Due to the recent tightened circuit breaker measures, as well as other events in Singapore, a majority of facilities management (FM) companies’ manpower resources have been
affected.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Singapore International Facility Management Association (SIFMA) released a joint advisory on the adjustments to building maintenance for FM on 27 April 2020.
Recommendations:
1. Adopt an outcome-based performance approach instead of headcount-based contract provision: This method will serve as the basis, as headcount-based provisions are outdated. FM companies should also endeavour to maintain a smaller team of essential workers to carry out basic maintenance and emergency repair works.
2. Moderate service levels: Service buyers are encouraged to adjust their existing maintenance regime to reduce the amount of non-essential, routine maintenance work. Service buyers and FM companies are advised to renegotiate a reasonable response time and exercise understanding and restraint in imposing liquidated damages.
3. Anticipate transformation ahead: The pandemic has highlighted FM ecosystem’s over-reliance on labour and its insufficient investment in technology. BCA and SIFMA advised the industry to scale up its adoption of smart FM solutions to minimise reliance on manpower and increase the proportion of the local workforce.
“To cope with the tighter manpower arising from the elevated circuit breaker measures, service buyers and FM companies need to work together to ensure that our buildings are reasonably well maintained,” said BCA and SIFMA in the joint advisory statement.
– Construction+ Online
Source: Building and Construction Authority
