Building maintenance: Tools and tech for modern facilities managers

September 26, 2023

As the skyline fills with commercial skyscrapers, the evolving role of facilities managers becomes more crucial. Managing these modern marvels requires a deep understanding of building maintenance, and to do so efficiently, FMs must keep up with the latest in tools and technology. This article seeks to explore the importance of building maintenance, the nuances specific to commercial properties, and the innovative technology changing the game for FMs today.

What is Building Maintenance?

Building maintenance refers to the tasks, processes, and responsibilities involved in ensuring that a building remains in optimal working condition. The main objective is to ensure that a structure's systems and infrastructure remain safe, functional, and efficient, preserving the building's value and ensuring a comfortable environment for its occupants.

What Does Building Maintenance Typically Include?

Building maintenance is a broad field and can encompass various tasks depending on the type of property. Generally, it involves:

Routine Maintenance: Regularly scheduled tasks, like cleaning, minor repairs, and inspections.

Preventive Maintenance: Actions taken to prevent the breakdown or malfunction of equipment, including HVAC systems, elevators, and plumbing.

Corrective Maintenance: Reactive measures taken when something breaks down or malfunctions.

Cosmetic Maintenance: Tasks aimed at preserving or enhancing the aesthetics of the building, such as painting, landscaping, and facade repairs.

Nuances and Challenges of Commercial Building Maintenance

Commercial properties are vast and multifaceted, requiring a tailored approach. Managing these buildings is different from overseeing a residential complex, and here's why:

Scale & complexity: Commercial buildings aren't just bigger; they're intrinsically more complex. They might house advanced IT infrastructures, dedicated HVAC systems for different zones, and multi-layered security protocols. An FM in this domain must manage multiple stakeholders, from business tenants to external vendors.

Safety and health regulations: Beyond the basic structural safety codes, commercial properties have additional health and safety regulations. With hundreds or even thousands of employees or visitors, protocols for fire safety, air quality, and accessibility become paramount.

High-stakes downtime: Time is money in the business world. If a conference room's AV system fails or a critical server room overheats due to HVAC issues, the downtime can cost a company immensely. FMs in commercial sectors often operate under pressure to ensure minimal disruption.

Energy efficiency and sustainability: With rising awareness about climate change, commercial buildings are often under scrutiny for their carbon footprint. FMs have the task to implement green initiatives, from efficient energy usage to waste management.

Tenant satisfaction: Unlike residential spaces where the interaction might be limited to annual lease renewals or occasional complaints, commercial FMs interface regularly with business tenants. They must ensure that the facility supports the tenant's business needs, which might mean adapting to unique requirements.

Building Maintenance Technology and Its Advantages

The digital revolution has made its mark on building maintenance. Modern tools and technologies have given FMs unprecedented capabilities in managing commercial properties. Here’s why these technologies are essential:

Predictive analysis: Instead of waiting for a system to break down, technology can forecast potential issues, allowing FMs to take preventive measures.

Real-time monitoring: Sensors and smart systems can relay information in real-time, enabling FMs to address issues promptly.

Efficiency: Automated systems can manage tasks, reducing manual input and potential human error.

Cost savings: Early detection and efficient management can lead to substantial savings in repair and energy costs.

Compliance & reporting: Automated systems can produce detailed reports, ensuring that the building remains compliant with regulations.

Top Tech Tools for Commercial Building Maintenance in 2023

In the rapidly evolving world of commercial property management, technology consistently brings new tools and methods to the forefront. While this list of innovations is far from exhaustive, the tools we're spotlighting here stand out as the top game-changers for 2023. Specifically curated for Facility Managers, especially those without a deep engineering background, these technologies are reshaping the way buildings are maintained and optimized. Let’s dive into these revolutionary advancements:

IoT Sensors: Modern sensors are sophisticated marvels. They have the capability to monitor an extensive array of indicators, from detecting machinery wear through subtle vibrations to identifying potential system anomalies signalled by electrical discrepancies. When integrated with AI, these sensors can provide preemptive alerts, ensuring potential problems are flagged before they become substantial issues.

Advanced Building Management Systems (BMS): Today’s BMSs leverage the robustness of cloud technology, allowing FMs the convenience of overseeing building operations from virtually anywhere. These systems continuously gather real-time data, ensuring a dynamic approach to building management. However, as holistic as BMSs are, there are nuances they might overlook.

Building Analytics: Bridging the gaps that BMSs might miss is the domain of building analytics. Building analytics software delves deeper into the operational data of a building, picking up on subtle inconsistencies or faults that might elude a standard BMS. A notable example in this space is CIM's PEAK Platform. This advanced analytics solution doesn't just identify problems; it offers actionable recommendations for resolving them. For FMs without a strong engineering foundation, this is particularly beneficial. Instead of grappling with intricate data, they receive straightforward, actionable steps, empowering them to maintain and enhance building performance effectively.

Drones with AI Capabilities: Drones in 2023 come supercharged with AI-driven image analysis, enabling them to autonomously identify structural faults, leaks, or any other exterior damages. This significantly streamlines the inspection process and guarantees a higher level of accuracy.

Virtual and Augmented Reality for Maintenance: AR and VR tools have transcended their entertainment roots. In the realm of building maintenance, they are indispensable, providing real-time guidance to technicians during complex repair tasks. These tools also allow for remote expert consultations, obviating the need for numerous physical site visits and facilitating efficient troubleshooting.

In conclusion, commercial building maintenance is a monumental task, but with the integration of modern technology, it becomes more manageable, efficient, and proactive. FMs equipped with the latest tools are better positioned to add value, ensure safety, and enhance the longevity of the properties they oversee.