Facilities management includes a diverse set of disciplines and roles. Facilities management, at its core, ensures that the facilities are in harmony with the people who use them. From a workplace to an industrial space to an apartment complex, success is heavily reliant on creating an environment where people feel safe and comfortable.
What is the significance of facilities management?
Health and safety are the most important aspects of facility management. People must be protected first and foremost. Dangers can include unsafe ventilation or toxic air, an excessively hot or cold climate, outdated machinery that is prone to breaking or malfunctioning, inadequate fire detection and protection systems, inadequate signage indicating exits and safe escape routes, and insufficient infrastructure.
Aside from health and safety, there are also operational and financial implications if facilities are not properly managed. For example, aging hardware may be easier to replace or repair before it completely fails, halting or delaying operations and contributing to revenue or productivity loss.
A facility manager also assists people in office environments, which can have an impact on productivity and morale—some aspects, such as office layout, are subject to codes and regulations that can have a significant impact on safety. Business continuity plans and emergency planning are also essential for maintaining operations, gathering and analyzing information on a continuous basis, and avoiding downtime. It is also critical to monitor the office layout, including access to restrooms and drinking fountains, seating arrangements, potential infrastructure damage, and space utilization.
What are the responsibilities of facilities management?
A facility manager is in charge of people and organizations, as well as space and infrastructure. People and organizations include jobs such as marketing, accounting, hospitality, human resources, information technology, and cleaning. A facility manager is also in charge of workplace space and infrastructure accounts such as construction, leases, occupancy, maintenance, and furniture.
Facilities managers are needed for a variety of business functions, but at their core, they are responsible for keeping everyone under their control safe and alive. A facility manager should work at two different levels. First, tactically, which includes space understanding, business risk, costs, and services. The other is operational, which oversees a corporate environment’s cost effectiveness for its occupants.
What are some procedures for facility management?
Fire Safety: Fires can result in the loss of life, productivity, and assets. The facility manager should always have a solid plan in place, clearly communicate the plan, and ensure that the necessary tools are available to put out any fires or provide safe escape routes.
Security: Facility managers are in charge of safeguarding people and assets, which includes security hardware, cameras, and possible physical safeguards such as security guards.
Business continuity planning: In the event of a fire, theft, or total failure of business operations, facility managers must have a plan in place to help the business continue with the least amount of time and disruption to operations. A recovery site, backup power, backup software, or backup hardware may all be included.
Maintenance: Facility managers must ensure that proper maintenance is applied as soon as possible to ensure safety and smooth operation—this can include anything from lighting replacement to building upkeep, painting, decorating, necessary repairs, plumbing, and compliance with building regulations for safety purposes.
Organization is required for environmental health and safety. Employees may become ill, have health problems as a result of unsafe conditions, or be injured if something isn’t safe. Not only does this disrupt operations and jeopardize overall safety, but it also places the company at risk of liability and insurance issues.
Changes in office layout can occur as a result of equipment changes, turnover, or an increase in staff. Facility management should exercise caution when laying out an office; there are regulations to follow. For example, there must be a sufficient amount of space per staff member, the building must adhere to fire marshal code, there must be signage indicating exits and safety routes, the temperature must be well controlled, the room must be properly ventilated, the area must be well lit, and there must be readily available arrangements such as drinking water and clean bathrooms.
Cleaning: An unclean environment can be a liability, as well as a source of low employee morale. Cleaning is typically done after hours, and it is necessary to clean surface areas, carpets, bathrooms, and trash cans at regular intervals throughout the week.
CloudAppper Facility Management
CloudApper can teach you more about facility management software. From assisting with facility maintenance to promoting safety and security to your staff and operations, we provide excellent support. There are software workflow customization features that can streamline your facility management practices and promote growth and innovation.
Shaon Shahnewz
is a seasoned digital marketer, tech enthusiast, and blogger who enjoys reading and spending time with his kid.