BUILDING CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MALAYSIAN POLYTECHNICS USING BCARS: A DATA-DRIVEN MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

Abstract

Building maintenance in higher education institutions is a critical aspect of ensuring safety, functionality, and long-term sustainability. However, the prioritization of maintenance budgets is often subjective and reactive. This study aims to assess the condition of polytechnic buildings in Malaysia using the Building Condition Assessment Rating System (BCARS) and to analyse the relationship between condition scores and budget allocation priorities. A cross-sectional building condition survey was conducted across six Malaysian polytechnics. The BCARS instrument was applied to assess defects in civil, mechanical, and electrical components. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression were performed. Three polytechnics were classified as critical to very critical. Civil component defects contributed the most to overall BCARS scores (β = .72, p < .01). Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between the number of defects and BCARS scores (r = .85, p < .05). Pareto analysis confirmed that approximately 80% of the total condition score was driven by four key components: walls, ceilings, doors, and roofs. The findings highlight the potential of BCARS as a data-driven decision support tool for prioritizing maintenance budgets. A focus on critical few components can significantly reduce deterioration risk and optimize limited resources. This study emphasizes that BCARS can help facility managers make maintenance budget decisions more systematically, transparently, and effectively, thereby supporting the sustainability of TVET education facilities in Malaysia.