It's no surprise that facilities account for 25 to 40 percent of an organization's assets — typically 10 percent of their budget. And, it's no surprise that operating budgets are getting slashed and budget requests are facing intense scrutiny. Which makes a facility manager's difficult job even harder. What separates the good managers from their less successful peers is their ability to manage facilities efficiently to reduce costs and increase profitability. And that's where SME can help.

We work with facility managers to develop programs for building maintenance and plant renewal, regulatory compliance, and changes in building use. Frequently, our facility team is an extension of our client's staff. We may address specific needs or provide turnkey program management to define facility needs, prioritize budgets, develop project specifications and bidding, perform contract administration, conduct quality control testing and observation, and do annual program updates.

Assessments may entail investigating and providing rehabilitation strategies for building and site components including the exterior building structure, interior building elements, site, pavements and grounds, mechanical and electrical systems, environmental compliance, and code compliance issues. For building property transactions, we often combine our environmental and property condition assessment capabilities for due diligence reviews.

SME has a fully equipped laboratory and state-of-the-art infrared (IR) thermographic equipment to identify heat and moisture anomalies in a variety of areas, including building envelopes, electrical and mechanical systems, roofs, and pavements. Our super sleuthing has saved owners thousands of hours and dollars.

Our Building Engineering Management System (BEMS) combines building engineering technology, facility management principles, and modeling and analysis procedures into a dynamic computer program that prioritizes and budgets your maintenance needs. We can also develop management programs and customized Microsoft® Access databases for specific facility components such as roofs and pavements.

If cracked terra cotta or leaking masonry is the problem, SME has a team of building materials specialists who diagnose building failures. Our specialists will help you identify the cause of the problem, assess performance, and develop rehabilitation and restoration strategies for specific building materials and systems such as concrete, building stone/masonry fascia, panel systems, metals, sealants, waterproofing, protective coatings, and structural steel.

Today, owners and facility managers are confronted with an increasing range of facilities issues and increasing competitive pressure. To get ahead, your building portfolio has to perform well. SME has the know-how to minimize the cost of ownership so your building — and your balance sheet — remain healthy.

For more information contact an SME office near you.
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