A facility audit is a detailed analysis of the physical space of a building or an organisation. The audit is designed to pinpoint where projects require improvement, to see if they are in compliance with the relevant standards and regulations, and to check the effective systems and processes in place. Audits at facilities can be conducted for a number of reasons, which include construction maintenance, energy utilisation, health and safety issues, security issues, and overall operational effectiveness. Whether you are a property manager, a business owner or a facility manager, in this article we will also talk about the business benefits. Enroll now in a techniques for Facility Management course to enhance your skills in resolving disputes and fostering stronger collaborations.
An audit of the facility takes consideration of every part and element of systems housed in the facility. This includes the building's physical structure and the operational systems that would ensure the smooth running of the building. Generally, an audit would be conducted by a qualified professional in the building maintenance area, construction, or facility management.
There are several different types of facility audits that we will explain in simple terms.
An energy audit essentially studies how energy is consumed in a structure and highlights areas of improvement in consumption efficiency. The audit would consider heating, cooling, lighting, or any system that uses energy-in the hope of decreasing energy costs and improving environmental sustainability. The result might be advice on improved insulation, replacement of old equipment, or energy-saving technologies.
This is the type of audit made to determine whether a facility adheres to regulations on health and safety at local, state, and federal levels. It involves checking fire hazards, proper signs, emergency exits, security demands, and employee safety practices. Safety and compliance audits serve as risk mitigators and ensure that the building has statutory and insurance compliance.
The examination specific to security audit analyzes the measures presently instituted to safeguard the facility and the people occupying it. These checks entail verification of security systems, surveillance cameras, access control systems, lighting, check the availability of other factors contributing to overall safety levels of the building. It may also include checking up on the emergency response protocols in case of a security breach or other emergencies.
An operational audit monitors how the facility performs during the coming day. For example, the evaluation would include systems for maintenance, cleaning, waste management, and any other operations which are necessary for a building's cycle of functionality. The net effect would be to identify inefficiencies resulting in better streamlining of operations for optimum overall facility operation.
As we have seen the types of facility audits, now we will present the reasons for facility audits and why they are important.
Maintenance and repair areas in the building and its systems are determined through the regular facility audits. Thus, organisations may extend the lifespan of the facility and minimise costly emergency repairs by preventing upcoming small problems from escalating into more significant, costly ones. The most important thing is to do all inspections early; the earlier the problems are detected, less will they cost on an emergency basis.
Facility audits would typically unearth savings benefits. A sample will be energy audits that pointed out inefficiencies concerning the energy usage leading to economic savings when implementing energy-saving measures. Likewise, a security audit points out loopholes in the security system of the facility, leading to economic losses due to such security breaches or robbery.
A safety and compliance audit ensures that the facility is compliant with the needed regulations regarding health and safety to avoid repercussions of penalties, lawsuits, or insurance claims. Moreover, this also ensures the safety of the employees, visitors, and tenements for a standard safe and productive environment.
Operational audits aim to analyze a facility's day-to-day operations to identify where and how improving processes can be instituted. Be it optimized maintenance schedules or improved waste management systems, these operational adjustments can benefit a facility by making it run more resource-efficiently.
Many audits such as energy and waste audits form parts of the facility audit that make organisations environmentally responsible. Reducing energy and waste and using sustainable materials are more than environmental friendly practices; they can also positively change the public and potential customers' perception of a company.
Facility audits are typically carried out by qualified professionals in conducting assessments and inspecting buildings. Categories of these professionals include those hired by audit firms, facility management companies, or other establishments dealing with aspects of facility management. Although it may vary with the nature of the particular audit and the facility being audited, the general process involves these steps:
Prior to an audit, the audit team will liaise with the organization to define the audit scope, which would involve establishing which areas of the facility would comprise the audit, the objectives relevant to the audit, and the timeframe for completion e.g. assessment of how energy is used (energy audit) or the condition of the physical structure of the building (building condition audit).
Once the scope is defined, the audit team will conduct a site visit. This visits typically include an exhaustive tour of the facility wherein the auditors inspect the various systems, components and operations based upon the audit type. For instance, in the case of condition audit building inspectors will have to scrutinize the roof, walls, plumbing and electrical systems. An energy audit would focus on reviewing HVAC systems, insulation along with lighting.
As we have learned in this course, facility audits are essential to improve building safety performance and sustainability, which help to identify problems early to improve operations and ensure compliance.Regular auditing can save costs, increase longevity, and ensure safety for all individuals. British Academy for Training and Development facility offers an audit course so enroll now and achieve your goal.