Efficient facilities management is crucial to businesses of all sizes and in every sector. Proper FM services optimise available resources, minimise operational risk and enhance the occupant’s experience. Businesses can therefore focus on their core activities while their physical assets are managed efficiently. It is important 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 purpose of Facilities Management (FM) is to organise people, places and processes to ensure that a building is clean, safe and operating efficiently. Companies that manage large property portfolios such as office complexes, schools, hospitals, warehouses or high-rise commercial properties will typically want to centralise the services they receive by using one supplier.
FM companies oversee a wide range of responsibilities from managing infrastructure to people-oriented services, so it makes sense that FM providers typically focus on either hard FM services or soft facilities management services.
Understanding Hard Facilities Management
Hard facilities management companies (hard FM) concentrate on addressing issues related to structural maintenance. This includes any aspect that could impact a building’s compliance requirements. Plumbing, wiring, electricity, fire safety, heating or cooling systems will be managed 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 Facilities Management requirements will vary from sector to sector. Hard Facilities Management companies customise their services to suit each building’s unique specifications, needs and 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 staff and building services that contribute to the well-being of occupants within a building, rather than its structural integrity. 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-oriented aspects of facilities management, it encompasses a wide range of services such as cleaning, catering, consumable products, building security, reception services, waste management, pest control, office decorating or landscaping.
GCC Facilities Management is the UK’s most 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 in improving 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.
- Employees can carry out their responsibilities safely and without hindrance when their environment is clean and free from clutter.
- A clean, decluttered environment reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
- Regular steam cleaning of carpets and furniture can reduce the presence of dust, dirt and other irritants.
- A well-organised, neat and clean office space will leave customers with a positive impression of your business.
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 include modules on COSHH, Health and Safety, correct use of RAMS, NHS colour-coded cleaning techniques and environmental standards.
With over 50 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.
Do they follow a safe system of work?
Yes! GCC has developed a sophisticated Safe System of Work including Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), using GCC’s four own brand chemicals, supported by onsite Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) data sheets, all deployed through 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.