Pathology and maintenance in the construction sector

Over the last few decades, the construction industry has taken on a new lease of life, and this is currently enabling it to continue its steady growth.

Nowadays, it's no longer appropriate to build at the forced pace demanded by the destruction and abandonment of buildings after the last war. The emphasis is now on maintaining and rehabilitating older buildings, and in particular on improving their comfort and safety.

Good management obviously requires good maintenance of existing assets. Conversely, lack of maintenance quickly leads to insalubrity, decay and even ruin, not to mention slums.

To meet these demands, the construction industry has adapted and modified its structures. As a result, there are now two distinct entities involved in building work:

• new works ;

• maintenance/rehabilitation work, as well as repairs following a fault or disaster.