Facility management (FM)
Facility management (FM) is the organizational function that integrates people, place and process in the built environment, covering maintenance, cleaning, security, space and services, so buildings support the people who use them.
Also known as: facilities management · FM · facility services
Facility management (FM) is the work of running a building, or a portfolio of buildings, so it is safe, compliant, comfortable and fit for purpose. The international standard ISO 41011 describes it as an organizational function that integrates people, place and process within the built environment, with the aim of improving people’s quality of life and the productivity of the core business.
Hard and soft services
FM work is usually split into two groups:
| Hard services (building systems and fabric) | Soft services (people and space) |
|---|---|
| HVAC, chillers, AHUs | Cleaning and housekeeping |
| Electrical and lighting | Security and reception |
| Plumbing and drainage | Waste management |
| Lifts and escalators | Pest control |
| Fire safety systems | Landscaping |
| Building fabric repairs | Catering, mailroom, moves |
Example
A facility management company runs a 20-storey office building for its owner. The contract covers planned maintenance of the chillers and lifts, a helpdesk for tenant requests, daily cleaning and round-the-clock security, with SLA targets for each. The facility manager reports monthly on requests received, response and completion times, and SLA compliance.
How it relates to neighbouring terms
- FM is the discipline. CAFM and CMMS are software used to practise it.
- A building management system, in the automation sense, is one of the tools of the hard-services team.
- Property management focuses on the landlord-tenant relationship: leases, rent and owner reporting. FM focuses on the building and its services. In smaller buildings, one team often does both.
Where TaskLoop fits
For FM teams, TaskLoop handles the task layer: requests are logged, assigned to staff or departments with a priority and deadline, completed on the mobile app with optional photo proof, escalated when overdue and reported on. See facility management companies.