What is BOMA 360 and How Will It Improve My Tenancy?

You might be familiar with BOMA standards from the perspective of measuring and defining space or as a tool for property managers to use. The BOMA 360 Performance Program is a new set of standards that helps tenants locate the highest standard buildings in commercial real estate. The Program judges buildings in six broad categories to see if they meet BOMA's standards for the highest level of management. Its purpose is to improve tenant satisfaction.

 

Although a relatively new program, BOMA 360 has demonstrated satisfactory results in identifying and defining higher-standard space. As of 2012, 94% of tenants in BOMA 360 buildings reported that they were "highly satisfied" with their building and its management, rating it either "good" or "excellent." 

 

What are the BOMA 360 Standards?

To earn a BOMA 360 designation, buildings and their managers must meet or exceed BOMA standards in six areas:

1.  Building Operations and Management: A 360-designated building uses BOMA standards for measuring floor areas and tenant spaces. It also has financial management systems and insurance coverage in place that conforms to industry standards. BOMA also includes a Green purchasing program as an additional environmental standard.

 

2.  Life Safety / Security / Risk Management: BOMA 360 buildings are safe. They are prepared for emergencies and disasters. Buildings also have safety equipment like sprinklers and defibrillators and get them certified annually after testing. A 360 building will also have surveillance systems and means of controlling access to the building. Because of these standards, 91% of BOMA 360 tenants feel that building security policies are either good or excellent. Beyond security, BOMA also requires a building to have a plan for ADA compliance before granting the designation.

 

3.  Training and Education: In BOMA's mind, a good manager is one that constantly expands their skills. BOMA 360 managers have licenses, appropriate designations and are committed to their craft. As a part of judging a building's training and education programs, BOMA looks both at the management team's involvement in BOMA programs as well as in other types of organizations.

 

4.  Energy: Another part of achieving a BOMA 360 designation is being energy-efficient. Before receiving a certification, a building will need to meet BOMA standards for its energy management and auditing practices. While a building doesn't need to be ENERGY STAR (R) certified, it does need to go through the benchmarking process and use some ENERGY STAR products.

 

5.  Environmental / Sustainability: Beyond energy efficiency, BOMA 360 buildings are sustainable across many of the same factors that go into LEED certification. They have recycling and waste management programs, conserve water, and have high indoor air quality.

 

6.  Tenant Relations / Community Involvement: Finally, BOMA looks at a building's role in the larger community. These include its relationships with its tenants as well as its impact on the surrounding area. BOMA also judges buildings and landlords based on their advocacy for their industry before granting a BOMA 360 designation.

 

Finding a BOMA 360 Building

According to BOMA, almost 600 office and industrial buildings hold the BOMA 360 designation. Buildings that meet these BOMA standards are available all over the country in markets ranging from Seattle to Miami and Boston to Los Angeles. Most are large, Class A office properties that are owned by large real estate investment companies and institutions. BOMA also allows buildings that are mixed use to apply for the designation, but they are only considered on the basis of their office space.

 

Many BOMA 360 buildings feature their designation prominently as a part of their marketing materials, making it easy to identify them. BOMA also maintains a list of properties on its website. A tenant representative can help you find a building that not only meets BOMA standards, but is suitable to your company’s needs.