Two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the HEFMA (Higher Education FM Association) conference in Richards Bay, which was hosted by Okkie Lombaard and his colleagues from the University of Zululand. The HEFMA conference is always a pleasant affair, well organised and with good content. The attendees are a particularly pleasant bunch and the international contingent always succeeds in widening the perspective. The overseas guests represented the international partners of HEFMA namely AUDE (UK), APPA (US) and TEFMA (Australia) as well as the University of the West Indies.
The paper I delivered was on recent developments with regard to FM standards. I serve on the local Technical Committee (ISO TC267) for the development of FM standards. Some twenty nations are participating members of this ISO endeavour and ISO TC267 has already done some sterling work. I was privileged to share with HEFMA the progress made thus far concerning a much needed clutch of FM standards. These FM standards will be known as the 41000 series and in essence the TC has already adopted two draft standards, which will be published in the not too distant future, while a third standard is still in the working group phase.
The first of the new FM standards deals with fundamentals, terms and definitions and serves to clarify many years of debate about the field of FM. As a lecturer in the field it is very helpful to be able to refer to one globally agreed position regarding FM.
The second standard deals with strategic sourcing of FM services and development of service level agreements. The process flow diagram contained in this standard has real practical value and as far as I am concerned the publication of the standard cannot come soon enough.
The third standard is focused on a FM integrated management system. While still in the committee stages within the larger ISO machinery, the SA-based TC decided to fast track its work and already produced a draft standard in July of this year. The fast tracking decision was taken in view of the nature of the SA FM industry and the perceived value of such a management system standard for raising the bar in the local FM industry.
The following diagram was shared with HEFMA as it encapsulates the key elements of the management system as developed and adopted by the local TC. ( Facilities Management — Integrated Management System (ISO/NP4100) — Requirements [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][with Guidance for Use].
While the local TC is part of the larger ISO family, the fast tracked management system standard will be published as a SANS standard before the end of 2015. HEFMA members were encouraged to:
- take note of the three draft standards as these will have a profound impact throughout the global FM industry
- comment on the draft SABS standard; FM – Integrated Management System, and
- commence the institutional debate on certification and implementation as an association as well as constituent member institutions.
The draft management system can be obtained from the SABS via Vuyo Dokoza (vuyo.dokoza@sabs.co.za).
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