by Brianna Crandall — September 3, 2014—Facilities maintenance professionals who have experienced frustration at inadequate or unsafe access to plant and building services equipment may be encouraged by a new publication from the U.K.-based nonprofit building research and consultancy organization BSRIA (owned by The Building Services Research and Information Association) launched August 25.
Space, and the cost of providing space, for plant and building services distribution is at a premium, and designers often come under pressure to reduce the spatial requirements for building services installations, notes BSRIA. In order to discharge their obligations, designers must take considerable care to provide safe means of access for installation, maintenance and equipment replacement, the organization asserts.
The Safety in Building Services Design (BG 55/2014) guide is intended for use by designers. It provides guidance on designing for safety in the space planning of building services for both new-build and refurbishment projects, with respect to operation, maintenance and plant replacement.
As BSRIA explains, designers have an obligation to understand the likely installation and maintenance work required in the buildings they design. In addition, there needs to be an awareness of the legislative requirements that a design may impose on the installer and end user. A design solution can often impose additional legal responsibilities, particularly in undertaking associated operation and maintenance activities.
The guide includes information on:
- Hazards and risks
- Space requirements and access provision
- Maintenance
- Plant room design
- Communication
- Relevant legislation including the U.K.’s Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
The publication is now available in either PDF or hard-copy format, at a 20% discount, for £48 to non-members and £24 to BSRIA members. BSRIA members can download PDFs free of charge.
BSRIA is also launching a new one-day Safety in Building Services Design training course on November 12, 2014. This course provides an understanding of the relationship between building services design and maintenance operations and outlines relevant key legislation and guidance in the management and communication of risk. Delegates will get a free copy of the new guide.
