EMMY: an expert system for the prediction of strategic maintenance

Describes the development of an expert system that predicts strategic maintenance in residential property. An initial feasibility study identified a need for the long term strategic planning of building maintenance in housing associations (HAs). This is particularly due to changes in legislation. Under this legislation HAs are now financially responsible for all the future maintenance of new build property. To do this they must make adequate financial provision through a `sinking fund´ obtained wholly or partly from tenant´s rents. This paper outlines the development of an expert system that is the product of two years´ research, funded by SERC, in the Department of Surveying at the University of Salford. The maintenance system, called EMMY would initially deal with new build simple residential housing, and not with hostels, sheltered schemes or high rise properties. However, a design decision was taken to enable the system to be extended later to cover a wider range of building types