Everything About Facility Condition Assessment (FCA)

Buildings age, and they don’t always do so gracefully. In the U.S., the average age of buildings has crept up to 53 years, and that’s where facility condition assessments (FCAs) come in as the unsung heroes, ensuring buildings are receiving the proper maintenance by assessing their needs. Whether your building is ancient or brand new, FCAs offer a clear picture of where your assets stand in their useful life, and this insight is invaluable for making smart decisions to keep your building in shape. In this article, we’ll dive into what FCAs are all about.

What is Facility Condition Assessment (FCA)?

Imagine it as a thorough checkup for your building. A facility condition assessment (FCA) involves taking a close look at your building’s physical state and how well it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. It’s all about collecting data, analyzing the findings, and then presenting the results. This information can help with everything from ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities to managing energy use and sustainability.

What is the Facility Condition Index (FCI)?

The facility condition index (FCI) is like a report card for your building’s overall health. It’s calculated by comparing the total cost of replacing all the systems and parts in your building to the building’s current market value. The formula to calculate FCI is as follows:

FCI = (Total Replacement Value / Total Value) * 100

A higher percentage is good news, indicating your building’s in better shape, while a lower percentage means it needs more TLC.

Goals of a Facility Condition Assessment

So, what’s the big goal of an FCA? Well, it’s like giving your building a physical exam. You want to find out what’s in good shape and what needs attention. Specifically, an FCA aims to:

• Pinpoint issues with the physical condition and function of your building and its parts.
• Help define the maintenance your building needs, whether it’s routine, preventive, or more extensive.
• Provide metrics to gauge performance, like the facility condition index (FCI) and facilities quality index (FQI).
• Identify projects for renovating, replacing, or upgrading parts of your building.
• Tackle problems that could damage property or create safety hazards.
• Uncover ways to save energy and make your building more sustainable.
• Take stock of accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Estimate the costs and schedules needed for repairs, renewals, replacements, and renovations.

Who Benefits from Facility Condition Assessment?

The information gathered during an FCA is pretty handy for a bunch of folks:

1. Senior Campus Administrators: It helps them set priorities and manage budgets.
2. Governing Boards: They use it to plan capital projects and maintenance funding.
3. Facilities Managers: It’s their guide for day-to-day maintenance and major projects.
4. Team Specialists: Architects, engineers, and others use FCA data for their specific areas of expertise.

What to Inspect During FCA?

FCAs involve a deep dive into your building’s nooks and crannies. Specialists, like architects, engineers, or skilled trade techs, look at:

• The condition of everything from roofing to plumbing.
• How long each part is expected to last.
• Costs and schedules for repairs.
• Any code violations or compliance issues.
• What repairs are most urgent?

6 Steps for a Successful Facility Condition Assessment

Doing an FCA is a step-by-step process:

1. Planning and Preparation: Decide what you want to assess and create a checklist.
2. Visual Inspection: Look at every nook and cranny, inside and out.
3. Review Documentation: Dig into maintenance records and equipment manuals.
4. Assess Systems and Components: Check out everything from HVAC to electrical.
5. Data Analysis and Reporting: Crunch the numbers and create a report.
6. Follow-Up and Action: Share findings, make a plan, and get to work.

Facility Condition Assessment Checklist

Here’s an FCA checklist:

• Create a comprehensive list of all systems and assets in your facility.
• Document the location of each asset in your facility management software.
• Record the current age of each piece of equipment.
• Note the expected useful life for each piece of equipment.
• Identify assets approaching or exceeding their expected operational life.
• Record condition-related, operational-related, and code-related issues.
• List functional concerns.
• Identify remedial actions and prioritize problems by severity.
• Estimate costs for fixes and equipment upgrades.
• Recommend projects for addressing issues and upgrades.

Examples of FCAs in Action

FCAs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how they’re used in different settings:

1. Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges assess classrooms, labs, and more.
2. Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals check patient rooms, equipment, and safety systems.
3. Commercial Buildings: Offices and malls evaluate common areas and systems.

How Does Using a CMMS Help FCAs?

Managing FCAs can be tricky, but NEXGEN can make it much easier. It keeps track of maintenance tasks, alerts you when repairs are needed, and helps you stay on budget. Plus, it’s all about data, and that’s key for making smart, informed maintenance decisions.

Boost Your FCA with NEXGEN

Many organizations are embracing data-driven approaches and integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) into FCAs. CMMS software helps track maintenance, schedule repairs, and manage asset data, offering valuable insights for FCAs. Sustainability and energy efficiency are also gaining attention, with organizations assessing environmental impact and energy-saving opportunities.

NEXGEN offers advanced CMMS capabilities that lend themselves to effective facility management by enhancing the FCA process and enabling data-driven decisions. It’s your tool to deliver high-performing buildings and assets now and in the future.

Ready to optimize your facilities assessment? Click the button below for a demo.

FAQs

Why is Facility Condition Assessment Important?

A Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) serves as a crucial tool for operational decision-making. It provides evidence-based estimates of reinvestment costs, empowering decision-makers to choose between restoring, replacing, or maintaining assets. Additionally, FCAs leverage data and reports to prioritize projects for maintenance, repair, or renewal. In essence, FCAs offer a clear and objective snapshot of your buildings’ and assets’ physical health.

Facility Condition vs Property Condition Assessment: What’s the Difference?

A Property Condition Assessment primarily comes into play when you’re considering selling a property. It offers an in-depth evaluation of the building’s current condition and its contents at a specific moment in time. On the other hand, a Facility Condition Assessment takes a forward-looking approach. Its primary purpose is to assist in understanding a building’s long-term requirements.

How Frequently Should You Conduct an FCA?

The optimal frequency of a facilities condition assessments depends on various factors, including the type of facility, its age, usage intensity, and budget limitations. However, as a general guideline, it’s recommended to perform an FCA at least once every three to five years. This periodic assessment helps in staying on top of maintenance needs and ensuring the longevity of your facilities.