Su-Ling Fan, Wei-San Ong, Chun-Tin Wu, Nuria Forcada Matheu and Hamidreza Alavi
The purpose of this paper is to address the problems of the current facilities maintenance management (FMM) system in finding necessary information, identifying defective…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the problems of the current facilities maintenance management (FMM) system in finding necessary information, identifying defective facilities and prioritizing maintenance work orders.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, in conjunction with building information modeling, a system is proposed to perform a preliminary inspection of each maintenance request, provide FMM staff with the location of the faulty facility and its associated details and provide recommendations for prioritizing repair work orders. Unity and Revit are used to implement the proposed system and a case study is conducted to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Findings
An augmented reality (AR)-FMM system was developed using the AR technique in this paper. This system provides the related information even if the FMM receives a problem report without facility information from the occupant and performs a preliminary inspection so that the faulty facility and the route to it are identified. In addition, a work order sequence of pending requests was provided. The visualization of the facility using AR technology has brought great convenience and ease to FMM staff.
Originality/value
This paper addresses the problems encountered in the current facility maintenance management system concerning AR technology.
Details
Keywords
Argaw Gurmu and Pabasara Wijeratne Mudiyanselage
Most residential building owners often report problems associated with the plumbing systems. If identified at the early stages, plumbing-related defects can be easily repaired…
Abstract
Purpose
Most residential building owners often report problems associated with the plumbing systems. If identified at the early stages, plumbing-related defects can be easily repaired. However, if unnoticed for a long period of time, they could lead to major damages and incur a significant cost to repair. Despite the problems, studies investigating plumbing anomalies and their root causes in residential buildings are limited. This study aims to explore plumbing defects and their potential causes, diagnosis methods and repair techniques in residential buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used data collected through an extensive survey of both academic and grey literature. Through the content analysis, plumbing defects and the associated causes have been identified and presented in tabular format.
Findings
The study investigated the anomalies and causes in the residential plumbing system under five key sub-systems: water supply system; sanitary plumbing system; roof drainage system; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and gas system; and swimming pool. Accordingly, some of the identified plumbing defects include leakages, corrosion, water penetration, slow drainage and cracks. Damaged pipes, faulty equipment and installations are some of the common causes of the anomalies. Visual inspection, hydrostatic pressure test, thermography, high-tech pipe cameras, infrared cameras, leak noise correlators and leak loggers are techniques used for diagnosing anomalies. Reactive, preventive, predictive and reliability-centred maintenance strategies are identified to control or prevent anomalies.
Originality/value
The findings of this research can be used as a useful tool or guideline for contractors, plumbers, facilities managers and building surveyors to identify and rectify plumbing system-related defects in residential buildings.