Facilities Excellence

What is the SFG20 standard?

SFG20 is the industry standard for building maintenance specification. Its extensive library of schedules covers more than 70 different asset types, plus the fabric of the building itself.

Created in 1990, in response to the need for a standard that would drive legal compliance, SFG20 is used by organisations in a wide range of sectors, spanning healthcare, education, government, retail, residential - and many more-to ensure safe, legal and competent building maintenance.

 

Introducing Facilities-iQ the only way to stay up to date with the SFG20 standard.

Facilities-iQ is a new smart software solution to intelligently manage your building maintenance compliance.


  • Powerful smart search identifies SFG20 schedules instantaneously by entering keywords or Uniclass, British Standards, or NRM codes
  • Tailor content by adjusting task frequency and duration, amend task criticality and skillsets, and add notes for engineers
  • Stay compliant with new and changing regulations with our dynamically updating schedules and checklists
  • Live information flow with other FM systems creates an audit trail of compliance
  • Share content with internal teams and contractors via secure sharing links e.g., for tendering purposes, quotations, or completion of works
  • Automatic updates notify users of changes to SFG20 content. Review existing and new content side by side, and choose when to implement updates
  • Connected interface with other FM systems means SFG20 updates are sent in real time without the need for manual input
  • The companion mobile app gives engineers access to SFG20 introductory procedures and full task instructions

Get in touch with one of our experts today to find out more about our range of software tools by either calling us on +44 1768 860459 or emailing info@sfg20.co.uk

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Why SFG20

SFG20 produce the industry standard for building maintenance. Its software tools and expertise empower building owners, managers and maintenance professionals to control their risk and keep buildings safe and efficient.

  • check_circle (1) Stay compliant with new and changing regulations with our dynamically updating schedules and checklists.
  • check_circle (1) Build bespoke regimes that are specifically designed for your organisation’s needs by tailoring tasks.
  • check_circle (1) Stay on the latest version of the SFG20 standard using our interface with other FM systems which provides the latest content and eliminates manual input
  • check_circle (1) Reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs by keeping your assets in optimal condition.
  • check_circle (1) Focus your resource by using our colour-coded schedules which distinguish between statutory and non-statutory tasks.
  • check_circle (1) Stay on top of the latest changes with ease with automatic content updates that allow you to choose when to implement them.
  • check_circle (1) Optimise your regime by blending planned preventative maintenance with e.g., reactive, condition-based and predictive maintenance.
  • check_circle (1) Make tendering a breeze by sharing your custom maintenance requirements.


The Benchmark for Building Maintenance

This standard offers a comprehensive list of maintenance tasks, each colour-coded according to their level of criticality. Red tasks are statutory, meaning that they are required by law, or are included in codes of practice that enable users to achieve compliance. SFG20 guidance also includes recommended task frequencies and the skill set required for each task, meaning that users can ensure and demonstrate that their maintenance has been completed by a competent person for the job.

By adhering to SFG20, building owners, facility managers, internal maintenance teams, contractors and consultants can proactively address issues, ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry best practices and provide the best possible chance of realising the full intended lifespan of a building and its assets.

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The Benchmark for Building Maintenance

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Learn about; The SFG20 standard and What is the SFG20 maintenance software

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What is the scope of the SFG20 standard?

The standard consists of an extensive library of maintenance schedules, covering more than 70 different asset types and including specialist content, such as healthcare, security, catering and building fabric. It provides a standardised and structured approach to maintaining the various systems and components within buildings. The primary areas covered by SFG20 include:

 

  • Building Systems: SFG20 addresses a wide range of building systems, including but not limited to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), electrical systems, plumbing, fire safety, security, and building fabric (such as walls, roofs, and floors).
  • Maintenance Tasks: It outlines specific maintenance tasks for each building system, specifying what needs to be done and how often. These tasks cover routine inspections, servicing, cleaning, and repairs.
  • Frequency: SFG20 recommends maintenance frequencies, ensuring that tasks are performed at appropriate intervals. This prevents neglect or over-maintenance, optimising the lifespan of building assets.
  • Compliance: The standard ensures compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards, helping building owners and managers adhere to legal requirements and industry best practices.
  • Customisation: While providing a standardised framework, SFG20 allows for customisation to suit the unique needs and characteristics of individual buildings. This flexibility ensures that maintenance plans can be tailored for specific requirements.
  • Documentation: SFG20 highlights the importance of documenting maintenance activities, recording when tasks were performed, who conducted them, and any observations or issues encountered. This documentation serves as a valuable historical record and aids in demonstrating compliance.
  • Cost Efficiency: By using SFG20, organisations can achieve cost-efficient maintenance management by reducing unexpected breakdowns, prolonging the life of building assets, and focussing resources in the right areas.
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What is the scope of the SFG20 standard?

Save Up to 20% On Your Annual Maintenance Budget

Who updates the SFG20 standard and how often?

The SFG20 standard is maintained and updated by a technical team from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). This team is tasked with the development and revision of the technical content within the standard. They conduct regular reviews of the maintenance task schedules, considering factors such as new legislation, advancements in equipment, and changes in best practices.

To ensure the accuracy and relevance of the updated content, a dedicated BESA Service and Facilities executive committee, composed of Directors, Heads of Groups, Senior Management, and representatives from leading practitioners, is responsible for approving the new and updated technical content. This committee plays a pivotal role in ratifying changes to the standard.

Updates and revisions to the SFG20 standard are communicated to subscribers through technical bulletins and schedule updates. This proactive communication ensures that subscribers stay informed about the latest legislative requirements and best practices, helping them maintain compliance with industry standards.

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Who updates the SFG20 standard and how often?

"We find SFG20 to be an invaluable tool in providing technical maintenance service to our large portfolio of clients. The flexibility of the software is fantastic and has enabled us to tailor maintenance schedules to fit our individual client needs."

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About the SFG20 Standard

What does SFG stand for?

SFG stands for "Service and Facilities Group." This acronym encapsulates the core purpose and function of the SFG20 standard. It represents a systematic and structured approach to maintaining buildings and their various components, ensuring they remain safe, compliant, and in optimal working condition.

When was SFG20 created?

SFG20 was created in 1990 by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). Since its inception, it has been recognised as the industry standard for building maintenance specifications. The standard comprises an extensive library of maintenance schedules covering more than 70 equipment types.

What is the scope of SFG20?
SFG20 is a growing library, providing over 2000 industry maintenance task schedules covering all principal types of heating, cooling and ventilation, installation and plant, and electrical services complete with technical updates and legislative references.
Who updates the SFG20 Standard?
A BESA technical team are responsible for developing and updating technical content. The team regularly review SFG20 maintenance task schedules to continually assess the effects of new legislation, equipment and changes to best practice. A dedicated BESA Service and Facilities executive committee comprising of Directors, Heads of Groups, Senior Management and representatives of other leading practitioners are responsible for ratifying new and updated technical content. All updates are communicated to subscribers by way of technical bulletins and schedule updates, keeping our subscribers informed with regards to latest legislation and best practice – keeping you compliant.
How often is SFG20 updated?

SFG20’s technical consultants continually monitor and review all legislation and best practice to ensure our library of maintenance tasks are up-to-date. Subscribers receive automatic change notifications via email.

What is NRM 3?

The rationale behind the RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM 3) was to be able to integrate the construction cost management with renewals and operation and maintenance, through to end of life. Therefore updating the CIBSE Guide M table is really important to provide the common data classification for overcoming the capital and revenue divide, along with having a massive impact on how buildings can be handed over to be operated and maintained. Also to structure and standardise future condition surveying and inform the forward asset renewal programmes of work. The CIBSE table update 2018, is essential to help future construction projects to be more robustly lifecycle costed (5D and 6D) – by providing the common data classification for enabling effective handover of asset information post construction, and to then effectively operate, maintain and sustain. Based on cross industry collaboration between SFG20, RICS NRM 3 and CIBSE technical teams have updated the economic life expectancy table in CIBSE Guide M (1st edition 2014). The update fully aligns CIBSE reference service life data with SFG20 maintenance codes and to NRM 1 and 3 asset descriptions and coding for building assets and also incorporates additional new SFG20 maintenance task schedules and SFG20 codes from 2014 to 2018.


SFG20 Facilities-iQ is easy to use but we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Support

Customer Support

Our dedicated customer support team that is ready to help you with all your technical questions, and can be reached by email, phone, or by submitting a Contact Us form on our website or contact us either at info@sfg20.co.uk or on 01768 807504

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Learning Lab

Get up and running from day one with our library of ‘How to?’ video resources. We also offer a range of online training courses to suit your needs. For bespoke projects and requirements, contact our consulting team.

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Our Resources

From e-guides to case studies, blog articles and webinars, SFG20 has a library of readily accessible educational content to support your team with optimising all areas of building maintenance.

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