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O&M Services

Best Practices for Effective O and M Construction Delivery

July 17, 2025

Blogpost

In today's dynamic built environment, O and M Construction plays a pivotal role in building performance. O and M Construction ensures commercial buildings and critical infrastructure function well throughout their lifecycles. It covers HVAC systems, indoor air quality, building energy efficiency, and preventive maintenance strategies. Effective O&M construction delivery requires a comprehensive and proactive approach to planning and execution. Teams must integrate planning, technology, and management best practices for successful O&M outcomes.
Facilities managers overseeing portfolios benefit from understanding O and M Construction fundamentals. Contractors specializing in energy-efficient systems can reduce costs and improve long-term performance. Understanding the fundamentals of operations and maintenance helps save time and enhance building efficiency. This blog outlines the best practices that ensure high-performing results in O and M construction.

Understanding O and M Construction

Understanding O and M Construction

O and M Construction refers to integrating operations and maintenance into the construction phase of buildings. It differs from traditional construction, which focuses only on the design and build process. O&M construction emphasizes the post-construction lifecycle of building equipment, commercial roofing, and HVAC systems. It also addresses other related systems critical to the building's long-term performance.
This approach prioritizes:

  • Long-term energy efficiency
  • Health and safety of occupants
  • Indoor air quality
  • Reliable building systems performance

It aims to create facilities that are easy to operate and cost-effective to maintain. Additionally, it builds high-performance facilities that can efficiently handle various usage demands. R

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Global Construction Market Size

Global Construction Market Size

The construction market has experienced robust growth in recent years and is projected to continue its upward trajectory. Experts expect the market to increase from $16,152.39 billion in 2024 to $17,045.95 billion in 2025, reflecting a CAGR of 5.5%. They anticipate the market will reach $21,260.28 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%.

Best Practices for O&M Delivery

Best Practices for O&M Delivery

Best practices for operations and maintenance delivery emphasize the integration of preventive maintenance and energy efficiency. They ensure system reliability from the design phase through building operation and the entire lifecycle. Involving facilities managers early supports efficient planning and smooth operations. Teams utilize CMMS tools to streamline maintenance and improve overall performance. Aligning with standards like the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) ensures compliance and consistency. These strategies help buildings remain high-performing, safe, and cost-effective over time.

Incorporate O&M Early in the Design Phase

One of the cornerstones of successful O&M construction is early integration. Involving facilities managers, maintenance teams, and operations experts during design ensures more informed project decisions. They help guide choices about building energy use and condition-based maintenance strategies. These experts also influence the long-term performance of each piece of equipment.

Benefits:

  • It reduces lifecycle costs
  • It ensures alignment with scheduled maintenance plans
  • It supports better building energy modeling and energy efficiency outcomes

Involving facilities managers, maintenance teams, and operations experts during design ensures more informed project decisions. They help guide choices about building energy use and condition-based maintenance strategies. These experts also influence the long-term performance of each piece of equipment.

Prioritize Energy Efficiency

Modern commercial buildings must meet increasingly stringent energy codes and occupant wellness standards. This means that O&M construction must place a strong emphasis on building energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ).

Strategies include:

  • Using high-performance HVAC systems, including heat pumps
  • Designing ductwork for optimal airflow
  • Implementing real-time IAQ monitoring
  • Utilizing innovative building technologies that adjust energy use dynamically

High-performing O&M construction focuses not just on efficiency but also on occupant health and comfort. It ensures occupants stay healthy and comfortable while helping to reduce overall energy consumption effectively.

Implement a Preventive Maintenance Program

Preventive maintenance is a structured approach to servicing building systems at regular intervals, preventing unexpected failures and ensuring optimal system performance. Designers should integrate this practice into the building from the start in Operations, Maintenance, Engineering Training, and Administration.

Key Components:

  • Equipment schedules
  • Manufacturer-recommended service intervals
  • Spare parts inventory
  • Integration with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
  • Avoidance of run-to-failure tactics whenever possible

An effective preventive maintenance program boosts the longevity and performance of commercial roofing, HVAC systems, and other critical infrastructure.

Utilize a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

A Computerized Maintenance Management System plays a crucial role in organizing, tracking, and optimizing all maintenance procedures. When included in O&M construction, CMMS helps facilities managers stay on top of:

  • Work orders
  • Maintenance logs
  • Service history for every piece of equipment
  • Asset performance analytics

It ensures that building equipment receives timely attention to maintain reliable performance and function. It enables teams to make data-driven decisions, improving operations and achieving effective operational efficiency.

Apply Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)

Reliability Centered Maintenance is a systematic approach to identifying the most effective maintenance strategy for each type of asset. It ensures maintenance efforts focus on systems whose failure causes the most significant operational impact.

Incorporating RCM into O&M construction helps to:

  • Increase system reliability
  • Reduce maintenance procedures and costs
  • Minimize unplanned outages
  • Prioritize safety and regulatory compliance

This approach holds particular importance in complex environments, such as data centers and healthcare facilities. It also plays a vital role in commercial buildings across the United States.

Collaborate with Facilities Managers Throughout the Project

Facilities managers have a unique understanding of what it takes to operate commercial buildings efficiently. Involving them in O&M construction ensures that design choices reflect real-world maintenance procedures and operational priorities.

Their input can optimize:

  • Maintenance of the accessibility of building equipment
  • HVAC control strategies
  • Health and safety measures
  • Indoor air quality monitoring systems

Early engagement with facilities managers leads to more maintainable, safer, and cost-effective commercial buildings.

Focus on Health and Safety from the Ground Up

Effective O&M construction must ensure the health and safety of both occupants and maintenance personnel.

This includes:

  • Installing secure access systems in mechanical rooms
  • Using non-toxic and low-emission building materials
  • Designing ventilation systems for optimal IAQ
  • Complying with OSHA and local safety codes

The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) team incorporates health and safety considerations into the design, construction, and operation of projects. They contribute to creating a better environment for everyone involved through continuous integration.

Plan for Scalable Maintenance Programs

As commercial buildings evolve, so too must their maintenance programs. A successful O&M construction strategy should allow for scalable maintenance that can accommodate:

  • New equipment installations
  • Changing building usage patterns
  • Technological upgrades in HVAC, such as heat pumps, or building automation systems

A flexible and scalable maintenance program enables adaptation to change and supports ongoing growth. It also serves a wide range of building needs without compromising performance or efficiency.

Monitor and Optimize Building Performance Post-Occupancy

Commissioning should not end when construction is complete. Continuous performance monitoring helps ensure that building systems operate as intended and meet energy efficiency goals.

Post-occupancy activities include:

  • Using analytics tools to track energy usage
  • Verifying HVAC system efficiency
  • Scheduling regular tune-ups
  • Adjusting building controls based on real occupancy patterns

These efforts allow facilities managers to fine-tune building operations, reduce reactive maintenance, and achieve long-term operational efficiency.

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Building Long-Term Success with Smart O and M Construction

Delivering high-performing commercial buildings begins with effective O and M construction. Teams achieve more brilliant, more sustainable outcomes by integrating operations and maintenance activities from project conception. Organizations implement preventive maintenance scheduling to extend the value of their infrastructure investments.
They utilize CMMS platforms to track performance and enhance maintenance efficiency across their operations. They align with FEMP standards to ensure compliance and promote sustainable building practices. They prioritize energy efficiency to reduce costs and support long-term performance goals. These combined efforts help deliver value well beyond the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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Partner with Prismecs for End-to-End O&M Construction Excellence

At Prismecs, we understand that successful O&M construction requires more than just great design and craftsmanship. It demands a lifecycle approach grounded in data, training, and collaboration. Whether you focus on commercial roofing, HVAC systems, or mission-critical equipment, our team is here to support you.
Our team helps optimize performance, safety, and sustainability during every project phase. To avail of our operations and maintenance services, call us at +1 (888) 774-7632 or email us at sales@prismecs.com. Partner with Prismecs for forward-thinking O and M construction solutions that drive innovation and long-term facility success.

Tags: O and M Construction   O&M Construction   Operations Maintenance Engineering   Operations And Maintenance O&M   Reliability Centered Maintenance  

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