fAcility

A facility is a place, amenity, or installed system designed to serve a specific function. In everyday use it commonly refers to a building or site—such as a hospital, school, factory, or transport terminal—but it can also denote the equipment, installations, or services within a site. The term may also describe an ability or ease with which a task can be performed, although this meaning is distinct from the physical facility.

Types of facilities include public facilities (libraries, parks, transit hubs), commercial facilities (offices, shopping centers), industrial facilities (manufacturing plants, refineries), research and educational facilities (laboratories, campuses), healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics), and sports or cultural facilities (stadiums, theaters). Many facilities are designed to support operations, safety, accessibility, and efficiency, and are regulated by building codes and industry standards. The concept also covers new construction, renovations, and the integration of services such as utilities, information technology, and logistics.

Facility management is the professional discipline that coordinates planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities. Typical tasks include space planning, preventive and corrective maintenance, energy and environmental management, security, and compliance with health, safety, and accessibility regulations. The life cycle of a facility generally includes planning, design and construction, operation, renovation, and, when appropriate, decommissioning or repurposing.