Facilities management

Facilities management offers opportunities for adaptation via operational changes, modified maintenance regimes and modest physical changes. Typically, assuming that there are no extreme vulnerabilities to current risks (as identified by way of an LCLIP, for instance), these may be the most cost-effective means of minimising climate risks in the short term, say over the next 5 to 10 years.

The two most significant risks to premises are likely to be from flooding and overheating. The extent of these risks will be related to:

• The geographical location of your authority
• The location of the site; and
• site-specific conditions

A facilities management approach to these could include:

Flooding:

• Ensuring regular maintenance and clearing of gutters, drains, culverts, etc.
• Auditing of present capacity of rainwater systems (if this reveals major problems in may be necessary to consider more major retrofitting options).
• Reviewing of the extent of impermeable surfaces and consideration of modest measures to mitigate flood risks from surface runoff - any significant problems may need more major retrofitting options.
• Reviewing of the vulnerabilities of electrical systems - relatively small scale responses to any risks identified, such as the relocation of junctions, switches and outlets above likely flooding levels, may be possible within existing maintenance regimes and budgets. More major responses may require additional resource allocations.
• Ensuring that any vital or valuable goods and equipment are relocated away from any areas of potential flood risks.
• Provision of sand bags and other modest flood defence measures.
• Consideration of changes of use for any areas vulnerable to flooding to minimise impacts.
• Contingency plans to ensure business continuity in the event of flooding

Overheating:

• Fitting of blinds to south facing windows
• Fitting of cost-effective external shading or shutters

Changes to the operation of premises to minimise overheating such as:

• Use of night time ventilation to cool premises when external temperatures are lower than internal temperatures - this may require physical or operational changes to security arrangements.
• Closing of windows when external temperatures are higher than internal temperatures
• Switching off of all heat generating equipment when not in use
• Awareness raising and training of staff to implement operational changes.

Ensuring the ready availability of drinking water - avoiding need for bottled water

In order to avoid conflicts with mitigation objects the aim should be to minimise the use of air conditioning wherever possible.

Water stress and conservation

Changes to the extent and pattern of rainfall is likely to exacerbate problems of water stress, particularly in southern and eastern areas of the country where this is already an issue. Simple, low-cost measures to conserve water include:

• Fitting of low-flow taps and shower heads
• Use of cistern displacement devices, such as Hippos
• Repair of any dripping taps
• Changes to grounds watering regimes

Opportunities

• Warmer winters offer opportunities for energy and emissions savings from heating - need to ensure that operational procedures exploit any opportunities for energy saving
• Fewer snowfalls and frost days may require less gritting or salting of roads and pathways on council premises
• Warmer weather may offer opportunities to encourage modal shifts in staff travel to walking and cycling - need to consider provision of facilities such as showers, cycle sheds, etc. to exploit this opportunity.

Climate impacts on grounds maintenance are considered under xxxxx

Sources of advice

Adapting to climate change: a checklist for development
Case studies
Urban Design (Spring 2007, Issues 102)

Examples