Integrated Logistic Support Analysis for Building Services Systems
Start Date: Oct 00
End Date: Apr 04
Project Status: Complete
Recurring problems
Building services systems are designed in a very imprecise way and yet they require continuing management if they are to remain efficient and effective in operation. Recurring problems include a tendency for current building design practice to take little account of interdisciplinary working (Austin et al 1999). Low capital cost solutions continue to be widely preferred to those based on life-cycle cost analysis (El Haram and Horner, 1998) and a low commitment to performance monitoring and planned maintenance (Horner et al 1997). There is an urgent need both for improved understanding of user and client requirements and for better predictive techniques for design and assessment. In contrast to construction, the aerospace and defence industries have developed Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) to ensure performance availability is met through supportability being in place from the commissioning phase onwards. It is contended that the application of ILS to building services systems has significant potential to reduce operational costs in the construction sector.
Through-life business model
The aim of the research is to develop a through life business model (TLBM) for the building services sector, with an ILS overlay to encompass the requirement for whole life support.
Research objectives
- To integrate risk analysis and management into the design and operational aspects of building services systems;
- To develop a logistic support analysis database;
- To use failure mode, effects and criticality analysis in design;
- To develop operational and maintenance simulation and prediction procedures;
- To use life cycle costing techniques;
- To develop a level of repair analysis;
- To publish ILS guidelines for building service
Understanding context
The research requires a parallel understanding of the design, construction and operation processes in the defence and construction industries. It also depends upon an understanding of the context for which the procurement contract would be suitable within the ILS framework for building services. Equally relevant is the long-term commercial and economic viability of contractors, sub-contractors and facilities management firms who might be involved with implementing the ILS framework.