UK
The recent release of the House of Commons’ Public Accounts Committee Report showed that urgent restoration work was needed at the Palace of Westminster. A lack of proper conservation and proactive maintenance on the building has meant that millions of pounds a week are being spent on patching up the palace and there is a risk that a catastrophic event will destroy the palace before it is ever restored. Although this may be unlikely, creating a digital 3D model, if they don’t have one already, should be a priority to benefit the restoration work.
Preventative vs Predictive Maintenance
Proactive maintenance is often seen in two forms, preventative and predictive. Both preventative and predictive maintenance are scheduled works, designed to optimise the life of an asset and reduce costs associated with breakage. Work can be planned more effectively than time-pressured reactive maintenance, and productivity is improved across the site as the workplace environment is more stable.
Under planned preventative maintenance (PPM) each asset will have its own PPM programme, informed by combining the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendation, local conditions that may affect the asset and cause it to perform differently, relevant legislative requirements and the asset’s history and performance data. Most cars, for example, operate under a PPM programme with oil, water and parts being renewed or changed after an appropriate number of miles. A CAFM system, like QFM, can reduce an FM’s planning time by scheduling the PPM for each asset and allocating work to operatives.
Predictive maintenance, or condition-based maintenance, uses data to determine the point when maintenance is necessary, minimising spare parts costs, system downtime and time spent on the work. This can be done through visual inspections but is more accurately completed through the use of a building management system (BMS) and sensors. Sensors can be placed next to any asset to monitor temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration frequency, and more. As these readings start to show deterioration or produce an abnormal result, then maintenance can be scheduled before any breakage occurs, resulting often in significant financial savings.
Safeguarding with a Digital Model
Establishing a digital model of the space makes it easier to collaborate and plan the restorative work as the model can be shared with relevant stakeholders. Any changes made to the space are automatically updated in the model, ensuring that future work is more efficient and cost-effective.
It also creates a blueprint should a catastrophic event occur, something that Notre Dame did not have after its fire in 2019, leaving restoration teams to piece plans together based on digital images. Witnessing this difficult task was an impetus for Sweden’s Nordiska Museet (Nordic Museum) to create their own 3D model. Kennet Blixt, Director of Properties for the Nordic Museum explains: “The catastrophic fire in Notre Dame highlighted how important it is to have building information updated and available”.
With the support of reality capture technology, SWG has developed the basis for a digital twin of the building, with a comprehensive level of detail. This comprises a complete 3D model with accurate interior and exterior measurements, in addition to relationship documents for remodelling and repairs. It ensures that this prestigious building, with its towers and pinnacles, sculptures and reliefs, spiers and high gables is documented digitally and can be preserved. Read more in our case study.
For more information about how QFM, Service Works Global’s facilities and asset management software can help improve proactive maintenance at your organisation, contact us for a chat or a demonstration.
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