Facilities Planning Regulatory Requirements and Their Impact

Facilities Planning

Regulatory requirements and their impact on the design and equipment for Better Bank.

A new facility being designed, built, with a grand opening next spring/summer 2012.

Regulatory requirements impact for facility planning work to protect the builder or property owner. With most contracts the owner has the least amount of protection. Regulatory requirements often help provide some modicum of protection for the owner. As in the case of the American Institute for Architects for example, contract terms should clearly define the obligations, rights, and consideration or benefits for all parties involved (. That includes the builder, architect and owner of the facility. The contract is a tool that can be used to provide evidence of the agreement terms in case there is a problem disputing any conflict. Often most facilities planning comes from business arrangements that are amicably achieved among parties. However in times of confrontation regulations help to safeguard not only the stakeholders but the tenants, workers, surrounding community, and planned occupants of the facilities.

There are laws that govern certain building codes, schematic design specifications such as scale and necessary engineering requirements. The architect, engineers, and construction workers must conform to laws, code requirements as defined by the industry. Failure to do so could result in litigation, code violations penalties in fees, or even a stop action or halt of facilities construction.

Specifically state, federal, and local zoning specifications must be met in terms of setting assessments, programs related to use of space and site planning, water, sewer, electrical, needs, fire safety, sanitation, power or electricity, security, and community safety and acceptance. All equipment being used to build or equip the facility must be used by professionally certified and trained work persons. Equipment should have insurance, warranty, and retain qualified personnel to respond to any questions pertaining proper use or contact for repairs.

Color selection and noise concerns

Facility Planning mainly refers to the day-to-day services and products being traded within the new facility. What equipment is needed, what areas of space are required for servicing the administrative offices, executive offices, management, workers, customer, patient, or user within the facility. The spacing requirements for each of these groups of people must be adequate to provide the specific needs. In the case of a new banking facility. Privacy is important for each teller station as well as meeting cubicles for other banking services. Security is important in a banking facility planning project in terms of allowing for privacy with secured communications channels that also allow for shared channels in case of a security breach. Such as a panic button at teller windows to alert security to listen in or intervene while workers are services customers.

Color selection for a banking facility requires comfortable yet professional hues that give a sense of stability, reliability, and calm efficiency. Solid materials primarily wood, brass, chrome, or brick are often used in such facilities to promote a sense of permanence and legitimacy.

The main chamber of a bank must be very open and inviting yet accommodating to meet the needs of patrons while providing a sense of safety. The exits need to be clearly marked, and instructions regarding services easily understood once a person enters the site. For example, the teller window should not be hidden around a corner or in accessible for those in a wheelchair. Generally most banks are on a single floor with other floors for overhead personnel such as the administrative staffs, personnel department, loan officers, underwriting, and banking executives.

Security stations and/or personnel should be easily identified including surveillance equipment (such as video cameras) that is discreetly positioned.

The most important part of facility planning is to know the different types of patients will be coming in and out of the facility for productivity and efficiency.

Other banking services handled by individual banking associates may need a separate section away from teller windows, but positioned for easy identification and access as well by bank customers. This area should be maintained by trained personnel to direct patrons to the service they need.

Type of equipment

Computers, ATMs, Currency counters, Printers of cashier checks, documentation processors, imaging scanners, money orders, coin sorters, copiers, fax machines, phones, Safe, Safe deposit boxes, lock boxes, shredders, security equipment, communication equipment such as cable/DSL, modems-intercoms-projectors-television monitors-computer monitors, bathroom equipment, and sanitation equipment.

Electronic Items

Internet access, wi-fi access, computer networks, mainframes, LANs, document servers, backup servers, auditing equipment, IT support for banking software/applications, processors for imaging, database storage onsite/offsite for customer information, banking recordkeeping, remote cash box.

Examine budget planning and cost estimates

In order to forecast facilities planning budgets it is necessary to document any reporting of comparable projects accessible from the industry involving a similar market and primary budgetary constraints.

Determine budgets and cost for:

If possible access to ledger reporting in the previous fiscal year in order to validate projected facilities expense. Acquisition.

A review with any suppliers to be used that provide equipment, services, or products in order to gain current pricing structure and develop contract to maintain pricing agreements for a set period of time. Acquisition, Inflation, and Fees.

Human Resource requirements in terms of accounting, overhead, personnel, salaries, medical and other benefits for a set period of time, possibly 5-10 years. Fees Overhead.