Who are SFG20?

Why was SFG20 founded?

In the aftermath of World War II, the UK was rebuilding. New office spaces and hospitals were being built, and there was a growing need for organised building maintenance. However, at this time, maintenance was mostly reactive, meaning that repairs were made only after problems occurred.

In the 1960s and 1970s, buildings became more complex and sophisticated. The drawbacks of reactive maintenance became more apparent, especially after the oil crisis of the early 1970s led to a new focus on energy conservation. Building owners and managers realised that preventive maintenance could save them money on energy costs. Energy-efficient systems required regular monitoring and adjustments, and planned maintenance strategies were adopted to optimise energy consumption.

However, there was no industry standard for building maintenance. The quality and safety of maintenance varied from building to building and from region to region. In 1990, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) created SFG20, the industry standard that set a benchmark for proper building maintenance. SFG20 established the same standard of maintenance for all buildings, regardless of their location or type.