Effective facility management is essential to keep operations running smoothly, safely, and sustainably. As industrial parks, warehouses, and logistics centres take on a growing role in the global supply chain, expectations around operational excellence and technical standards continues to rise. This article will explore common challenges in industrial facility management and offer practical solutions to enhance efficiency and performance.

1. Fire safety: Combining standards with proactive monitoring. 

Issues 

• Warehouses with goods stacked high (8–12 meters) or containing flammable items need stronger fire protection than a basic system. 
• Sprinklers alone may not be enough, especially if a fire starts in a hidden area and is undetectable. 
• Many fire protection systems are not connected to central control systems like SCADA or BMS, making it harder to monitor and respond to issues in real time. 

Savills tips  

• Use early warning systems like smoke detection cameras, temperature sensors on racks, and smart (IoT) alerts to spot fires quickly. 
• Identify high-risk fire zones in the warehouse and create clear safety protocols for each area. 
• Link the fire safety system to a central monitoring platform (like a BMS) to keep track of pressure tanks, valves, and leaks. 
• Run practice drills involving all departments, not just the fire safety team, to prepare for real-life situations. 

2. Internal traffic management and access control security: Ensuring safety and high load-bearing infrastructure. 

Issues 

• Lacking a real-time access control system delays behaviour tracking, theft prevention, and emergency response. 
• Many industrial sites are switching from manufacturing to logistics without upgrading their roads. 
• Roads wear out quickly if they're not built to handle the heavy movement of containers, especially when turning, braking, or parking. 
• Poor drainage causes water to collect, and over time leads to sinking and damage. 

Savills tips 

• Check how much weight the roads can handle and plan upgrades accordingly. 
• Set up a regular (every 5–10 years) road maintenance schedule based on daily interactions. 
• Use an internal traffic map with load tracking and number plate recognition cameras. 
• Add speed bumps, separate traffic lanes, and smart waiting areas to reduce congestion at busy times. 
• Integrate the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system, access control, and container tracking into the central platform (BMS). 
• Establish end-to-end container inspection procedures, especially in warehouses leased by multiple logistics partners. 

3. Energy management: Optimising costs and stabilising technical systems 

Issues  

• Cold storage and high-tech factories running 24/7 without a proper monitoring system. 
• Problems at substations, capacitor banks, or refrigeration units can disrupt the cold chain and damage products. 
• Many sites do not have alerts for unusual energy use, causing slow responses to issues. 

Savills tips

• Set up an energy management system (EMS) linked to SCADA/BMS to monitor power use in real time. 
• Set alert limits for refrigeration systems (temperature, humidity, pressure) to warn when levels exceed safe ranges. 
• Review seasonal energy use, work schedules, and warehouse activity to plan costs more efficiently. 
• Train staff on power distribution, load testing, and equipment standards. 

4. Environmental management: Linking operations with legal responsibilities and corporate image 

Issues 

• Projects lack operational logs for wastewater treatment systems (WWTP), making data retrieval difficult during inspections or incidents. 
• There are no regular monitoring processes for the quality of treated wastewater using certified laboratories. 
• Projects have not implemented waste classification and storage systems in accordance with Decree 45/2022/ND-CP. 

Savills tips 

• Develop operational and inspection procedures, with a digital dashboard displaying flow, pH, and TSS sensors.Clearly define waste handling contracts, requiring licensed waste transport and disposal, and retain invoices for periodic inspections. 
• Implement reporting systems to compile operational data, sample records, and results on a monthly/quarterly basis. 
• Invest in sustainable landscaping within the premises, installing waste collection routes for segregation and creating hazardous waste storage areas with barriers and signage. 

Conclusion

Managing the facilities of industrial sites is a complex task that requires close coordination among various departments. Implementing modern management standards, conducting regular maintenance, applying technology, and focusing on environmental responsibilities will enhance operational efficiency, ensure safety, and promote sustainable development for industrial parks. 

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Read more: Key Considerations in Industrial Project Operations