Improve facilities management and reduce risk
Press release - 9th October 2012
Business standards company BSI, has launched a new standard today to encourage best practice Facility Information Management (FIM).
Sponsored by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), BS 8587 – Guide to Facility Information Management - is BSI’s response to a call for better provision of accessible, relevant and pertinent information regarding the performance of buildings.
BS 8587 addresses a new area of standardization. It has been developed by influential experts in recognition that effective Facility Information Management (FIM) can undoubtedly help reduce uncertainty and risk within the industry.
Influential contributors to the standard include the British Institute of Facilities Management, the Cabinet office, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Facilities Management Association, the Health Estates and Facilities management, the Institution of Civil Engineers and RICS Facilities Management Faculty.
The new standard offers guidance and recommendations on information management and the data concerning the facilities managed. This will be of particular interest to those with a responsibility for the operation and the management of space within commercial and industrial property. The standard is applicable to organizations managing an existing facility as well as those planning the delivery of a new facility in both the public and private sector.
BS 8587 will help building managers plan projects with greater confidence by documenting and sharing knowledge which ultimately increases the understanding of the operability of the facility.
The standard supports the Government’s recommendation within the Low Carbon Construction Innovation & Growth Team Report, which proposes that a building is not regarded as complete until it performs in accordance with its design criteria.
Dr Brian Atkin, Director of The Facilities Society and author of the standard said: “Many organizations like to have lots of information to hand so they feel they are on top of their facilities management. However the safe and continued operation of a facility relies on the ability to access relevant and appropriate data. The development of a best practice standard for the management of facility information is an important step to help our industry address its legal, commercial and managerial obligations.”
Shirley Bailey-Wood, Director of Publishing at BSI said: ““The introduction of this new standard shows the growing commitment and importance within this industry to reduce risk and improve facilities performance and management. Through the creation of BS 8587, BSI now provides building managers with the guidance they need to embed a consistent framework and to implement policies and plans to ensure that information is managed effectively and the building remains safe and operational.”
