FM accounts for 70% of LEEDs ratings says expert

FM services help Mirdif City Centre's green credentials.

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Facilities management contributes to 73% of Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) points, an industry expert has said.

Speaking at the Healthcare Facilities Management conference 2010, Tecom Investments director of sustainable energy and environment vision Sougata Nandi stressed that a green building is created by operation and maintenance, not master-plans.

“Just because a building is designed as a high performance building does not make it green, you have to think about the long-term,” he said.

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According to Nandi, 14 points are available under the water efficiency category of the LEED rating system and good facilities management contributes to 100% of these points.

In terms of energy and atmosphere, FM can help clients gain 29 out of a possible 35 points and nine out of 10 points for energy-efficient materials and resources.

Nandi added that facilities management must be implemented at the design stage of a project in order to extend the lifecycle of a building.

“If a building is designed without windows, it might look good but fresh air will never enter the rooms inside,” he said.

“If you are not implementing FM at design stage they you are committing suicide.”

TECOM Investments has completed three LEED certified buildings in the UAE including the Silver rated Omnicom Media Group head-office and Dubai International Academic City Phase 3, and the management offices for TECOM, which was certified Platinum, the ultimate LEED rating.