Author: MaintenX

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has declared its list of the top countries for its pioneering LEED program, the world’s most lauded and widely used green building rating system. The list features the countries making the biggest impact in sustainable building design and construction.

The countries featured on the list are diverse, both geographically and culturally.

What is LEED?

LEED-certified buildings are more sustainable than traditional buildings, as they:

• Use less energy and water resources
• Are innovative in their green design structure
• Save money for families, businesses and taxpayers
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Create a healthier environment for residents, workers, and communities

The United States, the creator of the LEED rating system, is notably not featured in the list. The U.S. is has the largest economy in the world by GDP, and is also the world’s second largest carbon emitter, after China.

Canada ranked first on this year’s LEED ranking, with China, India, and Brazil coming in second through fourth on the list.

Germany and Sweden represent Europe; Germany ranked sixth, while Sweden, making the list for the first time, placed 10th. Both nations are regularly mentioned as green innovators for their improvements on existing technologies as well as their stellar leadership in bringing their efforts to the world stage in order to help facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on an international scale.

Two Middle Eastern countries also made the list. The United Arab Emirates and Turkey have both been praised for their green building initiatives. The UAE enlarged its total tally of LEED-certified buildings by over 70% over less than a year. Notably, Turkey has made the list for the first time in its history by coming in at 9^th place.

Want to know more about green building strategies? Call MaintenX today!  

When a business puts out a request for bids, it must include very detailed information. This information needs to include enough details for contractors to be able to decide the RFP or RFQ is a good fit for them and, if it is a good fit, how to respond in the correct manner.

That’s why a detailed statement of work paired with an equally accurate scope of work is your best tool for getting a correct estimate.

Statement of Work

Essentially, a statement of work spells out a project’s goals and performance needs in a succinct and understandable way. A statement of work gives a detailed description of the nature of the work, an estimated project timeline, relevant performance criteria, travel requirements, location details, and any special skills necessary for the work being requested.

This vital information lets contractors provide a more accurate proposal and cost estimate.

Scope of Work

Any comprehensive statements of work should also include a scope of work. A scope of work details the tasks a contractor will be required to perform to meet your organization’s project objectives. The scope of work provides the particular details, such as:

• Organizational charts for the individuals assigned to the project
• Lists of needed tools and equipment
• Project performance requirements
• Required references specifications
• drawings and plans, if the project deals with construction or features design elements which need to be defined
• additional resources and documents unique to the project that gives information contractors will need to give you an accurate project estimate

With a well-crafted scope of work and statement of work, you’ll be assured to get replies from contractors with all the information you need to make the right decision on the perfect contractor for your project.

A successful project requires clear objectives and boundaries to succeed. This article focuses on the idea of a “scope of work” and explains how a well-designed scope of work can help create the needed boundaries to succeed.

Your Scope of Work should include:

• A complete asset inventory
• Service matrix data
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Relevant and necessary processes, measures and procedures
• Expressly defined staff roles and a detailed summary of each role’s individual responsibilities
• The price of the structure as a whole, each relevant part’s cost, and service cost estimates over each asset’s life cycle
• All relevant budgetary information, plans for investments, capital repairs or replacement data, and facility management service requirements

Defining and Documenting Project Scope

Clearly defining your project’s goal at the very beginning—and controlling the scope of the project throughout the entire planning process is vital to ensure your project becomes a success

While crafting your Scope of Work, ask yourself these questions:

• What demands will we need to meet?
• How can we expand service line opportunities?
• How can we improve FM infrastructure?
• What data should be measured, how do we measure it, and how do we communicate it to all relevant parties?

Clearly fleshing out your project’s scope at the outset can safeguard you from project delays and headaches down the road. Make sure everyone in every step of the process clearly understands their individual role, and the roles of all other stakeholders.

Cost/Price Structuring

There are countless ways you can create a project price structure. A few examples are:

• Open book and fixed margin
• Fixed price per operation
• Fixed price per man/hour for different qualifications, with a fixed price for materials

Want to know more about Scope of Work and how it can help you get to project success? Call MaintenX today!

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has mostly replaced other tools as the preferred program for the construction field. Facility managers, reasonably, often want to leverage the BIM’s vital information to enhance building operations and general maintenance.

BIM is able to meet most facility managers’ information requirements. With better and more accurate data, prioritizing sustainability goals is easier than ever.

Yet sometimes facility managers don’t get complete data from BIMs. This is often due to their inability to articulate their asset data needs in a language the BIM can process accurately. And, because they lack the correct requirements, capital project managers and construction teams are left to guess the scope and scale of the information that the facility managers need.

That’s why, if they’re to be successful, facility managers need to learn how to define their necessities in the language of BIM.

This process is, luckily, quite straightforward:

• Specify needs
• Compile relevant data
• Validate numbers
• Deliver on goals
• Apply lessons learned to facility operations

Crafting a Successful Facility Information Specification

Scope

The scope of a Facility Information Specification is comprised of two parts:

• A list of the building elements (floors, rooms, etc.) you wish to track
• The specific information to be collected for each building element or asset

Building Elements and Equipment Tracking

What types of building elements (doors, smoke vents, light fixtures) and equipment (HVAC systems, pumps, valves) should be tracked? Generally speaking, the types of assets that should be tracked by Facility Management software should be those most crucial to facility operations and safety. But, if a new facility varies considerably from an existing facility, a new list will need to be created.

Want to know more about Facility Information Specifications and how they can help improve your facilities processes? Call MaintenX today!

What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel and other materials for metal roofing? We’ll discuss the pros and cons of metal roofs. That way, you can decide if metal roofing is a good choice for your home or facility.

Life Expectancy

If properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the structure. It will also

• Seal water
• Provide superior protection from the elements
• Survive high winds
• Easily protect your structure from heavy snow and rain

Metal roofs are also fire, mildew, insect, and rot resistant.

Warranties differ, but most companies back their products for 20 to 50 years. Paint finishes typically have a 30-year limited warranty.

Weight

Contrasted with the heaviness of tile at 750 pounds for each square (equivalent to 100 square feet) or solid tile at 900 pounds for every square, metal material is very lightweight.

Speed and Ease of Roofing Installation

An accomplished contractor can install these quickly. If your roof is stripped off and a storm is on the way, shortening the process by a day or two may offer a critical advantage.  Clearly, if you can shorten the duration of roof installation, there are also considerable labor savings.

Fire Resistance

Because metal roofs are noncombustible, they come with a Class A fire rating. Be advised, though, that part of a roof’s fire classification rests on on the materials beneath the surface that could ignite in intense heat.

Protection from Rain and Snow

Metal roofing is virtually invincible to precipitation like rain and snow, because of the way its panels interlock and owing that its surface is hard and naturally slippery. Dark tones of metal also quickly warm the snow that sits atop it, which speeds the melting process.

Project managers deal with significant challenges on a daily basis: staying current on project progress, managing facility resources, and keeping a budget. Doing all this simultaneously requires knowing every facet of a project, planning procedures, maintaining work management systems, and evaluating the project from a big-picture perspective. Read on to learn some tips that can help you succeed in these tasks.

Know the Project Like the Back of Your Hand

Like a well-constructed building, every project requires that its planners build a strong foundation. This involves knowing what the clients and the stakeholders need and an understanding of their individual interests and expectations.

Know Your Project’s Requirements

You must know the ins and outs of your project’s requirements. Project resources are vital factors. After the development process, build a team you know can implement the plan efficiently and effectively.

Experienced Project Manager

If you want the project to succeed, you naturally need a great project manager before you even build your plan. Experience and a long track-record of past project success is a must.

Define and Measure Milestones

To ensure success, you must define the relevant milestones you will be working toward throughout the project. These can include important phases, like:

• Initiation
• Planning
• Execution
• Closure

We advise carrying out an evaluation test after every phase has been completed.

Communication Is the Key

A consistent, effective communication channel must be created between stakeholders and clients so that information about new changes can be quickly communicated to relevant team members. The best thing a project manager can do for the success of the project is to maintain a strong and open line of communication at every level and at every phase.

Although there are many types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), some PPE requires that its wearers be trained in proper use. Read on to learn more about the newest PPE developments.

History of PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is gear (clothing, helmets, goggles, etc.) that is worn to protect the wearer from injury. Before PPE was used in the modern workplace, it was often utilized by the world’s military forces.

PPE’s Most Powerful Trend: Smart Technology

Today, smart PPE technology allows workers to communicate with their PPE through a network of sensors which are placed around a company’s worksite.  These sensors divide a workspace into zones based on varying safety regulations and PPE requirements.

Smart PPE Benefits

Companies that prioritize safety and employee engagement priority will drive this powerful technology forward. The hazard elimination and risk-reduction that comes along with smart PPE helps make companies safer and more productive by providing tools like:

• Real-Time Site Awareness
• Instant safety reminders and notifications
• Hazard Elimination

• Safety Communication
• Real-time team messaging (text, voice and/or video), safety alerts and can alert emergency staff when needed automatically

Personal Protective Equipment’s Real-World Applications

• Facility and safety staff will know when employees enter unsafe areas like freezers, metalworking areas and chemical storage
• Oil industry employees (Pump Operators, Wellhead Pumpers, etc.)  are automatically notified when they are working in an area with higher rates of accidents or injuries.
• Safety reminders can be instantly sent to construction employees when they are in high-risk work zones. Workers are reminded to wear their protective gear at all times.

Want to know more about the advancements of PPE technology? Call MaintenX today!

A top priority for every business should be maintaining and preserving physical infrastructure. When facilities are functioning optimally, the rest of a company’s affairs can flow more smoothly. When facilities fall into disrepair, they drag down efficiency and productivity, while incurring unnecessary expenses.

What is a facilities renewal program?

Put simply, a facilities renewal program is a plan to identify and comprehensively address physical infrastructure needs. Specific targets are likely to be HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical wiring, and roofing. Facilities renewal may involve either replacing these systems in whole or in part, or performing major repairs.

What are the benefits of these programs?

Facilities renewal programs can help your business in structuring and streamlining anticipated maintenance projects.

Too often, renewals and repairs are performed on individual systems or subsystems as they break down. This means that important decisions about the health of your facilities are being made in moments of desperation, rather than proactively and with a clear head.

These are a few of the benefits of a facilities renewal program:

• More efficient spending. If you’ve been spending too much on repairs lately, you’re probably not getting the best value from your facilities. It might mean that you’re not looking at the big picture. With a facilities renewal program, you can design a budget as well as a timeline for major repair projects, based on the goals and priorities of your business.
• No more putting off maintenance. If certain maintenance needs have been neglected or deferred too many times, a facility renewal program is your chance to address them. Not only can you plan short-term changes, but you can set a timeline for future maintenance projects as well.
• Newer and better facilities. By reallocating resources to make them align with your company’s current needs and goals, you’ll breathe new life into old facilities and systems. Problems you didn’t know were there will be fixed before they become crises.

Don’t let a backlog of maintenance projects keep you from getting the most out of your facilities. Consider a facilities renewal program to help address both the short-term needs of your business and its goals for the future.

Your roof is essential to your structure, keeping the elements out and everything beneath it safe. That’s why it’s vital to make sure your roof is always in great condition. Because the stakes are so high, don’t attempt repairs yourself unless you’re sure of your ability. If there’s any doubt, hire a professional.

Benefits of Hiring a Roofing Consultant

Hiring a roofing consultant gives you some significant benefits:

Cost Savings in the Long-Term

Using a roofing consultant can streamline the whole roofing process. Roofing consultants employ forensic analysis, which uses tools like:

• Infrared scanning
• Moisture metering
• Test cuts
• Uplift pressurization analysis
• Humidity readings
• Finding hidden wall destruction
• Identifying possible metal edge destruction
• Roof deck analysis
• Existing roofing material testing

Partnerships

Consultants are involved with many professional organizations, including RCI, Inc., an internationally recognized association comprised of professional roofing consultants, architects, and engineers who specialize in roofing and waterproofing, among other disciplines.

They offer an assortment of services, like finding the best moisture surveying method specific to a given roof, climate, etc. This is an important part of the process because consultants can find problems others don’t have the tools to identify. Once the problem is detected, the proper steps can then be taken. This can save you time, money, and property loss over the life of your home or facility.

In conclusion, engaging the professional knowhow and experience of a professional consultant for your roof’s design and unique building structure can give you a huge return on your investment while conforming to industry standards and complying with state, county, and city building codes. More times than not, it’s worth your time and money to hire a roofing consultant.

You don’t have to gut your existing setup to modernize your old-fashioned bathroom. Property owners now have many options to consider.

Lighting

With the huge number of bathroom lighting styles out there, you are sure to find one that fits your budget and style. Replace your antiquated lights with sleek, modern-style lighting.

Declutter

One extremely inexpensive way to modernize a bathroom is to declutter your countertops and storage areas. Many options combine style and storage; add some stylish shelves that match your décor. If you decide to have doorless shelving, you’ll want to make sure everything is organized and neat. This will enhance the overall look and feel of the room.

Update your Bathtub

If your bathtub is old, dingy, chipped or stained, you’ve got plenty of options to update its look without a costly replacement of the whole tub.

While there are hundreds of restoration methods for bathtubs, they all essentially do the same thing: prepare the tub’s surface, coat it with a bonding chemical, then apply a strong acrylic finish. You have thousands of options when it comes to color, texture, material, and durability.

Tub finishes that can be professionally restored include porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic, and cultured marble.

You can save yourself a lot of money by making this a DIY project by following these steps:

First, clean the entire bathtub using an abrasive scouring pad. Then, clean the surface twice, making sure to carefully rinse the surface after each cleaning. After that, use a 300 or 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper to sand the entire surface of the tub. Rinse, thoroughly dry it with towels, then let it dry for 3-4 hours. Finally, apply a bathtub or tile enamel to the surface with a sponge brush. After 3 days of curing, your tub will be good as new!