Understand and apply the SFG20 standard

SFG20 is the industry standard for building maintenance specification. It translates complex legislation and technical guidance into clear, structured maintenance schedules that help ensure compliance, reduce risk, and improve operational performance.

SFG stands for "Service and Facilities Group." This acronym encapsulates the core purpose and function of the SFG20 standard. It represents a systematic and structured approach to maintaining buildings and their assets, helping to ensure they remain safe, compliant, and in optimal working condition.

SFG20 was created in 1990 by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). Since its inception, it has been recognised as the industry standard for building maintenance specification. The standard comprises an extensive library of thousands of maintenance schedules, covering more than 70 equipment types.

SFG20 was established to provide a standardised approach to building maintenance, ensuring facilities management professionals have access to clear, compliant guidance for maintenance tasks, thus simplifying compliance with legislation.

Thousands of organisations across public and private sectors use SFG20 to ensure their buildings are maintained safely, legally, and efficiently, from healthcare estates and schools to housing associations and commercial contractors.

SFG20 helps organisations to achieve building maintenance compliance. By following SFG20 maintenance schedules and task guidance, users can focus their resources on completing statutory tasks and then take a risk base approach to the maintenance of their other assets. SFG20's team of technical authors stay on top of all legislation, regulations and best practice so you don't have to, saving you time and providing peace of mind.

SFG20 maintenance schedules contain tasks which are all colour-coded. Red tasks are statutory and should be completed to achieve compliance. Amber tasks are not required by law but, in many ways, are no less important and, by completing them, you will mitigate the risks of unexpected failure, leading to costly downtime.

Each SFG20 schedule breaks a task down into step-by-step actions, with priority level, frequency, timings, skill level, and safety notes — making it easy to understand what needs to be done, when, and by whom.

No — SFG20 is not a CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) system. CAFM systems help you plan and manage work. SFG20 tells you what work needs to happen. It integrates with your CAFM, CMMS or IWMS to deliver the “what to do” side of the picture.

SFG20 integrates with all other FM systems, such as CAFM (Computer Aided Facilities Management), CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Systems) and IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management System). Think of SFG20 providing the 'what needs to be done' to the CAFM systems so they can go and plan the required work.

SFG20 is accessed via Facilities-iQ, which integrates seamlessly with all major FM systems. With over 700 updates made to the standard, Facilities-iQ ensures these are automatically available in your system, with simple notifications and a clear review-and-apply process. This removes the need for manual data entry, avoids the risks of outdated paper-based versions, and helps maintain compliance and operational efficiency.

SFG20 includes over 1,500 schedules spanning 70+ equipment types and building systems — from lifts, boilers and air conditioning to fire safety, catering equipment, and building fabric.

SFG20’s dedicated in-house team of qualified, experienced engineers reviews new legislation, technical standards, and best practices. They translate complex requirements into clear guidance for FM teams and engineers, revising and publishing updated content to help subscribers stay compliant. With over 700 updates made annually, it’s essential to check you’re working to the latest version of the standard to mitigate risk, avoid outdated practices, and maintain compliance.

Yes, SFG20 provides comprehensive training through its online Learning Lab, which includes easy-to-follow videos to help users understand and make the most of its features. SFG20 also has a dedicated training team that offers a range of options, from online instructor-led onboarding to bespoke in-person training tailored to your requirements.

Because it provides a trusted, comprehensive resource of legally aligned maintenance tasks—structured, colour-coded, and ready to use—for a building’s fabric, grounds, and internal assets.