The last few years have seen notable changes in legislation and regulations within the FM space such as the Fire Safety Act 2021, The Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Regulations (England) 2022, to name a few. These changes in the industry have forced a shift in priorities and duties within the built environment. Which areas do you think will be particularly impactful for those working in FM?

With the constant evolution of legislations and regulations within the FM industry, uncertainty of what tasks should be completed, how often and by whom is on the rise. We will, therefore, continue to see a greater spotlight placed on proof of compliance with building compliance in the spotlight.

The Government has also ensured it will increase the number of buildings that fall within the scope of the Building Safety Act. This will make providing a thorough, digital trail of maintenance tasks a requirement for many more. Building owners, property managers and contractors will need to ensure that statutory maintenance works are being carried out, that the information is up-to-date and that evidence can be provided.

Competence will be crucial. This means ensuring that maintenance tasks are being undertaken not only at the right time but also by the right person for the job is a high priority for facility managers this year. This becomes a particular concern when a facility outsources a large proportion of its maintenance. Despite its cost-effective potential and collaboration with industry specialists, outsourcing maintenance tasks makes it more difficult for facility owners to have both visibility and control over the standard to which tasks are completed.

Enhanced connectivity is another priority. FMs and property managers are under the strain of managing extensive workforces to ensure the safe and legal maintenance of a facility. The presence of various stakeholders tends to make streamlined collaboration
much trickier. In particular, ensuring the right people receive the necessary information at the right time becomes a challenge.

In a recent poll conducted by the experts at SFG20, 66 per cent of asset owners and property managers revealed that keeping a golden thread of information about a facility up to date has been a main concern for their business. This shows that many current FM systems are not aligning in a way that helps facilitate efficient, collaborative working.

Developing and providing software solutions that enable teams to share data and work efficiently will continue to characterise industry changes in the near future.

The growing importance of AI will continue, because it offers the potential to enhance rather than replace human roles in FM, unlocking new opportunities. The technologies available facilitate businesses to work with larger datasets for predictive maintenance, providing a time-efficient and proactive approach to facility management.

Businesses are still under pressure to develop the necessary skills to successfully work alongside AI technology for predictive maintenance, data analysis and a cost-effective allocation of budgets. With the current focus on compliance, facility managers will be challenged with reducing costs, an obstacle that an effective use of AI could help eliminate.

Finally, sustainability will remain at the forefront for many in FM. The landscape of the UK’s built environment is on the brink of a profound transformation. The march toward carbon neutrality is poised to accelerate, propelled by technological strides, evolving governmental policies and heightened public climate awareness.

To mitigate the continuing rise in carbon emissions, we must carefully consider and implement ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings through sustainable maintenance and ensuring that new buildings incorporate this into their initial design. 

INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION’S VIEW
PAUL BULLARD,
PRODUCT DIRECTOR AT SFG20

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