How the Right Facilities Maintenance Partners Help Embassies Achieve Sustainable Objectives
Sustainable changes within the built environment are imperative in addressing climate change concerns. As representatives of their nations, embassies should lead by example by implementing a strategy for reduced waste, improved efficiencies, and the achievement of long-term green initiatives to reduce emissions.
According to the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health, diplomatic missions around the world are responsible for an estimated three million tonnes of CO2. It is generally accepted that the most sustainable embassies have specific common characteristics:
- Environmentally aware staff, who adjust their behaviour with environmental prerogatives in mind;
- Consumption is reduced by decreasing energy usage and preventing waste;
- Meaningful building management systems upgrades help even old buildings to achieve modern environmental standards;
- Equipment is evaluated and a succession plan is devised with efficiency in mind.
Green buildings have been seen to achieve 30% savings on water and electricity, 15% on maintenance costs, a reduction of carbon emissions by 35% and construction waste by 50 to 75%.
Sustainable objectives within embassies are gaining momentum and widespread ‘greening’ has taken place across many embassies in London in recent years in varying degrees – with great press generated around many of these initiatives.
QUICK READ: HOW FACILITIES MAINTENANCE ACHIEVES SUSTAINABLE AIMS IN EMBASSIES
One of the benefits of embassies working with a facilities maintenance provider like Voltix Services is the opportunity for sustainable changes to be identified and strategically mapped according to budget and priority.
Tailored Building Management Systems, Infrastructure, and Equipment Upgrades
Modern infrastructure is designed with efficiency in mind. In the case of ageing building management systems, infrastructure, and equipment – especially those in historical buildings – upgrades hold exciting potential for enhanced efficiency.
To make widespread upgrades immediately and at once is rarely feasible. Experienced and skilled facilities maintenance providers give insight into urgent and most effective changes to create a roadmap of attainable, sustainable, quantifiable change. Over time, they can advise on installing and implementing these changes.
With a finger on the pulse of evolving compliance and industry changes, FM professionals are best-placed to advise on easy gains and the best systems for sustainability over time.
As an example, on starting work with the Kuwait Embassy, when one lamp needed changing in a room, we upgraded the entire room to LED alternatives, which are more efficient and create a better working environment for embassy staff. We also identified and repaired water leaks before they could cause costly damage and addressed building management systems that had completely failed.
IoT Technology and Remote Monitoring
Digital transformation and IoT technology remotely monitor systems within the embassy, sending alerts in case of undesirable events. The power of reaction reduces waste of precious resources like water and energy, as well as the cost and resources required to conduct repairs.
These technologies can be retrofit to myriad processes throughout embassy buildings and residences – from smart meters and energy services to ventilation performance and other customisable metrics.
Well-Maintained Premises Run More Efficiently
Ageing equipment and infrastructure tends to run less efficiently. Maintenance is an investment in consistent efficiency. Professional facilities maintenance providers are experts in troubleshooting issues and performing reactive and preventative maintenance services to keep facilities working at their best. With IoT technology mentioned above, maintenance scheduling itself is now fine-tuned around actual run times for truly optimised maintenance – and reduced waste around maintenance services in embassies.
WORK WITH VOLTIX, THE PROBLEM-SOLVERS
The directly-employed team of engineers at Voltix Services and company structure is a perfect match for embassy facilities maintenance needs. Contact Voltix Services today for a reliable, secure, and comprehensive embassy facilities maintenance solution – tailored to the specific needs of your facilities.