Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

CHAPTER 21Building Operationsand Ma i n t e n a n c eMaintenance Plans★ S I G N I F I CA N C E .The O&M costs throughout a building’s useful life far exceed its initial design and constructioncosts. Expenditures related to the salaries and health of employees working in abuilding often equal or exceed O&M costs annually. When these factors are considered,together with the impact that sound O&M practices can have on occupant satisfactionand productivity, it is clear that the financial benefits of creating and maintaining qualitybuilding environments surpass the costs directly related to facility operations alone.AuthorSal AgnelloCodes and professional standards for building design and construction exist to ensurequality buildings. But they alone are not sufficient, because even a properly designed andconstructed building will not provide a cost-effective, healthy environment unless it isproperly operated and maintained. Unfortunately, implementation of professional standardsfor quality building environments usually ends upon completion of building construction;sound building O&M is not assured by codes or other regulatory authority.This section is intended as an overview of practices that promote quality indoor environmentswhile conserving resources during a building’s operational phase.. ☛ SUGGESTED PRACTICES AND CHECKLISTI❑ Train facility staff to observe standards of care for a building.Modern buildings are complex, costly, and likely to expose occupants to risk. Identifyand communicate to facility staff applicable American Society of Heating,Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards, codes, and regulationsthat minimize such risks.– Develop policies and procedures for compliance with these standards and documentationof compliance.