5 Things you need to know about Facilities Management
Every business needs to run as smoothly as possible – not only in terms of providing the best service to their clients but to ensure that the business is profitable. Therefore, the role of a facilities manager is vital within any organization. The primary responsibility of a facilities manager is to maintain what is perceived to be an organization’s most valuable assets, which includes equipment, property, inventory, buildings and other crucial elements of an operation.
Now, the role of a facilities manager can be extremely varied, with no two days being quite the same. This implies that they need to be able to multitask while also being on top of a vast array of responsibilities and tasks.
In this blog, we have outlined five things that you need to know before starting a career in Facilities Management:
- Maintenance is Key
For any successful business to operate, it is essential not to overlook any vital aspect of the company. A well-maintained equipment and a well-run premise are not less important than healthy profit margins and excellent customer service. It is the prime responsibility of a facilities manager to ensure that these aspects are managed adequately. These assets should be tested, inspected and maintained in regular intervals to ensure that there are minimal breakdowns. To efficiently accomplish this, facilities managers need to create planned maintenance schedules so that all aspects are reviewed and the problems faced are minimal.
- Security All The Way
What is the point of maintenance if the security of the complex is compromised? It is the responsibility of the facilities manager to ensure that all the necessary structures are in place to make sure the facility is protected. These structures include a variety of things from installing CCTV equipment to organising manned guards. Apart from this, they have a duty to take proper care of the staff and customers within the facility, which includes attaining the appropriate certifications and conducting employee training.
- Energy Management is Essential
Energy expenses represent close to 30% of a facility’s operating costs. Therefore, it has become a priority for many facility owners to implement plans that conserve energy. Many facility management companies even offer management service that can minimise energy consumption through facility re-engineering that can be aligned with the environmental specifications. The world needs facilities managers that are environmentally conscious and are determined to undertake the right methods to adopt a sustainable facility environment.
- Awareness of the laws and regulations
It is pretty evident that buildings or organizations have certain compliances that they adhere to, and it is the responsibility of a facilities manager to ensure that they are up to date and all the legal requirements are met. Typically, facilities managers report directly to the CEO of a company or the landlord, but they also have to take some direction from other corners – most notably from the government regulators. It is essential because some laws and regulations at the local or state level affect how buildings should be maintained and the processes that take place within the facilities.
Some examples:
- Local codes may regulate what signs or advertisements may be used on the building’s exterior.
- Permits may be required for special events.
- Up-to-date with facility trends and technology
Much like the other jobs in the digital age, the jobs in facilities management have also changed over the years in light of new technology. With the emergence of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things, machines and equipments are now able to communicate wirelessly with each other as well as their operators. Smart technologies can allow the facilities managers to manage things like the HVAC systems, water use, building’s lights, security cameras, and even the door’s locks.
When one is in charge of an entire building – including its equipments, infrastructure, grounds and equipment, they have a wide variety of tasks to handle each day. There is so much that a facilities manager needs to be aware of, beyond technical knowledge. Therefore, doing a course in Facilities Management would prove to be vastly helpful to become an effective FM.
There are institutions like RICS School of Built Environment that recognise the need to equip the future FM professionals of tomorrow with education that is both technical and managerial in nature. It is designed to educate graduates in any discipline about being a professional facilities manager that is capable of managing all services in their entirety in a global environment complying international standards.