Municipal challenges in managing a building with noted health symptoms

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to present property management challenges that municipalities have encountered regarding a public building with noted building-related symptoms. The study goes on to provide reasons for the failure of attempts to manage the symptoms and discusses the current challenges concerning the process. Design/methodology/approach A participatory case study was used as the research methodology to identify the current challenges concerning a municipal approach to managing the building-related symptoms in a case-study building. The researchers scrutinised the history of the health symptom management process and attended the project planning meetings focused on the investigation of the condition of the building. Findings Multiple challenges concerning maintenance and omitted or postponed repair actions, as well as vagueness in the management process were found. In addition to this, it was noted that the complexity of the initial design of the building and vandalism have resulted in challenges for the maintenance and moisture performance of the building structures. According to the study, more orderliness and a more systematic process is needed when managing a municipal property. Practical implications The identified property management challenges may be of practical value for the facility managers and the property owners, especially when managing the building-related symptoms and a damaged building. Originality/value This study highlights the importance of having an in-depth understanding of condition assessments as well as proper maintenance and timely repairs for the successful management of the building-related symptoms in a municipal building. This is a pilot project in a larger project of management of building refurbishment.

Determining ventilation strategies to relieve health symptoms among school occupants

“…Also, mechanical ventilation units may be demanding to place in existing rooms and intense air flow may transfer impurities into indoor air from structures (Vornanen-Winqvist et al, 2018a, 2018b. Moreover, the budget appears to limit the alternatives for ventilation strategy redesign as previous studies have stated municipalities to delay refurbishment actions because of lack of allocation (Uotila et al, 2019). Wargocki and Wyon (2013) have also recognized the and for ensuring the functionality of the system, it might be worthwhile to isolate the rooms with exhaust ventilation or not to use the mechanical ventilation at all Health effects/ Risks High ventilation rates could lower the levels of CO 2 ; the thermal environment and humidity level could be improved by adjusting the ventilation system; and the risk of pollution entering from structures due to the air pressure changes Window ventilation is still needed, and it could improve indoor air quality but lower the room temperature unpleasantly during winter, cause draught and reduce energy efficiency; Thermal discomfort will remain: overheating in summer and overcooling in winter; and The potential health symptoms caused by negative air pressure may remain F 41,15/16 challenge of inadequate financial resources for the maintenance and refurbishment and have suggested to use hybrid ventilation systems and the installation of energy recovery and aircleaning technologies for improving classroom IEQ.…”

Navigating the logics of changing public facilities management

“…PFMOs seem to have a hard time to realize a more “strategic facilities management” (Hopland, 2016; Uotila et al , 2020) despite good efforts, and despite scattered approval for such initiatives. In PublicPrem, this change was represented by a project (i.e.…”

“…Today, a vast majority of the public building stock worldwide is outdated and in need of renovation or even demolition (Uotila et al , 2019) as a result of insufficient maintenance (Hopland, 2016). The renovation and management of the public building stock is taking place amidst multiple and sometimes competing demands for efficient, financially sound, and at the same time, sustainable operations (Hill et al , 2013) variously distributed across field, organizational and project levels (Gluch and Svensson, 2018) and strained between short-term and long-term perspectives and priorities (Barett, 2000; Hill et al , 2013; Higham et al , 2015).…”

Decision-making when organising facilities for a school: a participatory action research approach

“…There is natural ventilation in most of the classrooms, and the rooms are perceived as stuffy, while the temperature during winter is too cold and during summer is too hot. The condition of the buildings as well as the executed condition assessments and refurbishment actions executed are presented more widely in a previous study (Uotila et al , 2019).…”