Development of a Maintenance Management System for Enhancing the Maintainability Performance of Masonry Commercial Building Structures: A Case of Bungu Ward - Kibiti District Council

The maintainability performance of masonry commercial building structures in developing regions faces significant challenges due to inadequate maintenance management systems. This study developed a comprehensive maintenance management system to enhance the maintainability performance of masonry commercial buildings in Bungu Ward, Kibiti District Council, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study assessed 63 commercial buildings to identify critical factors affecting maintainability performance through Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis. A multiple regression model was developed and validated to predict maintainability performance based on seven key factors: structural movement, salt crystallisation, masonry cleaning viability, render/coating condition, foundation-wall interface, damp penetration, and load-bearing capacity. The regression model demonstrated strong predictive power with R² = 0.770, explaining 77% of the variance in maintainability performance (F = 27.922, p < 0.001). Validation testing across five buildings showed performance scores ranging from 82% (Very Good) to 16% (Very Severe), confirming the model's discriminatory capability. A digital Building Structure Maintenance Management System (BSMMS) was developed using Python, featuring modules for building inspection, team management, performance reporting, and predictive maintenance scheduling. The system successfully standardised maintenance protocols and enabled evidence-based decision-making for resource allocation. The study concludes that systematic, evidence-based maintenance management significantly improves building performance and sustainability. The developed system provides stakeholders with practical tools for proactive maintenance planning, ultimately extending building lifespan and reducing lifecycle costs. These findings contribute valuable insights for building maintenance management in similar developing contexts and establish a framework for sustainable commercial building management.