Procuring greener schools

Handover & post-occupancy evaluation

The handover strategy is often overlooked but is fundamental to ensuring the building operates as intended. The handover strategy should include preparing appropriate operations and maintenance manuals and training of facility managers.

The staff and students in a building also have a significant influence on how the building actually performs. A key part of the handover strategy should be to educate the building occupants about how the building works and how to get the best performance out of the building. This process might include basic guidance on energy, water and waste management (e.g. turn off lights, how the recycled waste system works), how to manage comfort (e.g. when is it best to open windows) and who to contact if something is not working correctly. Education might be in the form of a training course, a web-based user’s guide or signs/notices around the building.

Click here to download an example of a building user guide which was prepared for St Leonards College Sustainable Living Centre (1MB).

During the Post Occupancy Evaluation (typically after 12 months) it is critical that the actual performance of buildings (eg. energy, water, waste, user satisfaction) is monitored and reported so that successes can be celebrated and lessons can be taken into consideration in future buildings. This feedback loop from operation to design is typically the missing link in the construction industry. To assist schools in learning from successes and otherwise, Independent Schools Victoria has established a Sustainable Schools Network.

Further references:

CHPS Best Practice Manuals & Scorecards (US)

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS, pronounced "chips") aims to increase the energy efficiency of schools in California by marketing information, services, and incentive programs directly to school districts and designers. To help school districts and the architectural community, CHPS has five Best Practices Manuals including Volume IV – Maintenance & Operations (M&O) and Volume V – Commissioning.