In line with Al Asmakh Facilities Management’s vision for continuous improvement, we have adopted a world renowned standard for our Pest Control Services. We are now a proud member of British Pest Control Association, UK (BCPA). BPCA sets guidelines for Pest Control and Disinfection services operationally all around the globe. This enables Al Asmakh Facilities Management to benchmark our services to global standards and broadly improve the quality of work we offer our clients.
Our Learning & Development team is actively working together with BPCA to adopt these standards by acquiring support materials and training our staff to align with BCPA’s recommendations. Through this, we are aiming to create a workforce that is skilled, competent and updated with the latest knowledge and skills in a rapidly evolving and complex environment.
Al Asmakh Facilities Management, together for a better tomorrow!
Al Asmakh Facilities Management takes immense pride in becoming the first ever GSAS Certified Service Provider (Global Sustainability Assessment System) for Facilities Management in Qatar. It is one of the long running initiatives of AAFM that we contribute largely towards the community and the sustainability of the nation. We are pleased to have successfully complied with the requirement stipulated by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) in achieving this accreditation.
GSAS by GORD is the first performance-based accreditation system in the Middle East and North African region. GSAS aims to create a built environment that adheres to sustainable standards, minimizes ecological impacts and reduces resource consumption whilst addressing the local needs and environmental conditions.
At Al Asmakh Facilities Management, our vision for a sustainable environment and the reduction of our carbon footprint has always been incorporated within the services we offer our clients, and following this certification, we now look forward to a renewed impetus and enhanced approach to our sustainability goals.
Al Asmakh Facilities Management – always committed to continuous improvement!
The Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and public health bodies in different countries have agreed the following joint advice for using spraying or misting disinfecting systems to reduce transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Spraying people with disinfectants is not recommended under any circumstances (including in a tunnel, cabinet, or chamber). The World Health Organisation has also confirmed that it could be harmful and does not reduce the spread of the virus. This is because transmission is usually through droplets or contact, so the effectiveness of these systems is likely to be minimal.
Disinfectants used in this way are potentially harmful and can cause health effects including respiratory and eye irritation. Please seek professional help before carrying out such activities on your own.
Cleaning premises using fog or mist treatment
Fog, mist, vapour or UV (ultraviolet) treatments may be suitable options to help control the spread of coronavirus and disinfecting a larger space or room, according to sources. Any use of these treatments for these purposes should form part of your COVID-19 risk assessment. Users must be competent and properly trained.
If you choose to use fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments as a way of disinfecting surfaces, discuss your requirements with your manufacturers/suppliers (this may include fumigators), to help you decide if a product/system meets your needs. The treatment you use will depend on:
the size of the area to be treated, its shape and how easily it can be sealed off while delivering an airborne product
whether there are hard or soft surfaces – soft furnishings may act as a ‘sink’ for the airborne chemicals and emit them for a period of time after treatment (remove items such as sofas before treatment)
Disinfectants applied as a fog, mist or vapour may reach harmful levels during delivery and UV systems may cause eye/skin damage if people enter an area undergoing treatment.
People should not enter rooms being treated by UV or disinfectants applied as fog, mist or vapour. Discuss with suppliers what safety features they can provide to prevent inadvertent access to a room during treatment, for example hazard-monitoring sensors.
Locking rooms during the treatment will help to contain the emissions but other measures such as taping of doorway gaps or plastic screening off of some areas of the room may also be required. Good ventilation will also help clear the disinfectant after the treatment if this can be controlled from outside of the room.
The Methodology
If using fog, mist or vapour, you should ensure the correct concentration of the active chemical is used to achieve disinfection. However, be careful not to apply too much so that it leaves a wet surface or residue, which may present a hazard to anyone entering the room after the treatment is completed.
Methods used include disinfectant or generating reactive gases, for example ozone from air or bottled oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide may be used as a cold mist or as a thermally generated vapour.
Airborne disinfection does not remove the need for surface cleaning and surfaces that are dirty can reduce the effectiveness of disinfectant applied by airborne dispersion.
Disinfectants dispersed by fog, mist, or vapour may not result in even application to all surfaces. Hidden or ‘shadowed’ surfaces, or the surface underneath objects, may not be disinfected. The use of these methods in rooms of complex design with multiple surfaces may not be suitable.
Sealing off rooms
For fog, mist or vapour treatments, gaps in doors or windows can allow leakage of hazardous chemicals back into the building beyond the area being treated. You should therefore seal potential leak points to minimise the risk of exposure to people. Equipment suppliers can provide advice on this procedure.
Chemical sensors placed inside the treated room, or hand-held sensors, can be used to monitor the concentrations of chemicals to indicate it is safe for operators to enter the room.
Rooms that are difficult to seal may not be suitable for delivering airborne chemicals and this must be decided as part of arisk assessment, before starting any treatment.
Large outdoor spaces
Large-scale spraying or disinfecting in outdoor spaces, such as streets or open marketplaces, is not recommended for COVID-19 or other pathogens. This is because you cannot control dispersion of the chemical hazards and possible unintended exposure to people.
Streets and pavements are not considered as routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be dangerous to people’s health and cause eye, respiratory or skin irritation or damage.
Seeking advice on what treatment is appropriate for the environment you are disinfecting? Want Professional disinfection and fumigation services at your premises? We will be able to help.
Energy and environment are directly related. It is impossible to produce or consume energy without a significant environmental impact. As we are already aware, these impacts aren’t of any good. Air pollution, Climate Change, Water Pollution and Thermal pollution are some of the impacts that are directly involved with energy.
Al Asmakh Facilities Management initiated an approach to include Energy Management & Audits that provide insights on energy consumption where it can be enhanced to every client of ours in order to help combat the excessive power consumption. This would drastically reduce the impact that we cause on environment as well as financially cut down burdens for our clients.
This #earthhour2021 is important for us, since we do not have a backup Plan(et), to help sustain the environment as a whole. To leave a home for the future.
In the recent past, we have taken part in many causes to support the environment such as Fight against plastic waste, Clean Sea, Save Water, Plant More Trees, etc. #Today we are taking a step ahead to show that we care about our #earth
The World Earth Hour is a gesture to turn every possible lights off from 8:30PM to 9:30 PM on the 27th of March every year.
We have seen a major transformation in Facilities Management scope in Qatar with the recent surge in PPP & BOT projects. As we continuously engage the RFP deliverables of such projects, we realize that the FM scope of works has taken a much larger shape covering the oversight of design, infrastructural, construction and civil works responsibilities as well as cost responsibilities post DLP periods and through the concession period of 20+ years. These type of projects encompass greater source of revenues at a much higher risk.
To further expand on the above mentioned, we need to greatly acknowledge that the game as we know it, has a new patch.. what is considered core functions, O&M, TFM & IFM is now “basics” in delivering a successful PPP / BOT concession requirements. The importance and complexity of this new patch reflects the need for FM professionals to align expectations with the parenting investment partners on such projects.
FM organizations need to be vigilant in agreeing the FM consortium terms with the parenting investment. The investor aim is to minimize the investment risk by pushing for a “step down” which means transferring the risk from the investment to the operating model / contractor’s (ie. FM) post DLP periods.
FM governance need to be cautious and at the same token, comfortable with the risk associated in delivering such projects expanding up to 20+ years in concessions. FM professionals need the know-how in developing proper Asset Life Cycle Sinking Funds modules, (LCSF), asset replacement strategies as well as work closely with the design and construction teams on project delivery and scope… FM professionals need to expand there knowledge base in providing a competitive costing OPEX / CAPEX synchronized with the LCSF module.
The technical and commercial proposals you use to submit represents a lesser value to the RFP requisites associated with PPP / BOT projects. All services are required to be tailored and descriptive as authenticated by the RFP. It is critical to align your foretasted costing modules to meet the concession period reaching 20+ years. Get familiar with the new risk you are about to ink as you embark and take a new step in innovative territories. Consider the deployment of a militant performance management regimes with an effort to provide consistency in service delivery and to mitigate the intensified unavailability and Performance failures as described or required.
In Summary, our industry is surely getting finessed to take the shape of an umbrella smothering each and every service and sector from the design approval stage, infrastructure and construction clearance stages to the operational phases, mistakes could be fatal. I guess it is fair to say…
with great powers reside greater responsibilities.
Technology is the future of our service industry. Clients, management and ownerships are craving advanced data knowledge and analysis delivered by numerous platforms currently in the market. It is critical though to realize and surely recognize that while espousing new systems is an advancement, it is not always the solution. It is critical to insure that the operation, structure and team are ready and prepared to absorb, assume and practice those upgrades to it full capacity, otherwise a negative effect could be noticeable, defragmented services, miscommunication leading to failed deliverables and therefore defeats purpose.
The liking of oracle, IBM and Microsoft etc.. who are delivering new technological platforms should take in consideration the readiness of the service industry and its capability in implementing and delivering these new technologies as a value add to its clients. Currently the new facilities & assets management platforms are configured to run Artificial intelligence & robotics, while the majority of the FM service industry is still working with basic technological tools at best. Let us be transparent and real!, know where you stand and your existing capabilities, plan your improvement using a transitional methodology, make sure your subject matter expertise is ready to utilize those new tools as an integrated modules and take full advantage of the hefty cost paid yearly.
The major players nowa’ days are going cloud- at basic levels, make sure you have a good reliable, speedy connectivity, otherwise you find yourself working backward on a corrective journey. It would also be beneficial for tech. Companies to launch educational hubs in regions and deploy trainers and technical support teams in countries of sales targets. It it shocking to see those Companies targeting major hubs without even having proper teams on the ground to lead and support what the customers paid and vested in.
Remote assistance can never replace physical presence.
This initiative plays a crucial role in raising awareness among the wider community, while showcasing the progress Qatar has made in the areas of sustainability and green buildings.
With this in mind, we at Al Asmakh Facilities Management decided to do our part by sharing a little piece of information that will create awareness within our community to help support Qatar’s sustainability greatly.
Water is the most important element for the preservation of life next to air. It is a finite commodity which, if not managed properly, will result in shortages in the near future.
There is no doubt that most of us take water for granted.
We have a habit of leaving our taps running. Whether it is when we brush our teeth or wash food, it’s all too easy to leave taps on and water running down the sink. For every minute that the tap is running, it uses as much as 12 litres of water.
Air Conditioning is one of the essentials in Qatar, especially during the summer. Eco-conscious individuals may wonder about the environmental impact of air conditioning and how to choose more sustainable options. But it is almost as impossible to stay without an AC.
By letting the room be cooled enough to turn off the AC unit often and by keeping it turned off when you leave home can largely impact in energy saving. Being considerate about energy consumption is going to benefit you financially too.
Many different things can negatively influence the environment, such as not using proper procedures when disposing of products. However, there are many benefits to using eco-friendly products that are not simply centered around the health and well-being of the Earth, but also the health and wellbeing of your family.
Choosing eco-friendly products is the least we can do to our environment as well as ourselves.
Cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial element in fighting global warming and climate changes that may be a factor in catastrophic weather events.
Replacing only one light bulb with an Energy Star-rated light bulb in every house would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 9 billion pounds, or about the amount from 800,000 cars; the statistics show.
Plastic bags end up as litter that fouls the landscape and kills thousands of marine animals every year that mistake the floating bags for food. Plastic bags that get buried in landfills may take up to 1,000 years to break down, and in the process, they separate into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate soil and water.
So, the next time the clerk at your favorite grocery store asks whether you prefer “paper or plastic” for your purchases, consider giving the truly eco-friendly response and saying, “neither.”
Like we mentioned earlier and there’s no harm in repeating, water is a limited yet the most valuable resource for life form.
You can help reduce the waste of this precious resource by making simple changes in your daily routine. An average shower uses about 5 gallons of water per minute. If you shorten your shower by 2 minutes, you can cut your water use by 10 gallons. You can further reduce your water consumption by turning the water off while soaping.
Trees naturally pull in carbon (and water) from the atmosphere to feed themselves. It’s just a happy coincidence that, in doing so, that process produces oxygen, which is a necessity for lives to thrive.
The crucial takeaway is that trees absorb carbon and one of the biggest aspects of global warming is the rising amount of carbon dioxide trapped in our atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is one of several greenhouse gases contributing to our rapid climate change. Since trees already absorb carbon, we need to plant even more to combat the effect it’s having on our planet.
The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy – raw materials must be extracted from the earth, and the product must be fabricated then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.
Pollution from vehicles is a major threat to the environment. We all benefit from clean air. No matter who you are, there are actions you can take to help reduce the amount of pollution that comes from cars.
If you are only going a short distance, consider riding a bike or walking instead of driving. You can get exercise and enjoy the fresh air while getting where you need to go.
It is an important duty of every citizen to contribute to the environment and to build a sustainable living for the future generations. Let’s rebuild together what we have destroyed.
Building management systems have a positive impact on commercial buildings. These systems can increase efficiency and also reduce operating costs, but most of all they are the “life” of your entire infrastructure and sustainability of it. With the use of automation and other devices, building management systems drive and control every systemic process that occurs in your building and outside property on a daily basis.
Through the use of building management system software, you can see a reduction in energy and water consumption, improve waste management, and add sustainability to your building’s mechanical operations. Commercial building systemic operations not only put a tremendous strain on the natural environment by increasing carbon output, but they also put a strain on your budget. By upgrading your building with a building management system, you can streamline and improve your systemic operations to benefit your company and protect the environment too.
Regency Safety Services & Equipment, a reputable company that can design and build a unique Building Management system that will meet your needs and budget. We are a leader among building automation companies in Qatar, serving both commercial and governmental structures. We have the expertise and experience to retrofit a new system into your existing structure, or build a new one from the ground up.
It is sometimes important to integrate your system into one synergistic entity, while still segregating systemic process according to designated zones to meet the particular needs of each separate environment. There is no need to remove existing infrastructure because it can be incorporated into the new design, and managed with a building management system software open protocol system.
Building Management Systems Operations
You or the team assigned will be able to control every process of infrastructure system at one center point, that includes:
HVAC automation manages your building’s air conditioning, heating, ventilation, air quality, comfort and safety, and smoke extraction. Using microprocessors, your system can digitally unite the mechanical and electrical systems to operate seamlessly and effectively manage and sustain the interior environment.
Through the use of intelligent logistical engineering, interior temperature set-points can be maintained and waste eliminated. Digital logistics also enhance the navigation of air flow by side-stepping obstacles within air ducts etc. that can diminish efficiency and add stress to the system.
Power monitoring allows for the monitoring and management or your power grid. Your management team can access all infrastructure trending conditions that are occurring in your building. Real-time data can assist your managers in appraising the performance of each system, evaluate conflicts, and identify, locate, and correct problems.
Other building management operations include: Lighting Control System, Guest Room Management System, CCTV surveillance, access control systems, recycling and conservation and meters and dashboards.
Want to know your options or looking for an upgrade?
Call us now and speak to an experienced representative at +974 4405 4155
Energy & environmental enhancement and preservation are top priorities of Al Asmakh Facilities Management. Since Facilities Management is responsible for ensuring the functionality, comfort and safety of the built environment, uniquely positioned to leverage local operational efficiency initiatives to identify and act to improve the efficiency of energy use across facilities. Additionally this allows us to advise the property owners on how best to integrate people, processes and technology to achieve optimal efficiencies.
Which is why, our team has taken the initiative to report on the energy usage of the properties we manage every month. This enables us to see clearly the trend of usage, wastage and places for improvement. This is now implemented as a part of the monthly report we submit to our clients.
Apart from this, our Building Management Solutions team actively works on field studies before and after the installation of BMS in properties. The field study involves, collecting Electricity readings for the past years, examining the gaps, propose appropriate solution based on the needs of the facility, etc. Once implemented, the team continues to collect relevant data to compare the trends, where data have always been positive for the clients.
Some of the proposed solutions are outlined as follows:
Proactively manage energy-using equipment
The key to maintaining functionality, comfort, safety and efficiency of building systems is to ensure that equipment is well-managed and maintained through routine checks and preventive maintenance. Equipment checks can often go overlooked because attention is directed to more pressing issues. When maintenance is not addressed over a longer period, reduced equipment efficiencies or asset damage may result. Regular, planned preventive maintenance on energy-using equipment can help identify leaks, repairs or replacements.
Effectively use lighting and HVAC controls
We can reduce energy waste by effectively using control solutions to improve the efficiency of lighting and HVAC systems. No matter the technology, if lighting remains on in unoccupied areas or in rooms fully lit by natural daylight, energy is being wasted. One of the most common types of lighting controls are occupancy sensors, which turn lighting on automatically when they detect motion and off when the area is vacated. This is further evaluated in Building Management Solutions.
Retrofit existing building systems
There is significant opportunity in retrofitting older, existing buildings through the modification of building systems to be more energy efficient. The retrofitting process is most effective when companies limit the scope of their retrofit to a few broadly applicable measures and roll out a sustainable technology investment bundle across their portfolio. Other impactful retrofitting solutions include the replacement of doors and windows or installing insulation. Initial success of their retrofit program is reportedly upwards of a 30% reduction in overall energy usage. By improving building envelope, performance companies can lower their heating and cooling needs, wasting less energy and being more efficient at the same time.
Investing in Ourselves
Energy is a complex issue that touches every aspect of a building and presents many simultaneous challenges, including energy costs, occupant comfort, and energy reliability. By proactively managing equipment, effectively using control systems and supporting initiatives to retrofit older buildings, facility managers can have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of their building systems.
Using energy more efficiently is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and reduce the growing energy demand.
Citation:
TY – JOUR AU – Sapar, Majid AU – Lee, Siew PY – 2005/07/01 SP – 416 EP – 425 T1 – Establishment of energy management tools for facilities managers in the tropical region VL – 23 DO – 10.1108/02632770510602351 JO – Facilities ER –
The bodies were lying in the streets un-buried. All railroads and vessels carrying food and such things into the great city had ceased runnings and mobs of the hungry poor pillaging.
