Author: MaintenX

The University of Florida (UF) Shands Hospital highlights how taking steps to incorporate technology in your building or facility can save your company millions of dollars. Shands integrated engineered systems with its building automation system (BAS) and as a result, the Gainesville hospital saved $5 million during a five-year period and will continue to save even more in the future.

Intelligent building automation systems have the power to reduce energy consumptions and costs without sacrificing anyone’s comfort. These systems often have a large initial cost, but the investment and commitment to efficiency will pay off in the long run.

The building automation system makes intelligent decisions because it is fed the most up-to-date information through sensors which are placed around the facility. This data allows the BAS to manage resources and fix problems automatically.

At Shands, the hospital optimized the BAS to improve their energy savings. This increased efficiency helped keep patients comfortable in the facility while still cutting back on excess costs. In addition, alarm systems were reduced by 80 percent and work orders were cut back by 60 percent. All of this positive change was able to occur while improving the patient experience. The hospital plans to apply these energy-saving learnings to their new hospital set to open this fall.

While this BAS technology took huge strides in saving the hospital money, it also allowed staff members to focus on the job at hand– caring for patients. With all of the hospital processes running smoothly, doctors and nurses focused on helping the patients and improving their overall comfort. This shows the importance of efficient business systems not only for hospitals, but for facilities of all kinds. If a facility can implement changes to maximize efficiency, either through automated software or through other practical modifications, operational costs will be reduced and business practices will improve immensely.

The progress made at UF Shands Hospital shows the possibilities technology can offer all companies. This success story highlights the prominent role technology will have in our businesses and facilities in the future.

Summertime is in full swing and this means it’s hotter than ever. Intense summer conditions can have a major effect on your building, especially your roof. It’s important to keep your facility’s roof in the best possible condition during summer months to ensure the harsh weather doesn’t cause damage that leads to costly repairs later. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your roof this summer.

Hold an Inspection

It’s always a good idea to give your roof a thorough inspection once the summer starts for leaks or damage. Between the increased heat and frequent storms that summer brings with it, any vulnerabilities in the roof will be exploited during summer.

Check your Shingles  

It’s also important to carefully check your shingles. If there are any broken, missing or cracked shingles, you’ll want to have those replaced right away. If you detect any damages, call a roofing technician to help fix the issues.

Search for Sealants

Sealants and caulking can be easily damaged during the colder months of the year. It’s crucial to check your roof’s sealant to ensure it is still in good shape. You don’t want any water to enter your building during summer rainfall.

Look for Mold

Warmer temperatures and high humidity are quite favorable for mold growth. Inspect your roof for any mold, algae or other debris that may have accumulated.

Unclog Gutters

You’ll want your gutters to be clog-free this summer. Leaves, branches, dirt and other debris can back up and accumulate in your gutters during spring. Use summertime as an opportunity to clear your gutters and make sure water can flow through freely.

Cut Down Branches

Although large leafy trees can provide shade during the hot summer months, these branches and limbs can be dangerous hanging over your business’ roof. Broken tree limbs can cause substantial damage to a building’s roof, so it’s important to cut down and branches that hang over your roof.

Summertime calls for relaxation and merriment, but that doesn’t mean that work stops completely. It’s important to maintain your roof during summer months. With these helpful tips, your roof will be in great shape.

The facility manager position for your company is a very important one, meaning you want to hire the best possible team for the job. When you’re entrusting the success of your business operations and employee safety in the hands of your facility maintenance team, it makes the hiring process that much more important. Here are a few questions to ask your potential facility maintenance team.

Are you qualified for the position?

As a business owner, you want to make sure you hire a team who can handle the work load your facility demands. Although this is a broad question, it will give your interviewee the opportunity to explain their work experience and highlight the skills they have to get the job done right.

What are your strongest qualities?

The main reason you are interviewing prospective maintenance teams is to make sure their standards align with yours. You want technicians who meet and exceed your project requirements. The candidate should discuss their knowledge and problem-solving skills here.

What are your career goals?

You want someone who is as passionate about maintaining your business and help you grow. Asking this question will tell you if this individual is looking for a challenge and opportunity or simply aims to get the job done. This question should also reveal if they are passionate about what they do.

Do they have questions?

Allowing the prospective facility manager to ask you questions can show if they have a genuine interest in helping your business succeed. A good hire will ask questions about your expectations, hopes, and quality of work. This shows motivation and an eagerness to do the best they can.

Finding the perfect facility maintenance team can pose a challenge. However, with these helpful interview questions, you’ll be sure to find the right technicians to maintain your growing business.

In a field as all-encompassing as facilities management, companies are constantly looking to improve efficiency among their technicians. Assessing constant work orders and paperwork for a number of different clients is time consuming and requires strict scrutiny. Thankfully, there are many dfferent ways to improve the efficiency of your facilities maintenance team. Keep reading to discover tips to make your business model more effective.

Engage Employees

Taking the time to engage your employees can make a big difference in your team’s efficiency levels. An engaged workforce is very powerful and can be easier to motivate and inspire. Listen to your workers’ concerns, involve them in the decision-making process and catch up with them when possible. These simple steps will generate efficiency among employees.

Rely on Automation

Technology has transformed the way we do business and this is no different for facility maintenance. There are many different kinds of technology software available to help streamline your management approach. Work orders, action items, and even billing can all be completed online through harmonized online portals.  

Think Smart

Increasing your efficiency can in turn also mean increasing your clients’ efficiency. By making your clients’ buildings smarter and more energy efficient, you’ll reduce time wasted fixing small, minor repairs. This will allow you to better allocate your resources.

Use Data

Use data to discover how to improve your team’s efficiency. By look at work orders, customer feedback, and internal information, you can pinpoint where the most time is spent and how to improve that area of expertise. If technicians are spending three times as long on air conditioning issues, what can be done to increase efficiency in this facet of the company? Use your team’s work data as a learning tool to improve.

Equip your Team

Every team needs the proper tools to do work in the most efficient way possible. Therefore, another way to increase the efficiency in a facilities management team is to provide employees with the right tools and technology to get the job done right. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the latest and greatest gadget on the market, but having the right kinds of resources will ensure that technicians have everything necessary to get work order completed quickly and correctly.  

The efficiency of a facilities management team contributes greatly to the overall success of the company’s operations. With these helpful tips, you’ll be sure to increase your team’s efficiency in no time.

Although bugs are small, they can have a big impact on your business or facility. It’s important to take proper precautions with your pest control to avoid a financial loss or damaged reputation to your company. In order to help keep bugs out of your business, here are a few tips to stop critters in their tracks.

Dispose of Garbage

Your facility needs to have a suitable garbage management system. All garbage cans on scene should have a closable lid and should be taken out on a regular basis to prevent the attraction of bugs. Dumpsters should also be emptied regularly.

Seal Cracks

It’s important to prevent bugs from getting into your business in the first place. Seal all cracks and crevices in your building’s structure with caulk. Be certain to cover entry points for pipes as well, as this can be an additional way critters can creep in.

Line Doors and Windows

Another way to proactively keep bugs out of your business is to line all doors and windows with weather stripping. This will help prevent unwanted critters from slipping through the cracks. Weather stripping is an inexpensive option and is easy to install.

Change Mop Heads

Damp mop heads can be an ideal environment for bugs, such as fruit flies. To make sure your cleaning supplies don’t cause a bug infestation, change your mop heads regularly. To lengthen the life of your mop head, let it dry fully by hanging it upside down in your storage closet.

Hire the Professionals

Finally, it can’t hurt to bring in the professionals. Hire a pest control company to walk around your facility and inspect for any pest activity. They will be able to spot any particular areas in your building that are prone to critters or bugs. The pros will also spray the parameter with repellent to deter bugs from entering your premises. Be sure this team is well-versed in commercial pest control.  

Bugs can become quite the pests in your building or facility. With these helpful tips, you’ll be sure to keep critters out of your company.

It is very important to have strong fire protection elements in any building, regardless of the size or space. Although all companies are required to have fire inspections, there are still maintenance duties you can complete yourself to ensure that your fire protection system is always working. Keep reading to discover easy steps to maintaining your company’s fire safety.

Maintain your Sprinklers

One of the first steps that you can take to maintain your fire protection system is to optimize the sprinklers. It’s your responsibility to keep your sprinklers up to date and up to code. In the event of an emergency, your sprinklers are crucial to putting out a fire. It’s also important to never block sprinklers. Do not place tall objects near a sprinkler head and never paint over sprinkler heads.

Check Fire Alarms

Your system and alarm equipment are both important when it comes to notifying you of a potential threat. Your alarms should be tested regularly to ensure they are working properly. Simply pressing the “test” button on your alarm system will allow you to showcase the system is in working order throughout your facility. It is also helpful to keep the alarm sensors dusted and dirt-free.

Test Smoke Detectors

Similarly, smoke detectors are vital when it comes to indicating a fire threat. Replace your batteries regularly and keep the detectors clean. Be sure to never paint over your detectors either. There should be at least one smoke detector on every floor of your building, including a basement level. These devices should never be installed near windows or vents.

Maintain Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers give you the opportunity to stop a fire before it has a chance to spread. Educating your employees on how to use a fire extinguisher is very important. To make sure your extinguisher stays in working condition, make sure the nozzle is not damaged or dented, check to see if the pin is intact and frequently check the pressure to make sure it’s at the recommended level.

You don’t want your fire protection system to fail if a fire breaks out at your facility. These maintenance tips will ensure that your system is working when you need it to most.

There are many different aspects to facility management and being able to manage all of the moving parts is a key to success in the industry. When operations don’t go as planned, it is important to have insurance to protect you and your employees from financial burdens and legal battles. In fact, insurance certificates are most often required by federal, state or local laws. Understanding the different types of insurance certificates and what they mean for you and your facility is key to mastering this aspect of the facility management role.

An insurance certificate is simply the paper proof that the company and facility are insured. However, having your company’s name on the insurance certificate as an additional insured does not mean that your company is covered for every type of scenario. Often, there are situations where additional paperwork is necessary to gain additional coverage. It’s crucial to read and understand the requirements that accompany insurance claims so you don’t find yourself uninsured in a time of need.

The concept of endorsements or riders is also important to understand. An insurance endorsement is an amendment to an insurance contract that alters the scope of the policy. In most cases, an endorsement is used to incorporate additional coverage, but it can also exclude or eliminate aspects of an original insurance policy as well. For a facility manager or contractor, there are two types of endorsements you want to be aware of for ensuring your company is verified as an additional insured entity. One endorsement covers when a tenant or contractor is actively working in a building and another covers when the contractor has left the building. Having both of these endorsements is important to make sure you are appropriately insured. If you have any questions regarding your coverage, talk to your insurance agent right away.

Finally, understand the certificate’s liability limits. You’ll want to see the dollar amount you are covered for on the contract. If an issue occurs that costs more than the upper limits of the insurance certificate’s liability, you could be caught paying the rest. Having this knowledge can help you avoid costly issues down the road.

Paying close attention to insurance certificates is important in the facility maintenance field. These tips will make sure you’re properly covered.

One of the primary goals of any facility manager is to ensure that operations in the building are running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. The most successful facility manager is one who can overcome challenges and make the necessary decisions to reach the goal of maximum efficiency. That being said, even veteran facility managers make mistakes. In your pursuit of becoming a great facility manager, it is important to be aware of some of the most common mistakes. Having this knowledge in your back pocket will help you avoid negative consequences in the future.

Failure to Maintain Inventory

Facilities management has a lot of moving parts. There are dozens of work orders, and technicians and clients to keep track of – which can get quite messy. Tracking your company’s work orders and other assets is a key part of your job. You constantly need to know what’s going on under your roof. Don’t make the mistake of dropping the ball with a client because his or her work order got lost among the chaos.

Not Having Data

Another common mistake is making a decision without gathering enough data and information. If the data that you are working with is incomplete or outdated, it leaves too much to chance, which can cause major problems in the workplace. Relying on data to discover the most efficient solutions for your clients is a must.  

Lack of Resources

For technicians and employees to do well, they must have the necessary tools and resources to do the job at hand. If your team is not equipped with the proper technology, knowledge or gear, you are harming your own business operations and potentially putting clients and employees in danger.

Being a top tier facility manager is a difficult task with a lot of responsibility. With these helpful insights, you’ll be able to avoid major mistakes in your workplace.