Nigerian FM Industry and Its Quest for Standardisation

It is the duty of any FM company to ensure that materials, products, processes and solutions are fit for their purpose within the client’s environment. This has been hinged on the fact that clients and users of various facilities do not expect poor services on soft and critical facilities. The failure to provide standardised solutions means a call for operational inefficiencies and ineffectiveness on the part of the client’s employees and poor image perception from the customers.

From recognition to standardisation, the facility management industry is facing a lot of challenges. In developed countries, public perception of the need of seeking FM services is huge. In developing countries such as Nigeria, stakeholders are struggling to let the people, businesses and governments understand the place of FM solutions in facilities performance and sustainability.

Whether in developed or developing countries, FM companies have huge responsibilities. Operation and maintenance of business assets must not be grounded. Their life cost and usability must be influenced by standardised FM processes, people, products and technologies.

Without FM companies, it would be practically impossible for businesses to fulfil their promises to the employees and users of their facilities. The possible impacts of the business activities on the environment are also crucial for FM companies. FM companies must inform businesses how the use of the soft and critical facilities affects the environment.

These have established reasons for the preaching of FM standards among the stakeholders across the world. Professionals, companies and other stakeholders are celebrating this year’s World FM Day with the theme 'Celebrating Global FM Standards’ and celebrations will take place throughout the month of May.

Apart from the International Standardisation for Organisation, the development of facility standards was carried out by the British Institute of Facility Management (BIFM), in conjunction with the British Standards Institute Facilities Management Committee, CEN 384 Technical Committee and ISO Technical Committee 267 for Facilities Management in 2003.  BIFM’s collaboration led to the publication of FM standards in 2006.

In the future, the ISO is expected to establish the Management Systems Standards (MMS) in response to the growing need of facility standardisation. ISO 41001:2018, the international facilities management system (FMS) standard, was released in April 2018. This is the first FMS standard to be published by the International Standardisation for Organisation.

Credit: ISO Survey 2017, Infoprations Analysis 2019

ISO in Facilities Management: Where are Nigerian Companies?

Like their counterparts in other countries, some FM companies have been certified by the International Standardisation for Organisation. According to the information on the websites of the FM companies, the certification has largely been ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015, which emphasise quality management system.

Nigerian companies are yet to be certified with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems certification (EMS), ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems (EnMS), ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility, ISO 55001 Asset Management System Standard, ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management systems (BCM), OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management systems (OHSAS), Fire Risk Management System, Competence Management System and the Gas Safety Certification Scheme, available information reveals.  Our check equally reveals that of the 223 companies with the Nigerian Industrial Standards 9001:2008, FM companies are not on the list.  

While Nigerian companies cannot be said to be relenting in their efforts towards localizing global standards, it obvious that much still need to be done. South Africa leads the way with SANS 1752 and now ISO has followed suit with an almost identical standard – ISO41001 Facility management – Management Systems.  South Africa has published the first ever Facilities Management (FM) Standard after two years of learning. The process started in 2014 when the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) commenced the work internationally and invited SABS to participate.

Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigerian Industrial Standards and the Nigeria Facility Management Initiative need to collaborate on the processes and modalities for ensuring FM standards within Operations and Technical Departments. These departments need standardised processes, quality materials and qualified professionals.  They are strategic to effective and efficient solutions delivery.

It is instructive to note that the growth and increased complexity in FM scope has necessitated the need for standardisation. Companies with the complete certifications are benefiting immensely. Beyond improving safety, health, well-being and productivity of the client’s workforce, FM standards also lead to the same benefits for the FM companies.  “Standardization will bring efficiency to FM operations by ensuring customer focus, leader commitment, monitoring and continuous improvement. Adhering to standards like ISO 14001 will enhance delivery of best value for clients and users,” Ishola Abass, GTP Global Resources’ Mechanical Engineer, said.