Extended aftercare for completed construction works
The soft landings framework is a joint initiative between BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) and UBT (Usable Buildings Trust). It is an open-source framework intended to ‘…smooth the transition into use and to address problems that post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) show to be widespread’ (ref Useable Buildings Trust).
The government considers that soft landings sits alongside Building Information Modelling (BIM), as BIM feeds facility management systems and helps enable future alterations to completed buildings. As a result, it is thought that, in parallel to the roll out of BIM, the government may mandate a Government Soft Landings (GSL) handover protocol for central government projects by 2016.
Soft landings includes provisions for initial aftercare and extended aftercare services for three years after the completed development has been handed over to the occupants. A decision to require this aftercare should be made early during the development of the project so that the necessary services can be included in tender documents and appointment agreements.
The Initial aftercare period is intended to deal with immediate problems, help the occupants understand the development, and help facilities managers learn to operate it. It is a period of intensive aftercare that will typically last 4 to 6 weeks.
After this, the aftercare on site will reduce over a period of 3 years. During this extended aftercare, review meetings will continue to be held, newsletters issued, and walkabouts undertaken but they will become less frequent as time progresses.
In year 1, outstanding problems are identified and resolved, continued training provided and systems fine-tuned, with regular reviews of performance, and comparisons with design predictions.
In years 2 and 3, performance is reviewed less frequently.
Post occupancy surveys should be carried out during year 2, ideally by independent organisations. These do not happen sooner, as the building will not yet have gone through a full year of operation, and so surveys could not properly account for different seasons or patterns of usage. In addition, if they were carried out sooner, surveys might be pre-occupied with teething problems rather than the underlying performance of the development. A second survey may be undertaken in year 3 to obtain additional feedback about the long-term performance of the development.
During this period, the facilities management team should log energy usage, and prepare regular written reviews of performance. Any fine tuning or other changes should also be recorded. Data and other evidence obtained during this period can help inform decisions about future alterations to the development.
A lessons learned report might be prepared at end of year 3.
This process of extended aftercare not only helps to inform users and facilities managers, it also provides the opportunity for the project team to learn about problems that have been encountered, assess what steps might be taken to rectify them and consider how to avoid them on future projects.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BIM and facilities management.
- BREEAM Aftercare support.
- Building information modelling.
- Building log book.
- Building owner's manual.
- Building users guide.
- Building performance metrics.
- Client commissioning.
- Defects liability period.
- Government construction strategy.
- Handover to client.
- Initial aftercare
- Lessons learned report.
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology soft landings project.
- Migration strategy.
- Occupation of completed construction site.
- Post occupancy evaluation.
- Post project review.
- Performance in use.
- Snagging.
- Soft landings.
- Soft Landings for owners.
- Technical guide.
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.