Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, 3rd Edition

25Maintenance – Definitions and Strategies

25.1 Introduction

Buildings could be said to be a nation’s most valuable assets, providing people with shelter and facilities for work and leisure. The importance of maintenance can be judged from its relationship to the building industry and to gross domestic product (GDP). Maintenance represents 40% of the output of the building industry, and in turn the building industry represents about 10% of the UK’s GDP. Maintenance is defined in several ways (see Table 25.1).

A prime aim of maintenance is to preserve a building in its initial state as far as practicable, so that it effectively serves its purpose. Essentially, maintenance is intended to:

• Retain the value of a building.
• Maintain full use of a building.
• Provide working or living environments that are safe.
• Reduce accidents and injuries arising from defects or deterioration of a building.
• Retain a good appearance or image.
• Meet contract obligations in a lease.
• Prolong the life of a building.
• Meet insurers’ requirements, reducing claims and costs.
• Meet guarantee and warranty obligations.
• Manage carbon footprint.
• Enhance occupant or tenant satisfaction.
• Meet statutory health, safety and environmental legislation.

Every building faces deterioration over time. The process can be accelerated by neglect or delayed by proper care. Proper maintenance is cheaper, quicker and easier than resorting to major repairs or rebuilds. The principal criteria that influence the decision to carry ...