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Assessment of Maintenance Challenges in Public Buildings

Abstract

Public buildings are important components of the built environment because they provide essential services for education, healthcare, administration, recreation, and community activities. Maintaining these facilities in good physical and functional condition is necessary to ensure safety, comfort, accessibility, and continued service delivery. However, many public buildings experience maintenance challenges that contribute to physical deterioration, inefficient building services, reduced user satisfaction, and shortened service life. Understanding these challenges is therefore important for improving the management and performance of public building facilities. This study assesses maintenance challenges in public buildings by examining the factors that influence the effectiveness of maintenance practices. It considers the condition of building components, availability of maintenance personnel, funding, maintenance planning, procurement procedures, availability of spare parts, and institutional management structures. Particular attention is given to how these factors affect the ability of responsible authorities and facility managers to identify, prioritize, and address maintenance requirements. The study further examines the impact of inadequate maintenance on building performance and functionality. Defects involving roofs, walls, floors, plumbing, electrical installations, drainage systems, doors, windows, mechanical equipment, and finishes can progressively reduce the usability and safety of public facilities. Delayed intervention may also increase repair costs and allow minor defects to develop into more complex building problems, thereby affecting the continuity and quality of public services. In addition to physical and technical challenges, the study considers organizational and administrative factors affecting public building maintenance. Weak maintenance policies, inadequate documentation, unclear responsibilities, limited technical expertise, poor supervision, and reactive maintenance practices may hinder effective facility management. The study also considers the role of inspection schedules, maintenance records, budgeting systems, and performance monitoring in improving the coordination and accountability of maintenance activities. Maintenance challenges may vary according to building type, age, location, construction quality, intensity of use, environmental conditions, and available institutional resources. Public facilities with high occupancy and continuous use may experience greater maintenance demands than buildings with limited occupancy. Addressing these differences requires maintenance strategies that are tailored to the functional requirements and physical conditions of individual facilities rather than relying solely on generalized maintenance approaches. The study concludes that effective maintenance of public buildings requires coordinated attention to financial, technical, administrative, and operational factors. Strengthening preventive maintenance programmes, improving funding and budgeting procedures, developing skilled maintenance teams, maintaining accurate building records, and establishing systematic inspection practices can contribute to improved facility performance. The findings are expected to provide useful guidance for public authorities, facility managers, and building professionals in developing more effective maintenance strategies that support safe, functional, durable, and serviceable public buildings.

Keywords: Public buildings, Maintenance challenges, Facility management, Building maintenance, Preventive maintenance, Maintenance planning, Building defects, Maintenance funding, Facility performance, Building condition, Maintenance personnel, Asset management, Public facilities, Maintenance management.