FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Achieving Sustainability
Through Facilities Management
BY ANN BAKER-KEULEMANS
The impact of Facilities Management ( FM ) on business is being recognized internationally . From the ground up , a good FM team , paired with well-thought out FM systems and processes , can affect everything from the built environment to workplace efficiency , the health and wellbeing of staff , and even staff retention . So it is only natural that , in the growing international quest to achieve sustainability , FM has stepped up to take a leading role .
What is sustainable development ? The International Facility Management Association ( IFMA ) recently published several online pieces around environmental stewardship and sustainability , noting that “ The facility management industry is at the forefront of implementing sustainable practices and solutions to promote environmental stewardship and meet sustainability goals .” In a paper entitled Our Common Future , the Brundtland Commission stated that , “ Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs .” This has since become the most popular definition of the term sustainability , as it incorporates the environment and the people in it , as well as development .
The role of FM in sustainable development How exactly does FM help to ensure that your business and your buildings are profitable and environmentally friendly , whilst also providing a healthy and productive space ?
In an existing building , the FM team can make an informed assessment based on their day-to-day knowledge and experience of the existing systems and processes . If necessary , an advisory service , specializing in this , can also be brought in to assist in this phase . Areas that can be addressed include lighting and heating , water consumption , waste water management , recycling , and even space usage . Each of these – for instance moving to energy efficient lightbulbs , installing a grey water irrigation system , introducing recycling initiatives ‒ has a measurable impact on sustainability
and , although sometimes costly to implement , have all been shown to save maintenance and running costs in the long run .
Obsolete building control systems can be replaced by modern operational systems to make provision for the central control and optimisation of air conditioning systems , IT systems , the control of emergency generators and a load control system . With the introduction of the Internet of things ( IoT ) – using the internet to connect everyday devices , from lights and central heating to security systems and pretty much anything with an on / off switch – this kind of central control system will have a large role to play in how FM managers interact with the built environment .
Examples of eco-friendly solutions Environmentally friendly initiatives that relate directly to FM include energy efficiency , reducing a business ’ s carbon footprint , as well as water and resource management ‒ particularly important in a waterscarce country , and considering the dire warnings of yet another prolonged drought phase to come later on this year . Waste management and recycling initiatives , bicycle racks for employees , alternative pest control ( owls , falcons and even ferrets have made a comeback ), alternative energy sources , local conservation efforts , and the use of eco-friendly cleaning materials are other initiatives . The list is exhaustive .
The role of the FM professional in sustainable development The longevity of a building directly affects its sustainability , but this requires something along the lines of seeing into the future . By looking at certain trends , and by staying up-to-date with workplace innovations , an FM professional is able to predict ( to some extent ) what will be required of a building or space in the future . Part of this is looking at space utilization trends , such as hot desking , flexi-time and flexi-space , as well as the people using that space .
Research shows that on the whole , baby boomers prefer privacy and a designated workspace , whereas millennials
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