AEI Services
Facility Condition Assessments
AEI delivers detailed and comprehensive assessments with customizable reports enabling strategies for proactive planning regarding capital expenditures, life and safety issues, and maintenance.
Table of Contents
- What is a Facility Condition Assessment?
- What is the purpose of a Facility Condition Assessment?
- AEI’s Approach: What’s included in a Facility Condition Assessment?
- Other AEI Assessment and Services
What is a Facility Condition Assessment?
A Facility Condition Assessment, or FCA, is the process of using assessment and predictive analysis to understand the future operational expenses of the systems and equipment in your building(s) today in order to align them with your short- and long-term business objectives and plan toward those needs. Conducting regular FCAs helps to identify deferred maintenance and life and safety issues, prioritize repairs and replacements, and forecast future costs.
The typical Facility Condition Assessment includes at a minimum the following systems:
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- Infrastructure
- Surrounding grounds
- Building envelope
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
- Vertical transportation systems
- Interior finishes
- ADA requirements
What is the purpose of a Facility Condition Assessment?
Like any good investment, a building, facility, or property must be well-maintained and cared for to ensure its operational status, as well as its ongoing value. By proactively conducting routine and thorough Facility Condition Assessments, organizations can use the data gathered to make informed decisions that:
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- Document life/safety issues, and deteriorated/damaged site or building elements
- Schedule maintenance and repairs based on system criticality and cost
- Aid in long-term budgets and capital planning decisions
- Inform stakeholders on facility/portfolio priorities and requirements
- Track and manage assets
- Find opportunities for energy efficiency and sustainability
- Maximize the overall value and ROI of the facility
AEI's Approach: What's included in a Facility Condition Assessment?
At AEI, we offer comprehensive FCA services performed by a team of experienced environmental professionals, including architects, engineers, and system specialists. Our expertise in assessing the condition and remaining useful life of your property, as well as the clear recommended action step(s) we provide, enable owners and facility managers to provide a safe and functional facility to your occupants all while enhancing its long-term value. Our approach includes the following:
A Pre-Assessment Phase
The pre-assessment phase is an essential step in the process, wherein we gather all necessary documentation and information about the history and current condition of the property in order to accurately inform the process and lay the groundwork for a successful FCA project. Information collected during pre-assessment includes:
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- Building plans and drawings
- Maintenance records
- Occupancy records
- Previous assessment reports
- Unique features or attributes such as historic preservation requirements, local zoning laws, or the presence of hazardous materials
On-Site Visit
- Site and Surrounding Grounds
While evaluating the property’s exterior, the assessment team will look at outdoor infrastructure such as parking lots, pavement, sidewalks, landscaping, curbs, drainage, lighting, and any other exterior features.
- Building Envelope
This piece of the exterior evaluation examines the roof, walls, windows, and doors, looking for damage as well as potential leaks or other areas of concern.
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Systems
All MEP systems will be assessed to determine whether they are up to date and in good working order. This includes but is not limited to HVAC systems, electrical systems and wiring, and plumbing systems, including water supply and drainage.
- Elevators and Escalators
Vertical transportation systems will be assessed to ensure they are safe and functioning as they should be.
- Fire Detection, Notification, and Suppression Systems
All systems related to fire safety will be evaluated as a crucial component of ensuring the safety of occupants as well as complying with fire codes and regulations.
- Interior Finishes and Conditions
As the final piece of the assessment, our team will evaluate the interior, including flooring, ceilings, walls, and any other finishings that may impact the overall appearance and functionality of the property.
Analyzing the Data
After the site visit, our team will analyze the data collected to identify any potential issues. First, we categorize the data by systems (i.e., MEP systems, fire systems, interior condition). Next, a rating system, like the Facility Condition Index (FCI), is generated.
The FCI is an industry-standard metric that serves as a benchmark following a facility condition assessment. This metric is calculated by dividing the total cost of existing renewal or repair expenses by the total estimated replacement value.
An FCI rating of 0-5% indicates your property is in fair condition and needs few repairs. A rating of 5-10% indicates the property is in poor condition and needs significant repairs. Anything over 10% is considered to be in critical condition and in need of extensive repairs or replacements.
Finally, we analyze the data to identify specific needs or issues and, where applicable, identify the root cause, severity, and action needed to correct the problem.
Reporting
The final Facility Condition Assessment report provides a comprehensive overview that includes the property’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential issues. A summary of the results includes an item-by-item breakdown of the condition of each system or component as well as an explanation of the data analyzed and the FCI rating.
Recommendations and Strategic Planning
Our Team offers a list of recommended actions based on our findings as well as a strategic plan for prioritizing maintenance, repairs, and capital improvements over both the short-term and long-term.
Stay In Touch
Other Assessments and Service from AEI that You May be Interested in:
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- Deferred Maintenance and Capital Planning Studies and Reports
- Capital Reserve Analysis
- Building and Component System
- Remaining Useful Life Studies
- Baseline Property Condition Assessments
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- Limited Facility Condition Assessments
- Asset Bar Coding
- Pre-Lease Assessments, Lease Renewals and Lease Exit Strategies
- Dilapidation Assessments
- Building Envelope Assessments
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- Roof Assessments (Thermography, Inductance Testing, Roof coring, and Assembly Installation Oversight)
- Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) data collection and population
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- ADA Assessments
- Building Commissioning or Retro-commissioning Services
- Energy Audits and Building Sustainability
- Climate Risk & Resilience Consulting
If you are interested in Facility Condition Assessment services or have any questions, please reach out to speak with one of our professionals.
Matt Wasson
Vice President
Capital Planning Services