Buildings B

Chapter 3 ^ U NB UMAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENTProblems that building owners usually encounter in themaintenance or management of their properties, and theirpossible causes are described in this Chapter. Havingacquired the relevant background knowledge, buildingowners can be in a better position to assess theconditions of their properties.Solutions to some common problems described inthis Chapter are provided in Chapter 4. Detailedsteps, alternatives, rectification measures and methodshave also been included. After reading through thesetwo Chapters, building owners can gain a furtherinsight on the concerned subject matters facilitatingtheir selection of suitable rectification measures.Maintenance and Management are two closelyrelated issues. Building management, apart fromcovering the basic security and cleanliness aspectsof buildings, should also coordinate or even includeimplementation of maintenance plans to ensure asafe and pleasant living environment. As explainedin the coming sections of this chapter, surveillancecan be strategically combined with inspection formaintenance. It would be beneficial to owners inengaging the same personnel in carrying out bothduties.Prevention is better than cure. Defects create hazards leading to serious or fatalinjuries. Most defects can, at their early stages, be discovered through visible ordetectable symptoms. If not promptly rectified, minor defects can develop into seriousones, causing failure or sudden collapse, endangering lives and becoming morecostly to rectify. While Chapter 3 gives readers some hints on preventing the problemsand foreseeing the needs, Chapter 4 provides solutions for early actions or rectification,thus avoiding hazards and Government orders. This is the spirit of timely maintenance.UNDERSTANDING BUILDINGMAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT