Building Compliance & FM Topics
Plain-English explainers on the standards, regulations, and concepts that building, FM, and estates teams deal with every day — from SFG20 and ACoP L8 to Part L, EPCs, EICRs, and F-Gas.
Compliance & Regulations
Statutory duties and the standards that underpin building compliance.
Statutory Compliance for Buildings Explained
Statutory compliance for buildings explained: the duties for fire, gas, electrical, water and lifts, who is responsible, and how to evidence it.
The Golden Thread of Building Information Explained
The golden thread explained: what it means under the Building Safety Act, which buildings it applies to, what information it covers, and how to maintain it.
What is an EICR?
EICR explained: what an Electrical Installation Condition Report is, how often fixed wiring must be inspected, what the C1–C3 codes mean, and who needs one.
F-Gas Regulations Explained
F-Gas regulations explained: leak check frequencies by CO₂e charge, record-keeping duties, engineer certification and the HFC phase-down, for GB and NI.
LOLER Explained: Thorough Examination of Lifting Equipment
LOLER explained: what a thorough examination is, the 6 and 12 month rules for lifts, who counts as a competent person, and what the report must record.
PUWER Explained: The Work Equipment Regulations
PUWER explained: what counts as work equipment, the suitability and maintenance duties, inspection requirements, and how PUWER differs from LOLER.
PSSR Explained: Pressure Systems and the Written Scheme
PSSR explained: which pressure systems are covered, what a written scheme of examination must contain, who draws it up, and the duty holder's obligations.
The Asbestos Duty to Manage Explained
The asbestos duty to manage explained: who holds it, management vs refurbishment surveys, what the register and management plan must contain, and review.
Gas Safety Explained: Certificates, CP12 and Gas Safe
Gas safety explained for FM: who must be Gas Safe registered, what a CP12 landlord record covers, commercial plant obligations, and the records to keep.
The Building Safety Act Explained
The Building Safety Act explained: what makes a building higher-risk, the Accountable Person and Principal Accountable Person roles, and the safety case report.
HTM Explained: Health Technical Memoranda
HTM explained: what Health Technical Memoranda are, the key series for estates teams, the authorising engineer regime, and how HTM relates to SFG20.
Fire Safety
Fire safety inspections, testing, and the regulations behind them.
Fire Damper Drop Testing Explained
Fire damper drop testing explained: what it is, why it's required, how often dampers must be tested under BS 9999, and what records you need to keep.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?
Fire risk assessment explained: what an FRA is, who must have one, what it covers, how often to review it, and the records you need under fire safety law.
Fire Door Inspection Requirements Explained
Fire door inspection explained: what to check, how often fire doors must be inspected under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and record-keeping.
BS 9999 Explained: Fire Safety in Design and Management
BS 9999 explained: what the fire safety code of practice covers, how the risk-profile approach works, and how it relates to Approved Document B and the RRO.
BS 5839 Explained: Fire Alarm Categories and Testing
BS 5839 explained: the L and P system categories, weekly testing and periodic servicing requirements, false alarm management, and what records to keep.
BS 5266 Explained: Emergency Lighting Requirements
BS 5266 explained: the monthly function test and annual 3-hour duration test, where emergency lighting is required, duration ratings, and record keeping.
Water Hygiene
Legionella control and water safety in building water systems.
Legionella Control & ACoP L8 Explained
Legionella control explained: what ACoP L8 and HSG274 require, who is responsible, the key control measures, and the monitoring records you must keep.
Water Hygiene Monitoring Explained
Water hygiene monitoring explained: the temperature checks, flushing, tank inspections and sampling that keep building water systems compliant.
Energy & Carbon
Energy efficiency regulations, certificates, and inspections.
Part L Building Regulations Explained
Part L explained: what the fuel and power conservation regulations cover, how they apply to new and existing buildings, and what FM teams must know.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) Explained
EPCs explained: what an Energy Performance Certificate is, when one is required, what the A–G rating means, MEES minimum standards, and how long an EPC lasts.
TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections Explained
TM44 air conditioning inspections explained: the legal requirement for AC systems over 12kW, what the inspection covers, how often it's needed, and the report.
MEES Explained: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
MEES explained: the current EPC E minimum for let non-domestic property, the 2031 EPC B proposal for buildings over 1,000 m², exemptions and enforcement.
Maintenance & FM
Core FM concepts — maintenance standards, systems, and documentation.
SFG20 Explained: The Standard for Building Maintenance
SFG20 explained: what the industry-standard maintenance specification is, who publishes it, what the colour-coded tasks mean, and how FM teams use it.
Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) Explained
Planned preventive maintenance (PPM) explained: what it is, how it differs from reactive maintenance, what a PPM schedule includes, and why it matters for FM.
What is an O&M Manual?
O&M manuals explained: what an operation and maintenance manual is, what it contains, who needs it, and how to keep it usable rather than a forgotten PDF pack.
What is a CAFM System?
CAFM explained: what computer-aided facilities management software does, what it's used for, how it relates to PPM and O&M data, and its limits.
What is a BMS (Building Management System)?
Building management systems (BMS) explained: what a BMS is, what it controls, how it works, the difference from BEMS/SCADA, and why maintenance matters.
What is Facilities Management?
Facilities management explained: what FM is, hard vs soft FM, what facilities managers do, and how it keeps buildings safe, compliant, and efficient.
AHU Cleaning Explained
What AHU cleaning involves — filters, coils, condensate trays and fans — how often to do it, and the TR19 Air and BS EN 15780 hygiene standards.
Soft Landings Explained: Better Handover and Aftercare
Soft Landings explained: the BSRIA framework stages, aftercare periods, how BS 8536 relates, and what it means for handover documentation and FM teams.
O&M Manual Contents: What Should Be Included
What an O&M manual should contain, section by section: system descriptions, asset data, drawings, commissioning records, certificates, and warranties.
CIBSE TM31 Explained: The Building Log Book
CIBSE TM31 explained: what a building log book is, what it must contain, how it differs from the O&M manual, and its Building Regulations connection.
Building Handover Documentation Explained
Building handover documentation explained: what should be delivered, BS 8536 and BS 8587, acceptance criteria, and how to avoid inheriting an unusable pack.
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