Description: One of the recurrent themes in facilities management is the failure of the design team to understand the needs of the building users. The end-user frequently feels aggrieved at the perceived lack of foresight applied by the design team. The operation and maintenance manuals provided are often neither practical nor useful. Examples of an impressive array of carefully indexed and titled "FM manuals" are often found collecting dust, with the construction record drawings becoming out of date as changes take place. There have been moves to bridge the gap between construction needs and end-user needs, with the introduction of the CDM Regulations, and various research initiatives. This has been primarily aimed at the construction industry rather than the building user.

CIRIA has produced this guide to the facilities management manual to focus on the needs of the building user. The framework presented brings a clear understanding of the capabilities of premises, performance limits, costs, servicing, maintenance and breakdown procedures, and the long-term management strategy. This guide provides facility managers and other property operators with an improved understanding of the information required to successfully operate and maintain their facilities. Clear and specific guidelines are provided for a standard structure and content for the facilities management manual, which can be regularly updated during the life of the facility. Templates are provided for data presentation, together with a sample manual and a model specification for preparing a manual.

Keywords: procurement, knowledge management, facilities management.

Contents: Part one - general, About this guide, Introduction to FM manuals, Who uses/owns and/or is responsible for the FM manual? Part two - an introduction and guidelines to the FM manual structure, Part three FM manual structure, Appendix 1 Compliation and development of FM manuals, Appendix 2 Completed example of an FM manual, Appendix 3 Specimen templates, Appendix four Model specification for the procurement of FM manuals