FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
New technical guidance from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) emphasises the importance of allowing adequate spacing between building services in projects using traditional approaches, modern methods of construction (MMC) and design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA).
BESA Technical Bulletin (TB56/1.1) is the first in a series planned by the Association’s specialist Offsite Group and provides a snapshot of guidelines, principles, and rules of thumb to be considered as early as possible in the design process for the spatial fit of services.
It illustrates the importance of making sure the spatial provision of services, particularly key elements like ceiling void depths, distribution routes, access and maintenance zones are validated and accurate by the end of RIBA Stage 3 as the building form and fabric will be largely set by that point.
The free guidance explains how designers and engineers should ensure that pinch points and spatial consideration are a consideration for all “rooms, routes and risers” (the three R’s). It also gives project teams valuable rules of thumb for ensuring proper separation of services, spare capacity, and future service zones to allow for any potential changes during the lifetime of the building.
BESA Offsite Group chair Mark Snell commented: “This technical bulletin is a great example of the collaboration between BESA, the industry’s leading MMC and DfMA manufacturers, and delivery companies. It is encouraging that all the parties were keen to share their combined knowledge and experience with the wider industry.
“Spatial fit has long been an area of concern that, unless considered at the earliest stages, can lead to multiple problems down the line and restrict our ability to achieve co-ordination of works at RIBA stage 4 and beyond. It can also leave end clients with a potentially expensive problem if they want to make changes to the building in the future.”
The technical bulletin is free to download and refers to relevant industry guidance including BESA publications DW144 and TR19.
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