Operation & Maintenance Manuals (O&M Manuals)

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals are essential building handover documents that provide facilities managers, building owners and maintenance teams with the information required to operate, maintain and manage a building effectively. Together with Building User Guides (BUGs), O&M Manuals support BREEAM MAN04.4 compliance and help ensure that buildings continue to perform as intended throughout their operational life.

The Building User guide is a non-technical guide to how the building works and is designed so that the building users can access, understand and operate the building efficiently and in a manner in keeping with the original design intent.

The Operation and Maintenance Manual is a larger, more technical document which contains all the operating instructions, maintenance instructions, certificates and drawings relating to the building. This enables any Facilities Manager to find and refer to any relevant certificates, drawings or maintenance instructions.

Why do you need an Operation and Maintenance Manual (O&M Manual)?

A Building User Guide and O&M manual are required for compliance with BREEAM MAN04.4 Handover.

What Does an O&M Manual Include?

An O&M Manual may include:

• Operating instructions
• Maintenance schedules
• Product data sheets
• Equipment manuals
• Health and safety information
• Commissioning records
• Certificates and warranties
• As-built drawings
• Asset registers
• Emergency procedures

Building User Guides vs O&M Manuals

Building User Guide (BUG)

• Designed for building occupants
• Non-technical
• Explains building operation
• Supports efficient building use

Operation & Maintenance Manual

• Designed for facilities managers
• Technical document
• Contains maintenance information
• Includes drawings and certificates

O&M Manuals and BREEAM MAN04.4

BREEAM MAN04.4 places importance on effective building handover. Building User Guides and O&M Manuals help ensure that building occupants and facilities management teams understand how to operate and maintain the building correctly.

Providing accurate and complete documentation supports long-term building performance and sustainability objectives.

Benefits of a Professional O&M Manual

A professionally prepared O&M Manual can:

• Improve building management
• Reduce maintenance issues
• Support facilities management teams
• Improve building performance
• Simplify access to documentation
• Support BREEAM compliance
• Improve handover quality

How WPS Can Help

WPS can:

• Gather subcontractor information
• Review documentation
• Compile technical information
• Create Building User Guides
• Prepare complete O&M Manuals
• Index and structure documentation
• Support BREEAM MAN04.4 compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an O&M Manual?

An Operation and Maintenance Manual is a technical document containing information required to operate and maintain a building after completion.

Who uses an O&M Manual?

Facilities managers, maintenance teams, building owners and occupiers may use O&M Manuals.

What is the difference between an O&M Manual and a Building User Guide?

An O&M Manual is a technical maintenance document, while a Building User Guide is a simplified guide intended for building users.

Are O&M Manuals required for BREEAM?

They are commonly required as part of BREEAM MAN04.4 building handover requirements.

Can WPS prepare O&M Manuals?

Yes. WPS can manage the entire process or assist with document collation and formatting.