As Built Drawings: The Key to Efficient Facility Operations Imagine this scenario: A critical pipe bursts in the server room, threatening to bring your entire operation to a standstill. Your facilities manager rushes to locate the shutoff valve, but the building blueprints seem outdated and inaccurate. Precious minutes tick by as they scramble to identify the correct shutoff location. This is a situation many facility managers encounter due to a lack of up-to-date as built drawings. According to a report by the MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), 40% of facility managers report difficulty managing outdated building documentation. This highlights the critical role of as built drawings in ensuring efficient facility management. But what exactly are these drawings, and how can they empower your team? BuildHub, a leading BIM service provider since 2007, offers comprehensive drawing services to help you bridge the gap between design and reality. Throughout this blog, we’ll delve into the world of as-built drawings, exploring their benefits, applications, and how BuildHub can transform your facility management processes. GET A FREE BIM QUOTE TODAY What Are As Built Drawings? As built drawings, also known as record drawings or redline drawings, are a detailed and accurate representation of a building or facility in its constructed state. They capture any deviations from the original design plans that occur during construction. These deviations can include changes in wall locations, modifications to MEP systems (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), or additions not present in the initial blueprints. What is the Difference between As Built and As Design? Here’s a table summarizing the key differences between As Built Drawings and Original Design Drawings: Feature Original Design Drawings As Built Drawings Purpose To depict the intended design of the building To reflect the actual, constructed state of the building Accuracy Represent the planned layout Account for any deviations from the original design Level of Detail May not account for minor field changes Capture all construction modifications What is the Difference between Record Drawings and As Built Drawings? The terms “as built drawings” and “record drawings” are often used interchangeably in the context of facility management. While they are closely related, there can be subtle distinctions between them. Here’s a table to clarify the differences: Feature As Built Drawings Record Drawings Definition A detailed representation of a building in its constructed state, capturing deviations from the original design. A formally reviewed and approved set of as-built drawings, often used for permitting or handover purposes. Purpose To provide a factual representation of the building as built, used for maintenance, space management, and other ongoing facility operations. To serve as a legal document** reflecting the final, approved state of the building as constructed. Level of Detail May include detailed notations regarding deviations from the original design. Typically cleaner and more polished**, focusing on the final, approved building elements. Approval Process May not require formal approval. Usually undergoes a formal review and approval process by architects, engineers, and other relevant authorities. In essence, as-built drawings are a broader term encompassing the initial documentation of the building’s constructed state. Record drawings, on the other hand, represent a more formal and approved version of the as-built drawings, often used for official purposes. What is the Difference between As-Built and As-Constructed? While the terms “as-built” and “as-constructed” are often used synonymously, there’s a minor distinction. “As-built” specifically refers to the drawings created to document the finished building, whereas “as-constructed” can encompass a broader range of documentation, potentially including shop drawings, material submittals, and other construction records. In most practical applications, however, the terms are interchangeable. Benefits of As Built Drawings for Facility Management By maintaining a comprehensive set of as built drawings, facility managers gain a powerful tool that unlocks a multitude of benefits, optimizing various aspects of facility operations. Here’s a closer look at how as built drawings empower facility management teams: Improved Maintenance and Repair As-built drawings provide a clear and accurate picture of a building’s as-built condition. This eliminates the guesswork often associated with outdated or incomplete documentation. With precise information on the location of equipment, shutoff valves, electrical panels, and other building systems, facility managers can: Expedite troubleshooting: Quickly identify the source of problems and pinpoint the exact location for repairs, minimizing downtime and disruptions. Streamline maintenance tasks: Schedule preventive maintenance activities more effectively, ensuring all essential systems are serviced according to their specific requirements. Reduce labor costs: Eliminate the need for extensive site investigations during maintenance or repair procedures, leading to improved labor efficiency. Enhanced Space Management As-built drawings provide an accurate representation of the usable space within a facility. This empowers facility managers to: Optimize space allocation: Track space utilization effectively and identify opportunities for reconfiguring existing layouts to accommodate changing needs. Plan for future growth: Accurately assess available space for potential expansions or modifications, facilitating informed decision-making regarding future space requirements. Improve space utilization: Maintain a clear understanding of how space is currently being used, allowing for better allocation and potentially generating additional revenue through optimized space rentals. Streamlined Life Cycle Management As-built drawings serve as a valuable historical record of a building’s construction and any subsequent modifications. This comprehensive documentation plays a crucial role in: Informed decision-making: Throughout the building’s life cycle, facility managers can leverage as-built drawings to make data-driven decisions regarding renovations, upgrades, or retrofitting existing systems. Cost-effective maintenance: As-built drawings enable predictive maintenance strategies, allowing facility managers to anticipate potential issues and proactively address them before they escalate into costly repairs. Enhanced asset management: By tracking the location and condition of building systems reflected in the as-built drawings, facility managers can optimize asset management practices, ensuring systems operate efficiently and reach their full lifespan. Boosted Efficiency Up-to-date as built drawings eliminate the time wasted searching for inaccurate or outdated building information. This translates to: Improved workflow: Facility staff can locate essential information quickly and efficiently, minimizing the time spent searching for building details and allowing them to focus on core tasks. Enhanced communication: As-built drawings provide a common reference point for
