Asset register for built assets
An asset register is a schedule of components that form part of a built asset such as a building. It may form part of a building owner's manual, (operation and maintenance manual or O&M manual) for a building which contains all the information required for the operation, maintenance, decommissioning and demolition of a building.
An asset register may be prepared for every component in a building, or just for the ‘active’ assets that require regular inspection, maintenance, cleaning or replacement, such as building services components.
Ideally, it should be prepared during the design stage, but it may be prepared during construction, or as part of a survey of a completed building. Software is available to help prepare and manage asset registers, and companies exist that will carry out an asset survey to compile an initial register.
An asset register may contain a wide range of information, such as:
- A description of the asset.
- Identification number.
- Location.
- Size.
- Access information.
- Supplier.
- Installer.
- Purchase price.
- Date of acquisition.
- Purchase order number.
- Date of delivery .
- Ownership records.
- Current value.
- Condition and defects.
- Maintenance requirements and intervals.
- Information about spares.
- Photographs.
- Drawing references.
- Running cost.
- Energy performance.
- Certification.
- Health and safety information.
- Service level agreements.
- Warranties.
- Disposal date.
- Method of disposal.
- Sale price.
An asset register can be useful for programming and providing the information necessary to carry out activities such as inspections, cleaning and planned preventative maintenance as well as for carrying out repairs or alterations. In addition, it can be useful for budgeting purposes, or for valuing assets, and a copy might be archived as part of an annual financial reporting process.
Asset registers will tend to be prepared digitally, will be searchable and include links to supporting documentation. They may be integrated with maintenance scheduling software, computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) software or building information models (BIM).
Increasingly, building information models (or asset information models) should include all the of information that previously might have been held on a separate asset register. An asset information model (AIM) is an operational BIM model that compiles the data and information necessary to support asset management, that is, it provides all the data and information related to, or required for the operation of an asset. The information required for an asset information model should be defined in the asset information requirements (AIR). In the case of a new asset, asset information requirements will have been used to develop the employer’s information requirements (EIR) incorporated into the tender documentation for a project.
Once compiled, it is very important that the asset register is kept up to date. Responsibility for maintaining the asset register may be given to an asset manager.
NB NRM3: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works, defines an asset register as: '...a record of applicable maintainable assets, including information such as constructed specification, operational performance data, financial and technical details about each asset.'
See also: Creating an asset register for construction projects.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Asset information model
- Asset information requirements.
- BIM and facilities management.
- BIM.
- Building owners manual.
- Contract register.
- Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie).
- Creating an asset register for construction projects.
- Employers Information Requirements.
- NRM3.
- Service level agreement.
- Site records and registers.
- Types of register
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.