RIBA Stage 7 – In Use is where we complete the design series. This marks the end of the RIBA stages and the building entering its “In Use” phase. If Stage 6 – Handover and Closeout have been completed successfully, the building should enter its in-use phase without issue.
This was a new stage within the RIBA Plan of Work. It acknowledges the potential benefits of harnessing the project design information to assist with the successful operation and use of a building. While it might be considered that Stage 7 starts the building’s life cycle, it also could signify Stage 0 of the future refurbishment project later in its life.
– BSRIA Guide 6 2018
With “good” information, the FM teams will roll out a comprehensive PPM Strategy to maintain the building and keep the MEP equipment operating at its optimum efficiency. This would typically include an asset register (that has been developed from COBie information in line with CIBSE guide M), a building logbook (to CIBSE TM31), and models/documents that detail the building information.
Activities during Stage 7
- Carry out surveys to asses energy usage, efficiency, performance, and benchmark against targets set during the design stage
- Updating drawings, documents, and models to reflect replacements, improvements, and extensions during the building’s life cycle. Beneficial for future refurbishment schemes.
As previously mentioned during the RIBA Stage 6 design phase, we have carried out numerous asset surveys. This includes developing an asset Register so that the FM team can identify, track, and maintain MEP assets connected to the building.
Building services engineers can be engaged during this period to conduct condition surveys, asset surveys, energy usage, and efficiency modeling. These are just a few of the services we can provide during the buildings Stage 7- In Use phase.
We hope that you have enjoyed this design series. Hopefully, it has provided insight with regard to the RIBA, BSRIA, MEP and how they come together in the Built Environment.
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