Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

How to write a Building User Guide

2018-03-21T16:04:36Z

Fpwilliamson:

= How to write a Building User Guide (BUG) =

The first thing to think about when producing your Building User Guide (BUG) is the layout.

The guide should be kept short and light. The best way of doing this is to use headings, bullet points and pictures/diagrams. It is important to avoid large blocks of text and unnecessary detail. Remember a picture can speak 1000 words.

The guide should be designed for the following user groups (where relevant):

* The building’s staff
* The non technical facilities management team/building manager
* Other building users e.g. visitors / community users

This can be achieved by splitting the guide into individual sections or by splitting topics by user group. To make this simpler we generally divide topics up as follows:

* Just visiting (usually a separate section at the front of the guide)
* At a Glance
* In Depth

This enables information to be presented in a way which allows the reader to pick and choose what is relevant to them.

The BREEAM guidance under the New Construction 2011 scheme details what topics the guide should cover. Therefore it is important that your guide, as a minimum has the following sections:

== Contents page: ==

This should confirm the topics which have been included and on which pages

== Introduction/How to use the guide: ==

This should provide details of what the guide is for and how it works (i.e. if you are splitting the topics by user (see above) then explain what is relevant and to who).

== Overview of the building and its environmental strategy: ==

This should be kept reasonably short but should details of how the building works in terms of layout and use, but should also briefly cover information on the buildings environmental strategy (e.g. energy/water/waste efficiency policy/strategy) and how users should engage with/deliver it.

== Building services overview and access to controls: ==

This section should very definitely be split between building users/visitors and the building/facilities management.

For building users/visitors it should simply be limited to what they need to know (i.e. how to control the lighting/temperature/ventilation on a local scale, how to operate systems such as dual flush toilets etc and, if appropriate, some simple tips for using the building ‘out of hours’).

For building/facilities management, the guide should go into slightly more depth and should perhaps cover issues such as simple maintenance/replacement issues and the control of lighting/temperature/ventilation on a wider scale (i.e. for the whole building etc). However, it is important to remember that this is a non technical guide and therefore should not go into too much technical detail.

== Pre-arrival information for visitors: ==

This section is predominately for visitors, but it is also useful for building users and or managers to know how to deal with visitors. This section should include brief details of the visitor management strategy including:

* Transport (Including directions, parking and public transport policies)
* Access (Including any access issues and signing in)
* Facilities (Including details of any toilets, showers, canteens etc)
* Shared Facilities (see below)

== Provision of and access to shared facilities: ==

This section only applies where there are shared facilities within the development but should cover all aspects of how to use the shared facilities as follows:

* How to book
* What is available, to who and when
* Access arrangement (in and out of hours)
* Any other information (costs, available equipment etc)

== Safety and emergency information / instructions: ==

This section should be split into user groups and, on a simple level, it should cover what to do in an emergency (i.e. location of fire muster points etc) and also confirm if and when alarms are to be routinely tested. For building managers, this section should also include information on fire marshalling, testing/maintenance regimes for emergency systems and emergency contact numbers.

Building related operational procedures specific to building type/operation:

This section will vary from development to development, but could include special operational procedures for the use of laboratories, controlled spaces or any specialist access arrangements etc.

== Building related incident reporting/feedback arrangements: ==

This section should be effectively split into a chain with details of how building users report problems to the building/facilities management and in turn how they deal with this and or pass it on to the relevant person.

== Building related training information / links: ==

This section should provide details of what building training is available and who delivers it and when. In terms of the building/facilities management, this may include links to specialist outside companies (i.e. for building services operation etc).

Provision of and access to transport facilities:

This section should include details of what transport facilities are available, including:

* Car/motorbike parking spaces (including information for disabled/car share only spaces)
* Cyclist facilities (including details of any showers/lockers etc)
* Provision of public transport (Including details of nearest stops/stations, destinations and timetables)
* Contact details for taxi firms
* Details of any green travel initiatives

== Provision of and access to local amenities: ==

This section should provide details of local businesses and services relevant to the building users (i.e. cash machines, post boxes, grocery stores, chemists, medical centres etc) and include details on how find them (location maps etc).

== Re-fit, refurbishment and maintenance arrangements/considerations: ==

This section is predominately for the building management and should include details for the maintenance and replacement of building services/fabric and also considerations for re-fitting/refurbishment of the development (e.g. the location of services and load bearing walls etc as well as access and fire considerations). Again this section should not be too technical and should refer back to the maintenance guides and O&M manuals.

== Links, references and relevant contact details: ==

This section speaks for itself. However, it is important that it is limited to the relevant sections and isn’t ‘bulked out’ with general websites etc which are not directly relevant.

= Building user Guide – do’s and don’t’s =

The following are some do’s and don’t’s to consider when preparing your guide:

== Do’s: ==

* Do keep it simple and to the point
* Do ensure that all the required topics are covered
* Do use headings to differentiate between sections/topics
* Do make it relevant to the intended users
* Do present it in a way which is accessible to the intended users.

== Don’t’s: ==

* Don’t copy large sections of manufacturers’ information from the O&M manuals.
* Don’t include too much block text
* Don’t try and cover too much
* Don’t assume that something is obvious, but equally don’t patronise

Realistically, as long as you consider the above and aim to make your guide a useful tool (rather than something required to pass BREEAM), then you should be on the right track.

= References =

[https://www.bsria.co.uk/information-membership/bookshop/publication/building-manuals-and-building-user-guides-guidance-and-worked-examples/ https://www.bsria.co.uk/information-membership/bookshop/publication/building-manuals-and-building-user-guides-guidance-and-worked-examples/]

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:BREEAM]]

BREEAM Passive design

2018-03-21T15:58:50Z

Fpwilliamson:

= Aim and benefits =

Passive design is one of the first steps in the Energy Hierarchy:

[[File:EnergyHierarchy.jpg|link=File:EnergyHierarchy.jpg]]

The energy hierarchy aims to help designers methodically work through reducing energy demand in a building and making systems as efficient as possible prior to just installing renewable technologies. Often reducing demand and increasing efficiency are skipped in favour of "sticking some PV panels on the roof" just to meet building regulations (or enhanced regulations such as The London Plan).

Passive Design is a design technique which uses the natural movement of heat, air and light to keep internal conditions in a building comfortable. By using natural movements, there is a reduced need for energy consuming Active Design measures such as comfort cooling, heat exchangers, boilers etc.

The aim of this issue is to encourage designers to adopt measures which reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, while minimising reliance on active building services systems.

= When to consider =

The earlier in RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Stage 2 this can be considered, the better. Frequently however you'll find that many of the early passive design decisions are made by designers without documenting them and that the actual report which can be used as BREEAM evidence may only be produced towards the end of the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Stage along with the Stage 2 report.

= Step by step guidance =

Awaiting content

= Questions to ask while seeking compliance =

Awaiting content

= Tools and resources =

[http://www.breeam.com/BREEAMUK2014SchemeDocument/content/06_energy/ene04.htm BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 Issue 5.0 Criteria - ENE 04]

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSHGEq31o5fGQBWigoYQ8xZmbx5IzRSgDgtqxKfJIM4ORbhHKq4t-vXlP2mFOzUMX8NcqU8yQ5zGOqq/pub Blank example report template]

[http://kb.breeam.com/?s=passive+design&post_type%5B%5D=st_kb BRE Knowledge base related articles]

= Tips and best practice =

The evidence you need will more than likely be in a Stage 2 report, or Energy Strategy which likely will have been submitted to planning. Ctrl+F "Passive" "Lean" "Natural" to get to the right section.

If a passive design analysis is not being included in Stage 2/Energy Strategy reports, sometimes it's helpful to give engineers a blank template and tell them that essentially if they put something in each box, it'll end up compliant. This helps to stop certain aspects being overlooked without stifling their creativity in the design decision making process. An example can be found above.

= Typical evidence =

== RIBA Stage 2 Evidence ==

Typically a report. A checklist of things to check the report contains:

# Does it cover all criteria in the compliance note relating to content (CN4 in UK New Construction 2014 Issue 1.0)
# Is the project name stated?
# Is it dated?
# Is the author and their company stated?
# Is it clearly stated that the report was produced during RIBA Stage 2? Or have you provided additional evidence to confirm that the date it was written was during RIBA Stage 2?

-----
== RIBA Stage 2/3 Evidence (Might come earlier) ==

The [https://www.ribaplanofwork.com/PlanOfWork.aspx RIBA Plan of Work] states that typically the engineers will produce an initial Part L report (BRUKL) during RIBA Stage 2, and a more accurate report during RIBA Stage 3. While the Part L report itself won't technically give you an energy demand reduction solely due to passive measures♦, the production of it does allow for you to know that it's time for your building physicist could produce the required evidence.

♦Many assessors will use the change in Energy Demand as stated on the Part L Report. This is technically wrong for various reasons, such as the Part L model not necessarily using realistic glazing in the notional building. Technically a building physicist should model two buildings, with the same glazing area, but with only the passive design measures varying. The baseline model should be modelled so that it is no worse than building regs values. You would then get two Part L Reports, and would need to compare the Primary Energy Demand (or CO2 emissions in BREEAM UK 2018 or International 2016) of the Actual Building for each to show a meaningful reduction.

A checklist of things to check the report contains:

# Do you have 2 x Part L reports, and is it clear which one relates to your actual designed building and which relates to the building without passive measures?
# Have both reports been produced by an accredited energy assessor or CIBSE member?
# If you're not confident with percentages, has the engineer confirmed the percentage reduction in energy demand (or CO2 emissions for BREEAM International 2016 and UK 2018) as a result of passive design measures?

LASTLY, DON'T FORGET CRITERIA 1: Have you awarded the thermal modelling credit?

-----
== Post Construction Evidence ==

# As per RIBA Stage 2 evidence.
# "As built" versions of the Stage 3/4 evidence.
# Site Inspection report highlighting passive design measures where possible (building form, orientation, natural ventilation possibly).

= Applicable Schemes =

The guidelines collated in this ISD aim to support sustainable best practice in the topic described. This issue may apply in multiple BREEAM schemes covering different stages in the life of a building, different building types and different year versions. Some content may be generic but scheme nuances should also be taken into account. Refer to the comments below and related articles to this one to understand these nuances. See [[BREEAM_Issue_support_document_template|this document]] for further guidelines.

* List applicable schemes here

-----
BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.

--[[User:CatClarkson|CatClarkson]]

= Find out more =

[[Passive_building_design|Passive building design]]

[[Building_fabric|Building fabric]]

[[Natural_ventilation|Natural ventilation]]

[[Natural_ventilation_of_buildings|Natural ventilation of buildings]]

[[Daylighting|Daylighting]]

[https://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/passive-design-strategies https://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/passive-design-strategies]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_building_design https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_building_design]

[[Category:BREEAM]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Design]]

BREEAM Site Selection

2018-03-21T15:57:11Z

Fpwilliamson:

BREEAM Site Selection

= Aim and benefits =

To encourage the reuse of land that has been previously developed and discourage the use of previously undeveloped land for building.

To encourage positive action to use contaminated land that otherwise would not have been remediated and developed.

To avoid land which has not been previously disturbed.

= When to consider =

RIBA Plan of Work 2013 - Stage 1: Preparation of Brief - as early as possible.

Once the site has been selected there is nothing that can be done to change the situation.

A site investigation report will be done at the earliest stage and should indicate if there is any contamination. But often it has already been decided that this is the site whether it is contaminated or not.

These credits are very difficult to choose to achieve as they are mainly situational.

= Step by step guidance =

=== Previously developed land credit ===

Was the site previously developed?

An early Site investigation report will detail this but often it is known by the design team from the onset.

As evidence, previous use will likely be detailed in the Design statement or Site investigation report. The Ecologists habitat survey may demonstrate previous land use. A Geotechnical and Geo-environmental interpretative report or Ground investigation report would also detail any previous uses.

The 2011 assessment asked that the previous development to have been within the last 50 years. It is common that the land has clearly had a previous land use but if not, historical maps can be used.

The design team must demonstrate that more than 75% of the site was previously used. The most straight forward method to demonstrate this is with an existing site plan showing the site boundary and the area of previously used land and the area of proposed development. Separate drawings can be used. The areas in m2 must be detailed so the 75% can be calculated.

There is a compliance note in relation to education assessments and use of playing fields.

=== Contaminated land credit ===

It is unlikely that a site would be chosen because it is contaminated but where there is a choice hopefully the client would choose it.

A ground investigation report or Geotechnical and Geo-environmental interpretative report would demonstrate that there is contamination.

A specialist in contamination would then likely compile a separate report or section on the contamination and the remediation measures required.

The ecology report may also detail some contamination as some non-native invasive species are contaminants. Currently the two species which currently qualify are Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed. The DEFRA website provides more information on these species. 2014 assessments can approach the BRE if they find a species which acts as a barrier to development and see if it can qualify. The ecologist would likely be able to advise on the appropriate removal of invasive species.

The specialist report with the remediation instructions should be used as evidence but to achieve the credit the remediation must be carried out. For the design stage assessment, the team must confirm that the remediation is to be carried out as the specialist has instructed.

= Questions to ask while seeking compliance =

Was the site previously developed?

How much of the site was previously developed?

What was the previous land use?

How long ago was it developed?

Is there likely to be contamination?

Has the ground been investigated?

Has a habitat survey or environmental impact assessment been carried out?

= Tools and resources =

DEFRA website e.g.- [https://www.gov.uk/contaminated-land https://www.gov.uk/contaminated-land]

SEPA e.g.- [https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/biodiversity/invasive-non-native-species/ https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/biodiversity/invasive-non-native-species/]

= Tips and best practice =

Make sure it is very clear for the auditor that 75% of the proposed site is on previously developed land.

= Typical evidence =

(All of these documents are not required).

Existing site drawing

Proposed site drawing

Design statement

Site investigation report

Geotechnical and Geo-environmental interpretative report

Contamination report

Confirmation of remediation

-----
BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.

--[[User:Emma_Houston|Emma Houston]] 11:17, 18 Jan 2018 (BST)

[[Category:BREEAM]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

How to write a Building User Guide

2018-03-21T15:54:59Z

Fpwilliamson:

= How to write a Building User Guide (BUG) =

The first thing to think about when producing your Building User Guide (BUG) is the layout.

The guide should be kept short and light. The best way of doing this is to use headings, bullet points and pictures/diagrams. It is important to avoid large blocks of text and unnecessary detail. Remember a picture can speak 1000 words.

The guide should be designed for the following user groups (where relevant):

* The building’s staff
* The non technical facilities management team/building manager
* Other building users e.g. visitors / community users

This can be achieved by splitting the guide into individual sections or by splitting topics by user group. To make this simpler we generally divide topics up as follows:

* Just visiting (usually a separate section at the front of the guide)
* At a Glance
* In Depth

This enables information to be presented in a way which allows the reader to pick and choose what is relevant to them.

The BREEAM guidance under the New Construction 2011 scheme details what topics the guide should cover. Therefore it is important that your guide, as a minimum has the following sections:

== Contents page: ==

This should confirm the topics which have been included and on which pages

== Introduction/How to use the guide: ==

This should provide details of what the guide is for and how it works (i.e. if you are splitting the topics by user (see above) then explain what is relevant and to who).

== Overview of the building and its environmental strategy: ==

This should be kept reasonably short but should details of how the building works in terms of layout and use, but should also briefly cover information on the buildings environmental strategy (e.g. energy/water/waste efficiency policy/strategy) and how users should engage with/deliver it.

== Building services overview and access to controls: ==

This section should very definitely be split between building users/visitors and the building/facilities management.

For building users/visitors it should simply be limited to what they need to know (i.e. how to control the lighting/temperature/ventilation on a local scale, how to operate systems such as dual flush toilets etc and, if appropriate, some simple tips for using the building ‘out of hours’).

For building/facilities management, the guide should go into slightly more depth and should perhaps cover issues such as simple maintenance/replacement issues and the control of lighting/temperature/ventilation on a wider scale (i.e. for the whole building etc). However, it is important to remember that this is a non technical guide and therefore should not go into too much technical detail.

== Pre-arrival information for visitors: ==

This section is predominately for visitors, but it is also useful for building users and or managers to know how to deal with visitors. This section should include brief details of the visitor management strategy including:

* Transport (Including directions, parking and public transport policies)
* Access (Including any access issues and signing in)
* Facilities (Including details of any toilets, showers, canteens etc)
* Shared Facilities (see below)

== Provision of and access to shared facilities: ==

This section only applies where there are shared facilities within the development but should cover all aspects of how to use the shared facilities as follows:

* How to book
* What is available, to who and when
* Access arrangement (in and out of hours)
* Any other information (costs, available equipment etc)

== Safety and emergency information / instructions: ==

This section should be split into user groups and, on a simple level, it should cover what to do in an emergency (i.e. location of fire muster points etc) and also confirm if and when alarms are to be routinely tested. For building managers, this section should also include information on fire marshalling, testing/maintenance regimes for emergency systems and emergency contact numbers.

Building related operational procedures specific to building type/operation:

This section will vary from development to development, but could include special operational procedures for the use of laboratories, controlled spaces or any specialist access arrangements etc.

== Building related incident reporting/feedback arrangements: ==

This section should be effectively split into a chain with details of how building users report problems to the building/facilities management and in turn how they deal with this and or pass it on to the relevant person.

== Building related training information / links: ==

This section should provide details of what building training is available and who delivers it and when. In terms of the building/facilities management, this may include links to specialist outside companies (i.e. for building services operation etc).

Provision of and access to transport facilities:

This section should include details of what transport facilities are available, including:

* Car/motorbike parking spaces (including information for disabled/car share only spaces)
* Cyclist facilities (including details of any showers/lockers etc)
* Provision of public transport (Including details of nearest stops/stations, destinations and timetables)
* Contact details for taxi firms
* Details of any green travel initiatives

== Provision of and access to local amenities: ==

This section should provide details of local businesses and services relevant to the building users (i.e. cash machines, post boxes, grocery stores, chemists, medical centres etc) and include details on how find them (location maps etc).

== Re-fit, refurbishment and maintenance arrangements/considerations: ==

This section is predominately for the building management and should include details for the maintenance and replacement of building services/fabric and also considerations for re-fitting/refurbishment of the development (e.g. the location of services and load bearing walls etc as well as access and fire considerations). Again this section should not be too technical and should refer back to the maintenance guides and O&M manuals.

== Links, references and relevant contact details: ==

This section speaks for itself. However, it is important that it is limited to the relevant sections and isn’t ‘bulked out’ with general websites etc which are not directly relevant.

= Building user Guide – do’s and don’t’s =

The following are some do’s and don’t’s to consider when preparing your guide:

== Do’s: ==

* Do keep it simple and to the point
* Do ensure that all the required topics are covered
* Do use headings to differentiate between sections/topics
* Do make it relevant to the intended users
* Do present it in a way which is accessible to the intended users.

== Don’t’s: ==

* Don’t copy large sections of manufacturers’ information from the O&M manuals.
* Don’t include too much block text
* Don’t try and cover too much
* Don’t assume that something is obvious, but equally don’t patronise

Realistically, as long as you consider the above and aim to make your guide a useful tool (rather than something required to pass BREEAM), then you should be on the right track.

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:BREEAM]]

How to write a Building User Guide

2018-03-21T15:53:31Z

Fpwilliamson:

= How to write a Building User Guide =

The first thing to think about when producing your Building User guide is the layout.

The guide should be kept short and light. The best way of doing this is to use headings, bullet points and pictures/diagrams. It is important to avoid large blocks of text and unnecessary detail. Remember a picture can speak 1000 words.

The guide should be designed for the following user groups (where relevant):

* The building’s staff
* The non technical facilities management team/building manager
* Other building users e.g. visitors / community users

This can be achieved by splitting the guide into individual sections or by splitting topics by user group. To make this simpler we generally divide topics up as follows:

* Just visiting (usually a separate section at the front of the guide)
* At a Glance
* In Depth

This enables information to be presented in a way which allows the reader to pick and choose what is relevant to them.

The BREEAM guidance under the New Construction 2011 scheme details what topics the guide should cover. Therefore it is important that your guide, as a minimum has the following sections:

== Contents page: ==

This should confirm the topics which have been included and on which pages

== Introduction/How to use the guide: ==

This should provide details of what the guide is for and how it works (i.e. if you are splitting the topics by user (see above) then explain what is relevant and to who).

== Overview of the building and its environmental strategy: ==

This should be kept reasonably short but should details of how the building works in terms of layout and use, but should also briefly cover information on the buildings environmental strategy (e.g. energy/water/waste efficiency policy/strategy) and how users should engage with/deliver it.

== Building services overview and access to controls: ==

This section should very definitely be split between building users/visitors and the building/facilities management.

For building users/visitors it should simply be limited to what they need to know (i.e. how to control the lighting/temperature/ventilation on a local scale, how to operate systems such as dual flush toilets etc and, if appropriate, some simple tips for using the building ‘out of hours’).

For building/facilities management, the guide should go into slightly more depth and should perhaps cover issues such as simple maintenance/replacement issues and the control of lighting/temperature/ventilation on a wider scale (i.e. for the whole building etc). However, it is important to remember that this is a non technical guide and therefore should not go into too much technical detail.

== Pre-arrival information for visitors: ==

This section is predominately for visitors, but it is also useful for building users and or managers to know how to deal with visitors. This section should include brief details of the visitor management strategy including:

* Transport (Including directions, parking and public transport policies)
* Access (Including any access issues and signing in)
* Facilities (Including details of any toilets, showers, canteens etc)
* Shared Facilities (see below)

== Provision of and access to shared facilities: ==

This section only applies where there are shared facilities within the development but should cover all aspects of how to use the shared facilities as follows:

* How to book
* What is available, to who and when
* Access arrangement (in and out of hours)
* Any other information (costs, available equipment etc)

== Safety and emergency information / instructions: ==

This section should be split into user groups and, on a simple level, it should cover what to do in an emergency (i.e. location of fire muster points etc) and also confirm if and when alarms are to be routinely tested. For building managers, this section should also include information on fire marshalling, testing/maintenance regimes for emergency systems and emergency contact numbers.

Building related operational procedures specific to building type/operation:

This section will vary from development to development, but could include special operational procedures for the use of laboratories, controlled spaces or any specialist access arrangements etc.

== Building related incident reporting/feedback arrangements: ==

This section should be effectively split into a chain with details of how building users report problems to the building/facilities management and in turn how they deal with this and or pass it on to the relevant person.

== Building related training information / links: ==

This section should provide details of what building training is available and who delivers it and when. In terms of the building/facilities management, this may include links to specialist outside companies (i.e. for building services operation etc).

Provision of and access to transport facilities:

This section should include details of what transport facilities are available, including:

* Car/motorbike parking spaces (including information for disabled/car share only spaces)
* Cyclist facilities (including details of any showers/lockers etc)
* Provision of public transport (Including details of nearest stops/stations, destinations and timetables)
* Contact details for taxi firms
* Details of any green travel initiatives

== Provision of and access to local amenities: ==

This section should provide details of local businesses and services relevant to the building users (i.e. cash machines, post boxes, grocery stores, chemists, medical centres etc) and include details on how find them (location maps etc).

== Re-fit, refurbishment and maintenance arrangements/considerations: ==

This section is predominately for the building management and should include details for the maintenance and replacement of building services/fabric and also considerations for re-fitting/refurbishment of the development (e.g. the location of services and load bearing walls etc as well as access and fire considerations). Again this section should not be too technical and should refer back to the maintenance guides and O&M manuals.

== Links, references and relevant contact details: ==

This section speaks for itself. However, it is important that it is limited to the relevant sections and isn’t ‘bulked out’ with general websites etc which are not directly relevant.

= Building user Guide – do’s and don’t’s =

The following are some do’s and don’t’s to consider when preparing your guide:

== Do’s: ==

* Do keep it simple and to the point
* Do ensure that all the required topics are covered
* Do use headings to differentiate between sections/topics
* Do make it relevant to the intended users
* Do present it in a way which is accessible to the intended users.

== Don’t’s: ==

* Don’t copy large sections of manufacturers’ information from the O&M manuals.
* Don’t include too much block text
* Don’t try and cover too much
* Don’t assume that something is obvious, but equally don’t patronise

Realistically, as long as you consider the above and aim to make your guide a useful tool (rather than something required to pass BREEAM), then you should be on the right track.

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:BREEAM]]

How to write a Building User Guide

2018-03-21T15:51:22Z

Fpwilliamson: Created page with "= How to write a Building User Guide = The first thing to think about when producing your Building User guide is the layout. The guide should be kept short and light. The best ..."

= How to write a Building User Guide =

The first thing to think about when producing your Building User guide is the layout.

The guide should be kept short and light. The best way of doing this is to use headings, bullet points and pictures/diagrams. It is important to avoid large blocks of text and unnecessary detail. Remember a picture can speak 1000 words.

The guide should be designed for the following user groups (where relevant):

* The building’s staff
* The non technical facilities management team/building manager
* Other building users e.g. visitors / community users

This can be achieved by splitting the guide into individual sections or by splitting topics by user group. To make this simpler we generally divide topics up as follows:

* Just visiting (usually a separate section at the front of the guide)
* At a Glance
* In Depth

This enables information to be presented in a way which allows the reader to pick and choose what is relevant to them.

== Contents: ==

The BREEAM guidance under the New Construction 2011 scheme details what topics the guide should cover. Therefore it is important that your guide, as a minimum has the following sections:

=== Contents page: ===

This should confirm the topics which have been included and on which pages

=== Introduction/How to use the guide: ===

This should provide details of what the guide is for and how it works (i.e. if you are splitting the topics by user (see above) then explain what is relevant and to who).

=== Overview of the building and its environmental strategy: ===

This should be kept reasonably short but should details of how the building works in terms of layout and use, but should also briefly cover information on the buildings environmental strategy (e.g. energy/water/waste efficiency policy/strategy) and how users should engage with/deliver it.

=== Building services overview and access to controls: ===

This section should very definitely be split between building users/visitors and the building/facilities management.

For building users/visitors it should simply be limited to what they need to know (i.e. how to control the lighting/temperature/ventilation on a local scale, how to operate systems such as dual flush toilets etc and, if appropriate, some simple tips for using the building ‘out of hours’).

For building/facilities management, the guide should go into slightly more depth and should perhaps cover issues such as simple maintenance/replacement issues and the control of lighting/temperature/ventilation on a wider scale (i.e. for the whole building etc). However, it is important to remember that this is a non technical guide and therefore should not go into too much technical detail.

=== Pre-arrival information for visitors: ===

This section is predominately for visitors, but it is also useful for building users and or managers to know how to deal with visitors. This section should include brief details of the visitor management strategy including:

* Transport (Including directions, parking and public transport policies)
* Access (Including any access issues and signing in)
* Facilities (Including details of any toilets, showers, canteens etc)
* Shared Facilities (see below)

=== Provision of and access to shared facilities: ===

This section only applies where there are shared facilities within the development but should cover all aspects of how to use the shared facilities as follows:

* How to book
* What is available, to who and when
* Access arrangement (in and out of hours)
* Any other information (costs, available equipment etc)

=== Safety and emergency information / instructions: ===

This section should be split into user groups and, on a simple level, it should cover what to do in an emergency (i.e. location of fire muster points etc) and also confirm if and when alarms are to be routinely tested. For building managers, this section should also include information on fire marshalling, testing/maintenance regimes for emergency systems and emergency contact numbers.

Building related operational procedures specific to building type/operation:

This section will vary from development to development, but could include special operational procedures for the use of laboratories, controlled spaces or any specialist access arrangements etc.

=== Building related incident reporting/feedback arrangements: ===

This section should be effectively split into a chain with details of how building users report problems to the building/facilities management and in turn how they deal with this and or pass it on to the relevant person.

=== Building related training information / links: ===

This section should provide details of what building training is available and who delivers it and when. In terms of the building/facilities management, this may include links to specialist outside companies (i.e. for building services operation etc).

Provision of and access to transport facilities:

This section should include details of what transport facilities are available, including:

* Car/motorbike parking spaces (including information for disabled/car share only spaces)
* Cyclist facilities (including details of any showers/lockers etc)
* Provision of public transport (Including details of nearest stops/stations, destinations and timetables)
* Contact details for taxi firms
* Details of any green travel initiatives

=== 1.1.10 Provision of and access to local amenities: ===

This section should provide details of local businesses and services relevant to the building users (i.e. cash machines, post boxes, grocery stores, chemists, medical centres etc) and include details on how find them (location maps etc).

=== 1.1.11 Re-fit, refurbishment and maintenance arrangements/considerations: ===

This section is predominately for the building management and should include details for the maintenance and replacement of building services/fabric and also considerations for re-fitting/refurbishment of the development (e.g. the location of services and load bearing walls etc as well as access and fire considerations). Again this section should not be too technical and should refer back to the maintenance guides and O&M manuals.

=== 1.1.12 Links, references and relevant contact details: ===

This section speaks for itself. However, it is important that it is limited to the relevant sections and isn’t ‘bulked out’ with general websites etc which are not directly relevant.

= Building user Guide – do’s and don’t’s =

The following are some do’s and don’t’s to consider when preparing your guide:

== Do’s: ==

* Do keep it simple and to the point
* Do ensure that all the required topics are covered
* Do use headings to differentiate between sections/topics
* Do make it relevant to the intended users
* Do present it in a way which is accessible to the intended users.

== Don’t’s: ==

* Don’t copy large sections of manufacturers’ information from the O&M manuals.
* Don’t include too much block text
* Don’t try and cover too much
* Don’t assume that something is obvious, but equally don’t patronise

Realistically, as long as you consider the above and aim to make your guide a useful tool (rather than something required to pass BREEAM), then you should be on the right track.

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:BREEAM]]