Efficient facilities management is crucial to businesses of all sizes and in every sector to optimize available resources, minimize operational risk and enhance the occupant’s experience.
Businesses can focus on their core activities while their physical assets are managed efficiently. It is beneficial to understand what is meant by facilities management and the difference between hard and soft facilities management so that you find the right supplier for your business.
Introduction to Facilities Management
The sole purpose of Facilities Management (FM) is to integrate people, place and process, to ensure that a building is clean, safe and operating efficient. Facilities Management companies typically manage large properties such as office complexes, schools, hospitals, warehouses or high-rise commercial properties that require a professional service.
FM companies oversee a wide range of responsibilities from managing infrastructure to people-orientated services, so it makes sense that FM providers typically focus on either hard FM services or soft FM services.
Understanding Hard Facilities Management
Hard facilities management companies (hard FM) concentrate on addressing issues related to general maintenance. This includes any aspect that could impact a building’s compliance requirements. Plumbing, wiring, electricity, fire safety, heating or cooling systems will be attended to by hard FM professionals, to meet the legal requirements set out in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
Each building is unique and therefore the FM requirements will vary from sector to sector. In line with the unique specifications of a building, hard FM services will be customised to suit the needs of a building and its purpose. Ultimately, the FM supplier needs to ensure the structural integrity of a building, and the safety of its occupants.
Understanding Soft Facilities Management
Unlike hard FM which deals with tangible assets, soft facilities management (soft FM) refers to the management of non-physical and often intangible services that contribute to the well-being of occupants within a building. Soft FM focuses on the service-oriented aspects of facility management by creating a cleaner, healthier, more pleasant and safer environment, to enhance the comfort and security of individuals.
Since the core focus of soft FM service providers is on the human and service orientated aspects of facilities management, it encompasses a wide range of services such as cleaning, catering, building security, reception services, waste management, pest control, office decorating or landscaping.
GCC Facilities Management is the UK’s more reliable soft FM company offering not only regular contract commercial cleaning but also other specialist services such as high level & ATEX compliant cleaning to the manufacturing and warehouse industry. Other value add services include emergency and reactive cleans, steam, carpet and upholstery cleaning, body spill clean-ups and needle sweeps.
At GCC we understand that soft FM professionals play a vital role to improve occupant comfort, satisfaction and productivity by delivering high quality services tailored to occupants’ needs and preferences.
The Importance of Soft FM
Soft facilities management plays a critical role in the core objectives of businesses. Soft FM contributes to an environment that is beneficial to the wellbeing and safety of employees and visitors.
- A well organised, neat and clean office space will leave customers with a positive impression of your business.
- Employees can carry out their responsibilities safely and without hindrance when their environment is clean and free from clutter.
- Clutter will increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
- Regular steam cleaning carpets and furniture can reduce the presence of dust and other irritants.
The GCC difference
No one wants to work in an environment that is unsafe, cluttered, dirty, too hot or too cold. GCC understands the importance of providing cleaning and specialist FM services that meet both the needs of the employees and your customers’ expectations.
All our cleaning technicians are trained to British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) specifications which includes modules on COSHH, Health and Safety, correct use of RAMS, NHS colour coded cleaning techniques and environmental standards.
With over 49 years’ experience, we provide exclusive soft FM services to a variety of sectors such as commercial offices, manufacturing, warehouse, retail, automotive dealerships and healthcare (CQC, HIS and HIW compliant). GCC offers a bespoke service, tailored to your needs and required frequency to meet your soft FM requirements. Contact us to get your free quote.
Do they follow a safe system of work?
Yes! GCC has a developed a sophisticated Safe System of Work including Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), using GCC’s four own brand chemicals, support by onsite Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) data sheets, all deployed though company-wide training.
Can they provide specialist cleaning to suit your industry?
Yes!! GCC delivers specialist cleaning to a range of industries including work in ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU explosive atmospheres and support for CQC Regulation 15 compliance with Safe Systems of Work and supporting, auditable paper trails including daily tick sheets.