Building manual
The RIBA Plan of Work 2020, suggests that a building manual is: ‘A summary of all key information about a building, including the Health and Safety File and Fire Safety Information, which are regulatory requirements. The Building Manual is used to ensure that Asset Management and Facilities Management are effectively implemented and might contain tasks that the users must consider in order to get the most out of the building.’
The RIBA Plan of Work 2020 suggests that building manuals (which may have been referred to as building owner's manuals, or operation and maintenance manuals) were traditionally been prepared to satisfy statutory requirements and were large, unwieldy and often poorly structured volumes that were difficult to for the client to use.
The Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work published by the RIBA in 2023, states: ‘The Building Manual helps to ensure that operations and maintenance activities are effectively implemented. It includes a summary of all key information about a building, including the Health and Safety File and Fire Safety Information, which are regulatory requirements and might contain tasks that the users must consider to get the most out of the building.’
Security Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2023, states: ‘The Building Manual should contain details of how measures included in the Security Strategy are incorporated into the Building Systems and how these will be operated at RIBA Stage 7, which might be outlined in the Security Plan. The Security Strategy might be included as an appendix to the Building Manual to provide useful decision-making information to users.’
Digital building manuals can provide structured links to information about the products and systems used in a development and information about maintenance, replacements and so on.
Ideally, the client should define what they want to be in the building manual other than statutory requirements.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.