Author: MaintenX

In this previous article, we discussed the WELL building standard as it relates to business sustainability in both human and environmental impacts. The WELL Building model takes a holistic approach, looking at the way design can impact not only our carbon footprint, but the ways in which humans can work and thrive in the built environment. By using the WELL standard, businesses, architects, and real estate developers can create healthier workplaces designed for economic and social wellbeing.

However, understanding the WELL Building Standard and putting it into practice are two different disciplines. Below are just a few ways you can more easily incorporate WELL Building standards into your design and facility maintenance approach:

HVAC upgrades

First on the list of the WELL Building Standard is indoor air quality, as it is a top contributor to employee health in the workplace. Upgrading your HVAC system to efficiently cool and ventilate can prevent sick building syndrome while improving overall energy efficiency.

Modern water treatment systems

Wastewater is a primary contributor to commercial environmental impact as well as poor working conditions in many industries. By investing in clean water, your business contributes to the betterment of public health and the environment at large. Ask MaintenX about backflow testing and other water treatment services for your facility.

Modern kitchen design

It can be very difficult for your employees to eat healthily, especially if you do not have an onsite kitchen. Providing a small space for cooking as well as healthy and convenient onsite options can ensure you are meeting nutrition requirements for the WELL Building standard.

LED lighting 

Providing the right lighting to promote energy efficiency as well as employee comfort and productivity is essential for the WELL Building standard. Upgrading to LEDs not only offers adjustable and less harsh lighting for employees but can lower energy consumption tremendously when retrofitted throughout your facility.

Hybrid indoor and outdoor working

Providing a fitness center is not applicable for all businesses, but offering outdoor areas for walking and relaxing during or after the work day can promote mental clarity and give employees a break from their desk chairs.

Soundproofing

Modern office spaces can be loud and crowded, which can distract employees who are especially sensitive to loud noises or who prefer to work alone. Soundproofing and upgrading facility systems for noise reduction can promote a more focused and comfortable work environment for all.

Modern ergonomic furniture 

As more employees are adjusting to work-from-home options, they want the modern office space to reflect the chase level of comfort. Ergonomic furniture that is designed with comfort and relaxation in mind can help make employees feel happier at work and therefore more engaged within the office setting.

MaintenX can help you redesign your office space with appliance upgrades and design features that promote health and wellbeing in and outside the facility. For more information on modern sustainable building design, visit our Resource Center.

The 2020s are all about sustainability in commercial architectural design. As businesses prioritize environmental conscientiousness in their business plans, the real estate industry is following suit by providing building solutions to reduce energy consumption, waste, and harmful environmental impacts caused by new construction. One way commercial buildings are choosing to stand out in the market is by following the new WELL Building Standard. The WELL Building Standard is an evidence-based measurement for building health and human impact that goes beyond physical structure or energy-efficiency. It runs in tandem with certifications such as the LEED Green Building Rating System and Living Building Challenge, offering another way for commercial buildings to separate themselves for their commitment to sustainability. The WELL Building Certification is provided by Green Building Certification, Inc. and incorporates seven standards for measurement:

• Air: Optimize and achieve indoor air quality. Strategies include removal of airborne contaminants, prevention and purification.

• Water: Optimize water quality while promoting accessibility. Strategies include removal of contaminants through filtration and treatment, and strategic placement.

• Nourishment: Encourage healthy eating habits by providing occupants with healthier food choices, behavioral cues, and knowledge about nutrient quality.

• Light: Minimize disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm. Requirements for window performance and design, light output and lighting controls, and task-appropriate illumination levels are included to improve energy, mood and productivity.

• Fitness: Utilize building design technologies and knowledge-based strategies to encourage physical activity. Requirements are designed to provide numerous opportunities for activity and exertion, enabling occupants to accommodate fitness regimens within their daily schedule.

• Comfort: Create an indoor environment that is distraction-free, productive, and soothing. Solutions include design standards and recommendations, thermal and acoustic controllability, and policy implementation covering acoustic and thermal parameters that are known sources of discomfort.

• Mind: Support mental and emotional health, providing the occupant with regular feedback and knowledge about their environment through design elements, relaxation spaces, and state-of-the-art technology.

These standards go well beyond environmental conscientiousness and delve into the core of building environments that nourish the human quality of life and productivity. By following these standards you can not only reduce environmental waste but care for employees and guests in ways that impact the overall quality of life and long-term health. These standards are becoming common practice and really make a difference in tenant satisfaction. Sustainability is not just a question of natural resources – it’s one of human resources and wellbeing as well. If you want to move into the future and create a WELL commercial space, contact MaintenX to learn about maintenance upgrades available to your facility today.

As a facility manager or commercial property owner, your primary goal is to secure a reliable, profitable tenant for your lease year-over-year. This tenant will secure a positive cash flow for you, and make your investment (or managed property) a hands-off endeavor. And while most tenants want as much control over their leased property as possible, there are some services they still rely on you to provide for the building. Most facilities have a Fully Repairing and Insuring (FRI) Lease, which puts the responsibility for repairs on the tenant. This essentially gives tenants the power to choose contractors for repairs and renovations and guarantees the building will be returned to its original condition upon termination of the lease. However, property owners are still responsible for these three elements:

• Electrical maintenance – The property owner has legal responsibility for maintaining electrical safety standards as set by the Electrical Safety Council. This includes any necessary repairs as well as full testing on the building carried out every five years.

• Communal area maintenance in multi-tenant buildings – If the building is let to multiple tenants (such as in a mall or shopping complex), shared areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, and restrooms are typically maintained by the property owner.

• Landlord-owned fixtures – Any fixture owned and installed by the landlord must be maintained and safe to use. While tenants may perform maintenance on these fixtures if they choose, many landlords reserve this right to ensure they can choose the contractors and upgrades performed on permanent facility elements.

MaintenX can help you maintain your property with preventative care and affordable repair services for whatever you and your tenants need. To learn more about landlord responsibilities in commercial leases, visit our Resource Center.

Proper facility maintenance isn’t just important for operational buildings. It is arguably even more important when putting a property up for lease, as prospective tenants have a much more critical eye than current ones. If the bones of the building are not up to par, you will have a hard time attracting your ideal renters regardless of what your facility has to offer.

If you have recently purchased or are preparing a commercial property for showing, tenants will be on the lookout for these five facility qualities:

Modern interior design

When prospective tenants walk into your building for the first time, the interior design will strike them first. If you haven’t updated to meet modern standards, you will disappoint on the first impression almost every time. Is the flooring modern and stylish? Is the lighting bright and suitable for the space? If not, make these cosmetic changes first before looking for a renter.

High-performance HVAC system

In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, the single most important appliance for any building is its HVAC system. An HVAC unit that can’t keep up with the weather will immediately turn off prospective tenants, especially if they operate something like a commercial kitchen that already experiences high temperatures and increased ventilation demands.

Floor adaptability

Adaptive facilities are a great investment because they can be customized to tenants’ needs rather than marketed to a smaller pool of renters. Tenants prefer commercial spaces with open floor plans, adaptive layouts, and accommodating leases for their needs.

Sustainable appliances

Sustainability is a big selling point in modern commercial real estate. Not only is it an important part of many brands’ missions, but sustainable buildings can help tenants lower monthly expenses. Sustainable upgrades to HVAC, electrical, roofing, and plumbing systems can help set your facility apart from conventional buildings with similar features in your area.

Maintenance costs

Renters want to know that they won’t be spending a fortune renovating during their lease. By providing preventative maintenance service, you are taking initiative and ensuring that maintenance costs won’t be high or unpredictable for your tenants.

MaintenX can help you build a sustainable, low-cost commercial facility through preventative repair and modern upgrades to your building. To learn more about our maintenance and renovation services, contact your local MaintenX team today.

Commercial lighting is often a tricky element of interior design to get right, as the needs for commercial space are completely different from residential buildings. The ceiling height, lighting needs, and unique business operations will determine what sort of lighting you need, as well as the best design to accomplish your goals. While there are about as many different lighting options as there are businesses, these four are the most common for retail, medical, industrial, and restaurant facilities: Low Bay Lighting As the name suggests, low bay lighting is used for commercial facilities with relatively low ceilings (between 12 and 20 feet). They typically have a beam angle of 120 degrees which provides ample, even lighting across an entire building floor. This type of lighting is ideal for retail spaces, boutiques, single-room businesses, and grocery stores where a great amount of lighting is needed for a relatively low cost High Bay Lighting High bay lighting, in contrast, can provide even full light to buildings with high ceilings (more than 20 feet). Hotels, event spaces, warehouses, and other large facilities may use high bay lighting to ensure even coverage throughout their space. Like low bay lighting, this is the most economical and energy-efficient choice for even bright light in a commercial space. Flush Fitting Lights  While bay lights are the most popular and economical choice for retail and warehouse designs, they protrude from the ceiling and can be distracting for smaller shops with low ceilings. For restaurants, small boutiques, and mom-and-pop shops, flush-fitting lights provide the same great qualities with a better aesthetic appearance for low ceilings. Display or directed lights  Some businesses, such as retail stores and restaurants, want to highlight certain areas of their building to draw attention. In retail outlets, highlighting certain products with lighting can make them jump off the display racks and encourage more purchases. In restaurants, directed lighting can be used to highlight tables while keeping the rest of the setting dim and primed for conversation. This type of lighting can also save money on installation and lighting costs if used correctly. MaintenX specializes in electrical maintenance and lighting installation. We can help you choose the best lighting option for your facility, and help you save with energy-efficient options. To learn more about our electrical maintenance and lighting services, contact your local MaintenX today!

College campuses are historic institutions, but their architectural and interior designs don’t have to be. Today’s campuses have classrooms that are inclusive and engaging, and dorms that feel more like second homes than they do campus housing. The campus experience is changing, and so should your interior design structure. Below are some of the hottest trends in campus interior design that you can easily incorporate into your plans for upcoming renovation projects: Home Away From Home Often, the part of college that is most appealing to students is also what causes them the most anxiety – being away from home for the first time. They look forward to the freedom but are also nervous about making new friends and being weaned off the comforts of home such as always having a stocked pantry and people they know just around the corner. In order to make your campus feel like home, create community spaces with home comforts such as cozy seating, 24-hour snacks, and places to easily meet up with new friends. Green Design Gen Z students are much more concerned about environmental sustainability than previous generations. As such, an eco-friendly campus can be a major draw to new students. By designing with solar power, waste reduction, and plenty of greenery incorporated into the built environment, you can show students that you share the same values. Showcasing Student Contributions Classic architectural design may feel timeless and regal to staff, but it can feel static to students when sitting in a classroom. Instead of painting walls in beige, incorporate student art, inventions, and ideas into your interior design. This can help students connect to the college culture and feel more at home rather than being “at school.” Flexible classroom design Today’s classrooms are designed for hands-on learning just as much as they are lectures. Build spaces that can accommodate traditional lectures as well as workshops, collaborative projects, and individual studying so that every student has an equal opportunity to learn the way they do best. MaintenX helps college campuses across the country renovate to transform their buildings into environments where students can thrive. To learn more about renovation projects and maintenance services that can serve your needs, visit our Resouce Center.

Maintenance and construction jobs are some of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. In fact, roofing and construction workers both ranked in the 2021 top 5 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. based on fatal injury rates per 100,000 workers. While protective equipment and safety regulations can prevent some of these injuries, the best form of defense for any line of work is proper training. The Importance of Safety Training Safety training may seem boring to your staff, but it is essential. The right safety measures can save a life, and it can ensure that your maintenance staff have long careers ahead of them without repetitive or stress injuries. Nothing is as important as your maintenance staff’s health and wellbeing, which is why safety training should be the first step in every onboarding process. Safety training doesn’t just save life and limb. It can also be beneficial in these areas of your maintenance department:

• Safety training prevents repetitive and stress injuries that increase worker’s comp claims and decrease a worker’s career abilities
• Safety training reduces the likelihood of onsite accidents that your business can be liable for
• Safety training reduces improper equipment handling that can lead to shorter asset life

Three Steps to Successful Training

• Hands-on demonstrations – The best way to learn is to practice. Hands-on demonstrations can help your maintenance staff see how different protocols impact their work, and how it can save them from traumatic injuries.

• Inclusive dialogue – Encourage maintenance staff to ask questions and raise concerns about work conditions when necessary. This can help reduce your liability and ensure everyone is prepared before going to the worksite.

• Regular check-ins with maintenance staff – Ensure what you’re teaching in training is being implemented on the floor with regular check-ins with your maintenance staff. See if they are using proper PPE and following safety protocols. And, ensure you are fostering a work environment where safety is valued over productivity or cutting corners.

MaintenX works with all of our employees to create a safe work environment where communication and precautions are always encouraged. To learn how you can cultivate this type of workplace, visit our Resource Center for more.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the cornerstone of safety protocol for most maintenance departments. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing repair all involve dangerous work, and the technicians who perform it train for years to ensure they can safely complete repairs. They are well-versed in the types of PPE needed on the job, and as a facility manager, you should be as well. Below are the most common types of PPE needed on job sites, and what you should generally provide to employees when performing routine maintenance tasks: Helmets and hard hats Head protective gear is essential for all construction sites, as well as for any sort of rooftop maintenance. This type of protective gear can prevent serious injuries from falling objects or falls on high surfaces. Eye goggles Welders, electricians, carpenters, and other maintenance techs will occasionally need eye protective equipment to prevent sparks and flying debris from causing eye irritation and injury. This may also be necessary for plumbing services to prevent dangerous substances from coming into contact with the eyes. Ear plugs Hearing damage is one of the most common long-term health issues caused in construction and maintenance jobs. Loud noises from equipment can not only cause loss of hearing but ringing in the ears and even chronic pain. Ear plugs are a simple and effective way to prevent this. Noise meters Decibel readers can also help prevent hearing loss and injuries by ensuring noise does not reach a dangerous level. This is especially important for construction sites or urban areas where excessive noise may cause complaints from neighboring businesses. Face masks Face masks aren’t just used for medical facilities – they are important for respiratory PPE to prevent workers from inhaling chemicals and flying debris on the job site. Respiratory disease is not only very serious, but very common in construction and maintenance work, so it is important that you provide PPE to workers whenever possible. Gloves Work gloves can protect workers from hot surfaces, dangerous chemicals, and excessive vibrations that cause wrist injuries. While not always necessary, it is a good idea for maintenance staff to use gloves on all jobs to protect their hands from cuts and burns even for minor work. Elbow, wrist, and back support Maintenance work is hard on the body, so providing equipment that supports as well as protects can ensure your workers do not develop stress injuries. MaintenX provides all of this PPE to our technicians, but we encourage facilities to keep some on-hand for minor repairs and onsite maintenance staff to use. To learn more about our safety protocols or ways you can make your facility safer, visit our Resource Center.

At MaintenX, we often prioritize interior maintenance as it is the cornerstone of most business operations. However, maintenance service on the exterior of your building is just as important for the functionality and aesthetic value of your building. By performing maintenance on exterior walls, appliances, and landscaping, you ensure your property retains its value in the short and long term.

Curb Appeal 

One of the most essential benefits of exterior maintenance for your facility is improving its aesthetic value. This makes a better impression on clients, and will ensure your business stands out from the street. A business with a run-down parking lot, unkempt landscaping, and visible wear and tear on the exterior of the building will not attract the ideal clientele no matter how great the service is inside.

Employee Morale

Employees want to come to a place where they can be proud to work. Much of this has to do with your working conditions and service, but the visual appeal of the building can make an impact on employee satisfaction as well. If the building is a place where they want to bring their friends and family, it can make an impact on employee retention and performance.

Improved Safety

Taking care of outdoor safety signs, equipment, and ensuring hazards are removed or labeled can prevent onsite accidents that cost your company thousands of dollars. OSHA cites over 40,000 companies per year with safety violations, many of which can be prevented with the right facility maintenance on schedule.

Higher Property Value

Exterior maintenance can increase curb appeal, which is important to customers and potential buyers or renters in the future. If your building is highly attractive from the street, you can sell or rent it for a premium price as compared to if it is functional but run-down.

Reduced Pest and Weed Problems

Landscaping services help to prevent pest problems that work their way inside, costing your business thousands of dollars in potential fines and pest control services. Exterior maintenance can also prevent weed problems and other landscaping issues that will make your facility look unkempt from the outside.

MaintenX offers a variety of exterior maintenance services, from paint touchups to outdoor HVAC repair, landscaping, and more. We can help you create a better business with better facility repair. Contact us today to learn more!