Facilities Construction Assessment (BRICK & MORTAR INSTITUTIONS)

The Facilities Construction Assessment (FCA) is a standard used by the Global Education Accrediting Commission (GEAC) to evaluate an institution's construction process and its adherence to relevant laws and regulations. This overview will be divided into several sections to provide a detailed understanding of the FCA.

I. Purpose of the FCA
The primary purpose of the FCA is to evaluate an institution's facilities construction process and ensure that it is in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and standards. The FCA assesses the quality, safety, and functionality of the constructed facilities, ensuring that they are suitable for the institution's educational programs and activities.

II. Components of the FCA
The FCA has several components that assess different aspects of an institution's facilities construction process, including:

A. Planning and Design
The FCA assesses an institution's planning and design processes to ensure that they meet the needs of the institution's educational programs and activities. This includes evaluating the institution's design approach, architectural plans, and budgeting processes.

B. Construction Process
The FCA evaluates the institution's construction process to ensure that it adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and standards. This includes assessing the quality and safety of the construction materials, the environmental impact of the construction process, and the institution's approach to managing construction-related risks.

C. Safety and Security
The FCA assesses the safety and security of the constructed facilities to ensure that they meet the needs of the institution's educational programs and activities. This includes evaluating the accessibility and usability of the facilities, the security systems in place, and the institution's emergency response plans.

III. Process of the FCA
The FCA process involves several steps, including:

A. Self-Evaluation
Institutions seeking accreditation must first conduct a self-evaluation of their facilities construction process, including their planning and design, construction process, and safety and security measures. This self-evaluation is used to identify any areas of weakness or opportunities for improvement.

B. External Review
After the self-evaluation, an external team of evaluators visits the institution to conduct an evaluation of the institution's facilities construction process. This evaluation includes a review of relevant documents, a tour of the facilities, and an assessment of the institution's compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and standards.

C. Report and Recommendations
The external team of evaluators prepares a report detailing their findings and recommendations regarding the institution's facilities construction process. This report is submitted to the GEAC committee for review and a final decision.

IV. Benefits of the FCA
The FCA provides several benefits for institutions seeking accreditation, including:

A. Improved Facilities Construction Process
The FCA helps institutions improve the quality, safety, and functionality of their constructed facilities, ensuring that they are suitable for the institution's educational programs and activities.

B. Compliance with Relevant Laws and Regulations
The FCA ensures that institutions adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and standards in their facilities construction process, minimizing the risk of legal or regulatory issues.

C. Recognition of Excellence
Institutions that meet the FCA standards are recognized for their excellence in facilities construction, demonstrating their commitment to providing students with safe, functional, and accessible facilities.

D. Ongoing Improvement
The FCA requires institutions to engage in ongoing evaluation and improvement of their facilities construction process, ensuring that they continue to provide students with the best possible facilities for their educational programs and activities.