BS 8536:2022

What is BS 8536 – Design, manufacture and construction for operability about?

BS 8536 discusses operability. The aim of BS 8536 is to provide the best industry practices that ensures smooth delivery of the project.

BS 8536 gives recommendations on design, manufacture and construction for operability in relation to an asset(s) (e.g. buildings and infrastructure for energy, telecommunication, transport and water), taking account of the expected performance of the asset in use over its planned operational life.

BS 8536 is intended to strengthen practices and procedures by:

• promoting the early involvement of the operator or operations team, as appropriate
• improving the focus of the project team on the performance of the asset in use
• promoting programme and portfolio thinking by the asset owner and, where applicable,
• the project sponsor to ensure that the asset meets the wider requirements of the owner’s operations
• providing feedback on the expected functional and operational performance of the asset at each stage of the delivery phase
• extending the commitment of each delivery team to defined periods of aftercare post‑handover of the asset and its safe, secure, efficient and cost-effective operation in line with environmental, social and economic performance outcomes and targets
• embedding post-implementation review or building performance evaluation (BPE), as
• appropriate, in the operational phase based upon agreement early in the delivery phase regarding requirements
• embedding information management, using building information modelling, in the processes for the delivery and operation of assets
• emphasizing the importance of information and data quality
• highlighting the need to maximize both the investment value and resource value of the asset (see BS EN 12973 and BS 8210).

Who is BS 8536 - Design, manufacture and construction for operability for?

BS 8536 on design, manufacture and construction for operability is useful for:

• Architects and designers
• Structural engineers
• Mechanical and electrical engineers
• Constructors
• Consultants
• Suppliers
• Real estate managers
• Facility managers
• Asset managers (owners/operators)
• Licensees and operations and maintenance teams
• Human resource managers with a focus on this area

Why should you use BS 8536 - Design, manufacture and construction for operability?

Design, manufacture and construction for operability focuses on those aspects of the delivery phase that are concerned with achieving the required operational performance of new, upgraded, repurposed or refurbished assets. The aim is to achieve a smooth transition from the delivery phase into the operational phase of an asset.

BS 8536 outlines the primary activities, information, issues and deliverables to be addressed by the project team and each delivery team to support their work and to provide the asset owner and the operator or operations team, as appropriate, with as much certainty as possible in regard to the required functional and operational performance of the asset.

BS 8536:2022 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being; Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth; Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure and Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.