27 November 2008
IPD has launched a new space code that aims to cut costs and reduce the environmental impact of running a building.
The IPD Space Code sets a common floor space measurement which it says will allow global organisations to assess the space performance of their buildings.
"Space management has been catapulted to the very top of the real estate and facilities management agenda, with operating expenses, staff productivity and environmental performance of buildings making daily headlines,” said Christopher Hedley, managing director of IPD Occipiers.
Ian R Fielder, CEO of the BIFM adds: “Any protocol that gives clarity on space usage in the buildings we use and occupy and supports effective decision-making on space usage and allocation must be good for the professional and the economy.”
The code includes guidance for optimising space usage, including minimising space per person, as well as conventions and rules for measurement units.
"Space reduction does not necessarily mean a worse working environment," the guide states.
"Plenty of best-practice case studies show that radical restructuring of the workplace can
result in a more than 25 per cent reduction in property costs per person as well as large
reductions in carbon produced, while significantly improving staff satisfaction."
“Although the impact of space usage on organisational performance is evident, uniformity in collection, measurement and analysis of floor space information remains a chronic problem in everyday practice,” it adds.
“Without a globally accepted framework for measuring and reporting on spatial performance, many organisations are either simply not doing it, or the quality and consistency of the data collected may be questionable.”
A free copy of the code can be downloaded from the IPD website.
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