Abstract
Like any other edifices, public buildings require regular maintenance to preserve their original aesthetic and functionality. South Africa is among the countries that view the broad adoption of sustainable construction as the future of the building industry. However, it does appear that sustainability principles have not been optimally incorporated into the building maintenance strategies in SA, particularly in the case of public buildings in South Africa, due to the complex challenges that the country experiences. Hence, this research aims to evaluate the sustainable maintenance management strategies for public edifices in South Africa. This is to identify the maintenance management strategy that can best foster sustainable management in the South African building sector. Moreover, the evaluation aims to determine the factors influencing the management of the maintenance of public buildings in South Africa. This requires the determination of the maintenance management strategies that can be adopted to promote sustainability. Specifically, the investigation seeks to establish the benefits of the sustainable maintenance management of public buildings in South Africa. This calls for an assessment of the factors influencing the development of the South African building industry. Ultimately, the study aims to identify the maintenance technique that can prevent the deterioration of public edifices.”
“The data used in this study was derived from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to registered and non-registered construction professionals operating in the South African building sector. The secondary data were gathered by conducting a detailed literature review. Out of the 150 questionnaires disseminated, 123 were returned, response rate of 82%. These two data sets were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that preventive and predictive maintenance methods are the best maintenance management strategies to promote sustainable management. The lack of preventive maintenance, unqualified maintenance contractors, insufficient funds, inadequate knowledge of maintenance, insufficient maintenance supervision, and the lack of spare parts were identified as the factors influencing the maintenance management of public edifices in South Africa. Furthermore, preventive, and predictive maintenance emerged as the maintenance management strategies that can promote the sustainability of public buildings. Moreover, increased asset lifespan, improved life quality, reduced operating and maintenance costs, improved workers’ health and safety, enhanced occupants’ productivity, and improved aesthetic were identified as the benefits of the sustainable maintenance management of public
vii
edifices in South Africa. Lastly, the study revealed an increase in the cost of construction materials, the availability of suitable construction land, the shortage of skilled and the lack of skills, poverty, and infrastructure availability as factors hampering the development of South Africa’s building industry. Thus, the study recommended the implementation of a system that can detect building defects before any damage is sustained, to ensure maintainable and sustainable public buildings.
Keywords: Maintenance, sustainable, management, buildings, edifices, construction.