Facility management is vital in ensuring that commercial buildings and workplaces run smoothly. Facility managers are responsible for overseeing both soft and hard facilities management, handling everything from building maintenance to cleaning services.
Their functions are critical to ensuring a business’s operations continue without disruption, particularly in large cities like London, where properties range from historic buildings to modern office spaces. This article presents the 4 main functions of facility managers, including maintenance, repairs, health and safety compliance, and resource management.
4 Main Functions Of Facility Managers
1. Maintenance and Repairs
One of the primary functions of a reliable facility manager is overseeing hard facilities management, which involves maintaining the physical infrastructure of a building. This includes managing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, plumbing and electrical systems.
Regular inspections and preventive maintenance ensure that these systems run efficiently and that repairs are handled quickly to prevent costly downtimes. In London, especially in older areas like Westminster and South Kensington, where buildings can be centuries old, effective maintenance is essential to preserving property value.
2. Health and Safety Compliance
Ensuring that the building complies with health and safety regulations is another key responsibility of a facility manager. They must ensure that fire safety equipment is maintained, emergency exits are accessible, and that all areas comply with safety standards, such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
According to recent studies, 90% of UK businesses view health and safety compliance as a top priority, underlining its importance in facilities management. This role is critical in densely populated business hubs like Canary Wharf, where multiple businesses share the same complex, making it essential for facility managers to manage risks effectively.
3. Managing Soft Services
Facility managers are also responsible for overseeing soft facilities management, which includes managing cleaning services, security and landscaping. These services ensure that the workplace is welcoming, clean and secure for employees and visitors.
In busy London districts like Mayfair or Shoreditch, where high-end businesses and creative companies coexist, having a well-maintained and presentable environment is crucial for client impressions and employee satisfaction. A study shows that 67% of employees in the UK believe a clean and organised workplace positively impacts their productivity, which highlights the importance of effective soft services management.
4. Space and Resource Management
Another essential function is optimising the use of space within a building. Facility managers must ensure that offices are designed to maximise productivity, energy efficiency and comfort for employees. This involves organising workspaces, overseeing office moves, and managing shared resources such as meeting rooms and storage areas.
In highly competitive commercial areas of London like The City or Covent Garden, where space comes at a premium, resource management is crucial to ensure that businesses can scale efficiently without the need for costly relocations.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, facility managers play a multi-faceted role in ensuring that a business’s physical space is not only operational but also compliant, efficient and conducive to productivity. Their expertise in both soft and hard facilities management is indispensable in maintaining the seamless operation of offices, particularly in a complex city like London.