The CIOB launches facilities management contract

Keywords Chartered Institute of Building, Facilities management

Over the past six years, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has developed an acute awareness of the professional needs of those who are employed and practice in the facilities management industry. In acknowledging these critical requirements, the CIOB has developed a number of initiatives which both recognise and promote the skills of the professional facilities manager.

FM Society

The FM Society has been established within the CIOB; it recognises the role of the facilities manager and promotes the science and practice of facilities management. The FM Society also provides CPD courses, network support and a newsletter.

FM education

For the past five years the CIOB has examined on the subject of facilities management. The facilities management professional option forms part of the CIOB education framework, and leads to full corporate membership of the CIOB.

FM handbook

The CIOB FM Handbook provides practical and professional guidance for those who work and practise in the facilities management sector.

FM contract

The CIOB has become aware of the vast array of bespoke, tailor-made FM contracts which are prevalent in the facilities management industry. Many of these contracts are often based on models from other industries, and suffer from a lack of focus on FM contractual issues.

As part of our ongoing strategy, the CIOB in partnership with Cameron McKenna, have published the first standard form of facilities management contract. The new CIOB contract can be used for all categories of private and public sector works, where facilities are provided or managed, by the service provider or facilities manager.

The new CIOB contract is especially suitable for "soft" FM services,including general building maintenance, catering, cleaning, administration,security, etc. It may also be used for the provision of more complex FM services.

The new CIOB contract is compliant with all current legislation and deals with TUPE, the Construction Act and fair payment provisions. The contract allows the parties to agree the services to be provided and the specification to be met.

Alan Park, chair of the FM Society and Committee, and speaker at the launch of the new CIOB Contract at FM EXPO '99 - Olympia, explained that:

The definitions contained within the contract help to clarify many points which have always been a bone of contention for those involved in facilities management. The new CIOB contract is a fair contract which is well balanced, clearly drafted and provides a win/win situation for the client and service provider.

Also speaking at the launch Marc Hanson of Cameron McKenna said:

We hope that the new contract will be widely used in the FM industry and that it will act as a benchmark against which any non-standard contract can be judged.

At the launch there was considerable interest shown towards the new contract,and sales have far exceeded the CIOB's expectations.

Copies of the new CIOB contract for facilities management are available from CIOB Books direct. Tel: +44 (0)1344 630811, quoting reference no. 2447.

For further information, please contact: Director of Communications CIOB. Tel: +44 (0)1344 630772; E-mail: mwills@ciob.org.uk