WHAT IS AN O&M MANUAL?
Operation and maintenance manuals [O&Ms] provide all the information required by end users for the operation, maintenance, decommissioning and demolition of a building. O&Ms, delivered collectively as part of the Building Manual, are a contractual requirement on HSE notifiable construction projects.
The format and content are defined in the Employers Information Requirements [EIRs] of the contact preliminaries documents; typically, under clause A37. The principal contractor has the responsibility to provide the Building Manual as part of a construction project, with additional information from subcontractors, designers and suppliers.
The standard content that should be provided
in an O&M manual:
- Details of building construction e.g., finishes, cladding, doors
- Requirements for demolition, decommissioning and disposal
- Asset register of plant and equipment
- Manufacturer’s instructions for efficient and proper operation
- Commissioning and testing results
- Guarantees, warranties and certificates
- As-built drawings and specifications
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING
A PROFESSIONAL O&M DOCUMENTATION SERVICE?
Reduce Administration,
Cost and Stress
Relieve site teams of the administrative burden and stress of collecting and collating handover documentation.
Reduce the delay related costs and the stress.
Increase
Compliance
Increase your compliance at handover. Reduces the level of complication at the end of the project and ensures an easier management of aftercare
Secure data storage
and reliability
Cloud-based technology with an easy user-friendly interface. 24/7 accessibility and visibility to track and review all documents in one place.
WHY OUTSOURCE YOUR O&Ms?
Contractors have the option to produce manuals in house but it is often an unwelcome distraction from the core task of construction. The perceived cost in outsourcing O&Ms to a specialist provider can be an initial deterrent, particularly if it’s not budgeted for it in the cost plan.
However, there are many advantages to working with a specialist provider;
- Remove the burden from site teams
- Eliminate stress at PC
- Quality and consistent delivery
- Reduced aftercare calls
- Ensure a realistic budget for O&Ms in cost plans
WHY EARLY ENGAGEMENT IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF O&MS?
- Cost for O&M budgeted and added from the beginning
- Chasing of trades and sub-contractors can be scheduled on time
- Agreed and standardised O&M submission format reduces the miscommunication and number of faults
- Significantly reduces the stress and pressure on site teams close to PC
- Eliminates the risk of missing or incomplete O&M submissions
WHAT IS THE LATEST PROJECT PHASE TO APPOINT AN O&M SPECIALIST?
The answer is not easy. It depends on the number of participants, size and duration of the project and its complication.
At OMSTEC, we can start working on projects not less than four months before the practical completion. After this point, it is a nearly impossible task to manage an entire supply chain in such a condensed time frame.
GET IN TOUCH
Give us a call, drop us an email or request
a call back for more information