In this free eBook, ‘Four Ways ConTech Can Help Manage and Maintain Your Buildings‘, Bluebeam explores how construction software can help with compliance, asset management and improve efficiency.
Four Ways ConTech Can Help Manage and Maintain Your Buildings
While the drive to improve efficiency in the built environment often focuses on the design and construction stages of a building’s life, what comes after handover is just as important.
There is more to it than just the normal process of maintaining and upgrading our building stock.
Retrofitting will be key to achieving net zero in the UK
Reducing the operational carbon of buildings is a key element of the UK’s net zero targets and the corresponding challenge to retrofit our existing buildings is pressing.
In the UK, we need to retrofit more than 16 million homes to meet net-zero obligations. Meanwhile, more than 70% of non-domestic buildings were built before 2000; the majority will have to undergo some form of retrofit before 2050 to make net-zero a reality.
There is also a compliance element. Since the introduction of the Building Safety Act, there are additional responsibilities when it comes to understanding and maintaining data about properties.
How technology can help
There is a range of construction software available that can help asset owners to manage and maintain their buildings.
Whether looking into retrofit options, upgrading assets or carrying out normal maintenance, technology can make the process more efficient and improve value.
Take facilities management for example. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that a building is safe and secure, is comfortable to live or work in, and remains fit for purpose.
Moreover, a well-maintained building will retain its value and appeal, whereas one that is left to deteriorate can quickly become a costly problem.
For facilities managers, real-time data on the status of servicing and repairs, and the expected lifecycle of plant, systems, fixtures and fittings, can make for a much more efficient asset management process.
This can be done through live, searchable Operations and Maintenance manuals, making information much more accessible to everyone in the project team.
Ensuring compliance for safer and more sustainable buildings
There are strict regulations in the UK to ensure that our buildings are safe.
For example, the Fire Safety Order (2005) states that regular fire risk assessments must be carried out on buildings, and that written records must be kept where five people or more are living or working there.
A tool like Bluebeam Revu makes this really simple; floorplans can be easily marked up with fire safety comments, and critical elements such as exit signage, access and egress points, extinguisher placements and detection requirements can be highlighted.
The Measure tool allows users to check that key distances are compliant, for example the space between an apartment entrance and a fire escape, and information can easily be shared between owners, occupiers and emergency services.
A similar principle applies to other activities which require an assessment of building plans, whether desk-based or by visiting site. For the latter, the ability to annotate and update the original plans with photos and commentary collected in the field allows asset owners to easily compare the design with the existing building records and the on-site reality.
This can help asset owners to address new legislation, such as the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) which came into force on 1 April 2023. This makes it unlawful to lease properties with an EPC rating of F or G and will create a new pipeline of work for those with old, inefficient building stock.
For asset owners who want to take a more holistic view, these same tools can be used by a retrofit coordinator to review building plans, mark-up potential areas of improvement and track works.
James Chambers, director of global industry development for the build and construct division at Nemetschek Group, said: “While adopting new technologies can be daunting for many businesses, there are some really simple, low cost and effective tools available that can make it much easier for asset owners to understand their buildings and keep an eye on maintenance and improvement works.
“It’s more essential than ever that owners really understand the status of their buildings and are making sure that they have compliant, efficient and quality assets.”
Find out how construction software can help you manage and maintain your buildings
In this eBook, Bluebeam explains how construction software can help businesses of any size to:
- Address key issues such as safety, energy efficiency and quality assurance.
- Maintain the value of assets over their lifetime.
- Build a digital audit trail of planned and completed activities.
- Ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
Collaborate with partners and occupiers to deliver works effectively.
Download this free eBook to find out more.
