O&M Services

What are Operation and Maintenance Manuals (O&M’s)?

They are operation and maintenance manuals for the building and any infrastructure within or associated with the building. This is not a legal requirement, but a contractual one. Therefore, each O&M manual/package may contain different information dependent on what the Client wants, the materials used in the building and the level of detail required. There is no legal structure for the O&M manuals. Within the O&M manuals you should expect to find information on testing and commissioning, warranties and manufacturers literature. It is the responsibility of the Principal Contractor to collate this information from the individual contractors involved in the project. The O&M manuals will then go back to the Client at the end of the project. 

Many Principal Contractors and Principal Designers often underestimate the time involved in getting these documents together, particularly if they have left it last minute in the project. Experience has taught us that the more planning has taken place, then the higher the quality and content of the O&M manuals. They shouldn’t be anything to be scared of, but support is available if you need it.

O&M Delivery

Safety For offer bespoke O&M packages to help you meet Client and contractual requirements. 

Our tailored service offers a structured and co-ordinated process for collation of the O&M’s in line with standard employers requirements, throughout the construction phase of the project, to the handover phase. 

This service includes;

  • Project specific structure design of the O&M format, utilising and adapting our standard format. 

  • Contractor O&M “best practice” workshops providing a thorough briefing to contributors 

  • Easy to use cloud-based data collection which can be readily accessed for contractor information 

  • Real time tracking of the O&M as it develops throughout the project, which can be distributed to key decision makers through auditable key performance indicators. 

  • Dedicated O&M co-ordinator who will oversee all delivery aspects of the service 

O&M Workshops 

Safety For offer on-line/e-learning workshops to help Contractors, Principal Contractors and Clients to understand, use and support the O&M process. We believe these are key when getting the most out of your O&M manuals now and in the future. 

We often hear about the confusion surrounding the O&M manuals by all duty holders. Our workshops are carried out via teams/zoom etc and are hosted by one of our dedicated O&M team. They are tailored to the needs of the Contractors, Clients etc. as well as the project being completed. These informal and interactive workshops help to build a good foundation to create good quality, specific O&M manuals to benefit all involved.  

FAQ’s

What are O&M Manuals and why do I need one?
O&M Manuals (Operations and Maintenance Manuals) are crucial documents that provide detailed information on a building's structure, fabric, and installed services. While not a legal requirement, they are a contractual necessity for a smooth project handover and are essential for a building's safe and efficient operation.

What should be included in an O&M Manual?
A comprehensive O&M Manual should include details on a building's construction, materials, services (such as heating, ventilation, and electrical systems), and manufacturer's information for installed equipment. It also contains critical health and safety data and maintenance schedules to ensure the building is operated and maintained correctly.

Who is responsible for providing the O&M Manual?
The duty to produce the O&M Manual typically falls to the Principal Contractor. At Safety For, we work directly with contractors and the design team to collate all necessary information, ensuring the manual is accurate, complete, and delivered on time.