standards. They will also produce a cost analysis and work out the best course of action for technology integration.
During the design phase, they will focus on space utilisation, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability – as well as implementing the needs for those using the space.
When construction begins, they will manage safety and quality control of the workmanship that is carried out. This will also involve the legal part of building compliance.
They will then test and sign off the hard FM work that has been carried out.
Facilities management in Bristol
Almeda’s service model is flexible to meet all our customer’s unique requirements for facilities management.
This ranges from full facilities management to specific hard or soft services, we tailor the service provided to match what each customer needs.
If you would like to speak to Almeda about facilities management, reactive maintenance or our building fabric services, call 0117 937 6320 or email [email protected].