Building operations knowledge hub

[edit] Summary

In the context of buildings, “operations” refers to the day-to-day management, use, and maintenance of a building after it has been constructed and occupied. It is part of the building lifecycle, often grouped under “operation and maintenance” (O&M) or “facilities management” (FM). Operations ensure that the building continues to function as intended, remains safe and comfortable for occupants, and operates efficiently and sustainably.

NB The term ‘operations’ can also refer to construction operations.

[edit] What are building operations?

Key tasks in building operations include:

• Handover. The process of moving from construction operations to occupation of the completed building.
• Facilities management . Managing, cleaning, security, front-of-house, reception, porterage, mail services.
• Planned maintenance. Scheduled servicing of HVAC systems, lifts, lighting, plumbing, and other building services.
• Reactive maintenance. Responding to unexpected issues like leaks, equipment breakdowns, or safety hazards.
• Energy management. Monitoring and optimising energy and water usage; managing energy contracts.
• Compliance and safety. Ensuring legal compliance (e.g., fire safety, asbestos management, legionella testing).
• Environmental performance. Reducing carbon emissions, improving sustainability, managing waste and recycling.
• Occupant services. Managing space usage, providing comfort (heating, cooling, lighting), supporting tenant needs.
• Security management. Access control, CCTV, intruder alarms, security staff.
• Financial management. Budgeting, cost control, contract management, procurement.
• Asset management. Keeping an inventory of building systems, monitoring their condition and lifecycle.
• Technology management. Operating building management systems (BMS), IoT sensors, smart building tech.
• Space management. Planning and managing how building spaces are used.
• Change management. Supporting moves, refurbishments, or repurposing of spaces.

[edit] Why do building operations matter?

Well-run operations extend the life of the building and its systems, protecting the owner’s investment. Active monitoring and improvement reduce running costs and carbon footprint, and ensure that the building is safe for occupants and visitors, reducing risks of accidents or legal liabilities and maintain compliance with UK legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., Building Regulations, Health and Safety at Work Act, Fire Safety Order).

A well-maintained and efficiently operated building improves comfort, wellbeing, and productivity for its occupants. This can help support tenant retention and increase the asset’s market value.

[edit] Key articles about building operations

Here are some of the most important and widely read articles about building operations available on Designing Buildings:

Handover and occupation

• Building completion.The stage where all contract requirements are fulfilled and evidenced before handover to the client.
• Commissioning.The process of bringing building systems or contracts into operation and ensuring they function as intended.
• Defects liability period DLP. A contract-specified timeframe—usually six to twelve months post-practical completion—during which the contractor rectifies any defects.
• Early use. Allowing client use of part of the site before practical completion without transferring risk or triggering defect liabilities.
• Extended aftercare for completed construction works. Continued post-handover support over three years to resolve issues and sustain building performance.
• Handover of the construction site to the client. Formal stage when the completed works are certified and control is transferred to the client.
• Initial aftercare for completed construction works. The first-year post-handover phase where issues are identified, training is provided, and systems are fine-tuned.
• Migration strategy. A plan for client relocation into the new facility aiming to minimise disruption and reuse existing assets.
• Occupation. The transition phase where the client moves from a construction site to a functioning, occupied facility.
• Partial possession of the site by the client. Granting client access to part of the site before final completion, while works continue elsewhere.
• Practical completion. The milestone when construction is certified as substantially complete and the client can occupy the building.
• Soft landings. A strategy designed to ensure a smooth transition from construction through initial operation with optimised performance.

Facilities management

• Access control in buildings. Access control is the selective restriction of entry to buildings, rooms, or resources using authorisation systems like locks, turnstiles, or gates to protect assets and comply with insurance and safety standards.
• Asset management. Asset management involves developing, operating, maintaining, upgrading, and disposing of an asset efficiently to realise value across its lifecycle.
• Building cleaning. General cleaning tasks to maintain hygiene, aesthetics, and the condition of a facility.
• Building energy management systems BEMS. BEMS are integrated, computerised systems that monitor and control energy-related building services such as HVAC, lighting, and power for efficiency and cost savings.
• Building management systems BMS. BMS are broader systems integrating control and monitoring of various building services—such as HVAC, fire alarms, access, and lighting—through a single intelligent interface.
• Building manager. A building manager oversees safety, maintenance, security, emergency planning, and contract coordination to ensure a building operates effectively.
• Building services. Building services are the installed systems (e.g. HVAC, lighting, fire safety, ICT) that ensure a building is safe, functional, efficient, and comfortable.
• Decommissioning buildings. Decommissioning buildings is the structured process of planning, deconstruction, and disposal once a building reaches end-of-life.
• Facilities manager. The facilities manager coordinates and oversees building services, maintenance, compliance, cleaning, and performance to support the facility's operation.
• Hard facilities management. Hard FM covers physical maintenance-related services like HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and repairs—ensuring the building fabric and fixed services remain functional.
• Human comfort in buildings. Environmental conditions and controls to support occupant health and productivity.
• Insurance. Types risk management, liability, and compliance.
• Internet of things IoT. IoT integrates sensors/devices across building systems to optimise performance and intelligence.
• Maintenance. Planned, preventative, and reactive work to preserve building services, fabric, and systems in working condition .
• O&M manuals. Documentation for operation and maintenance of building assets, typically handed over at completion to support ongoing care.
• Operational costs for built assets. Lifecycle costs, budgeting and efficiency.
• Property management. Overseeing investment properties—maintenance, tenancy, compliance, and value retention on behalf of owners.
• Security. Protection measures—including access control, surveillance, and regulation compliance (e.g., Approved Document Q)—to prevent unauthorised entry.
• Smart buildings. Smart buildings integrate advanced BMS/BEMS and IoT technologies to improve efficiency, automation, and occupant responsiveness.
• Soft facilities management. Soft FM covers non-technical services like cleaning, reception, catering, and mail that support occupant comfort and building operations.
• Facility waste management services. The collection, segregation, recycling, and disposal of operational waste.

[edit] All articles about building operations

There are more than 200 articles about building operations on Designing Buildings. A full index is available here.

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This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.