Title: Reading
Course: GFM 101 Fundamentals of Green Facilities Management > Section: GFM 101 Fundamentals of Green Facilities Management

Reading

(1/2)
From Cradle to Cradle

Please click on the links as they are part of the reading assignment.

"Operations and maintenance" (O&M) includes all aspects of running a building over the course of its useful life. Because of the far-reaching nature of O&M, a well-designed and properly executed program is critical to the overall success of a "sustainably-designed" facility.

Such a program should:

- Set demanding performance goals on both a daily and ongoing basis.
- Measure performance so that the building can be benchmarked against other buildings.
- Adjust to changing occupant needs by modifying the HVAC, lighting, electrical, telecommunications, safety, housekeeping, and building automation control systems, as needed.
- Repair, upgrade, and re-commission building systems to ensure that they are working to meet current needs.
- Extend the useful service life of materials and equipment.
- Prevent disruptive failures in the building and its systems.
- Promote greater productivity.

Buildings have extensive direct and indirect impacts on the environment. During their construction, occupancy, renovation, repurposing, and demolition, buildings use energy, water, and raw materials, generate waste, and emit potentially harmful atmospheric emissions. These facts have prompted the creation of green building standards, certifications, and rating systems aimed at mitigating the impact of buildings on the natural environment through sustainable design.

Whole Building Design Guide

Click here to go to Sustainable O&M Practices section.
Click here to go to Importance of Involving Key Support Staff in Facility Design through Commissioning and Turnover section.
Click here to go to Evaluating and Selecting Green Products section.
Click here to go to Green Building Standards and Certification Systems section.