News on 09 October 2000
Lamenting the fact there is no formal building handover
protocol, the BRE claims this often results in unnecessary losses in operational
efficiency.
To solve the problem, the agency has launched a two-year project, under
the aegis of the DETR’s Partners in Innovation scheme.
"Typically, information at handover is a collection of drawings and
manufacturers’ product literature," say the BRE’s John
Palmer. "These are little help to the new owner or facilities manager
in the day to day operation of the building - they need a more practical
and user friendly ‘building log-book’ approach."
Citing increasingly complicated building services and control systems,
the BRE worries that poor operation can negate the benefits of good design.
The results may include excessive energy use, costly maintenance, poor
productivity and, even, sick building syndrome.
The project aims to develop a workable and acceptable protocol for the
handover of both new and existing facilities. It will be different from
the commissioning protocol and will ideally become an integral part of
the building delivery process.
The starting point will be an investigation of current handover practices
and identification of improvements needed. This will form the basis of
a draft protocol to be tested on at least two projects and revised as
necessary, before being trialed by partner organisations on up to four
‘live’ projects. The final amendments will then be made and
the agreed protocol disseminated.
