Author: MaintenX

What is Water Autonomy?

Today’s green-savvy customers look for companies who take steps to be more climate-friendly. Taking such steps doesn’t just improve your brand’s public image, it can also become a positive part of companies’ internal culture while cutting costs.

By doing more with less, facilities that use greener alternatives to everything from their lighting to their energy sources create a healthier and happier environment for workers.

Below are a few methods to lower your facility’s environmental impact while saving you money.

Composting

Facilities today have the ability to reuse, recycle, or compost almost all solid waste they generate. Despite this fact, much of the food we throw out ends up in landfills. Composting programs encourage workers to put food waste into compost bins located throughout their facility. Composting can help your facility save money, increase employee happiness, and send a positive message to customers.

Sustainability

Many of today’s facilities have equipped themselves with smart technology. Smart technology allows facility managers to augment individual rooms’ temperatures and lighting individually. Other smart tech like digital restroom dispensers can provide real-time information about dispenser refill levels while informing cleaning staff of when and where they should service or refill them.

Taking small steps like these can help your company get a little greener without breaking the bank. By educating your staff about the importance of waste reduction while striving to lower your facility’s environmental impact, you can help create a more sustainable and brighter future.

Health Risks with 3D Printers

These days, it seems as if anything and everything can be printed on a 3-D printer. The applications of this technology are indeed mind-boggling. 3D printing seems to be the future of making things, from artificial organs to guns to miniature versions of famous sculptures. 3-D printing is poised to change the way we look at the world, medicine, art, and ourselves, and it’s becoming increasingly affordable. You can now print things at home in your spare time with a couple hundred dollars and a little bit of computer programming know-how. But what are the potential risks involved? Read on to find out. 

Plastic Worries

3D printers work by melting plastic “beads” or “threads” and then compounding tiny layers of material to form whatever object is to be created. The two main components used today are acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA).

Experiments conducted with these materials have found:

  • Some 3-D printers can create high levels of known carcinogens
  • ABS filaments produce possibly dangerous particulate emissions
  • Possibly dangerous emissions have been found in both ABS and PLA devices
  • Over time, emissions increase with both materials, as the printing devices age

Safety First

These finding could be enough to cause you to worry about continued usage of your 3D printer. But a few possible precautions may be helpful in avoiding harmful consequences:

  • Place 3D printers in a well-ventilated space to reduce exposure to particle emissions
  • Select 3D printers with built-in ventilation systems.

This is a new and developing technology. If you are interested or currently using 3-D printers, make sure you stay updated on new research as it develops to make sure you use this powerful technology in the safest way possible.

Quick Power & Charging Tips

Nowadays, many office workers find charging their devices troublesome – and not just phones. With the increasing use of mobile technology, the growth of the Internet of Things, and Millennials joining the workforce in greater numbers, no workplace should be short of convenient charging methods.

Facility managers should consider the following to help ensure they keep up with these trends:

Adapting to a Changing World

Many office workers rely on USB ports to power their various devices; traditional outlets aren’t enough anymore. Incorporate all USB formats, including USB-A and USB-C, and leave room for the innovative USB technologies still to come.

Roll with the Changes

Before the technology revolutions that currently mystify some in the Baby Boomer set, workers had to plug in to a power source to charge the electronic devices needed for their work. Those days are long gone. Today’s workforce needs to prioritize accessible power for many devices—with varying wattage and charger types—throughout the office. When asked if nearby power/charging opportunities are a priority in meeting rooms, many a Millennial will tell you yes.

It’s easy to follow your instincts and budget and aim for a cheaper option, but that will only cost you more in the long run. Our advice? Do the proper research: talk to your younger employees, and make sure you make power option choices that are viable in at the moment, but also in the long run.

2018 Higher Education Climate Leadership Award Winners

The University of Illinois won the prized 2018 Climate Leadership Award by Second Nature. Started in 2009, these esteemed awards recognize students who show exceptional prowess in preparedness, cross-sector partnership, and climate awareness innovation from institutions of higher learning participating in Second Nature’s climate initiatives.

2018’s winners demonstrate exceptional leadership with their pioneering partnerships and groundbreaking resourcefulness designed to wrestle with the biggest problems facing the world because of climate change.

The Climate Leadership Awards deliver the opportunity to revel in and acknowledge the astounding progress in the world of innovative climate technology while also highlighting the extraordinary achievements of educational institutions to inspire and fuel our industry leaders and inform the public about the risks of and potential solutions to climate change.

Second Nature is a nonprofit organization that works with many institutions, colleges, and universities across the country on the importance of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and showcases the rising stars in the collegiate environment who share their innovative ideas on how to meet the necessary goals to prevent the worst impacts of a changing climate.

To further honor colleges and universities at different stages of their climate education path, Second Nature and USGBC have begun awarding honorable mentions to six institutions each year, based on proven distinction and development within the focus areas of climate innovation, cross-sector partnership, and student preparation.

Is Active Shooter Training Necessary in the Workplace?

It is a sad fact that violence is a threat in American workplaces. Although thankfully still rare, workplace shootings and other violent acts are still a danger to organizations. Workplaces around the country are taking smart preventative action by creating active shooter action plans and investing in company-wide training programs designed to keep employees as safe as possible in the event of a violent incident.

Proper training can prepare workers for emergency situations by empowering them to recognize warning signs of workplace violence and to respond effectively in the moment during any potential incident.

Craft a Plan and Ensure Safety for All Employees

When crafting your active shooter preparedness plan, consider the following:

  • The various categories of possible workplace violence
  • Knowledge of and education about the myths surrounding workplace violence
  • Industry or company-specific areas of concern
  • Company-wide workplace safety training
  • Creating a culture that strongly encourages reporting
  • Action plans for how to deal with active shooter scenarios
  • Adding a company-wide, easily accessible, and anonymous hotline where staff can call to report suspicious behavior without the threat of personal or professional action taken against them for doing so

Although it is a delicate topic, it is important that you, your managers, and your staff are prepared in the unlikely event that your facility encounters a threat like this. Make sure that you have an action plan in place to ensure the safety of your most important assets: your people.

How to Make Your Roof Last Longer

Roofing systems have limited lifespans which vary depending on climate, exposure to the elements, build type, and installation method. Regardless, however, all roofs need regular inspections and routine maintenance to ensure a long, healthy life. Appropriate care and maintenance can prolong the life of a roof for years to come. 

Know the Basics

It is essential to understand that your facility’s roof is made up of more than just shingles. Your facility’s roof includes many working parts, including mechanical and electrical equipment, roof drainage equipment, and rooftop communication equipment, just to mention a few components.

Collect Data

Good roof management begins with taking an inventory of the current state of the roof. Firstly, you should know the number, size, age, and maintenance history of the roof.

Collect the following data:

  • Contractor and manufacturer warranty information
  • Maintenance and repair data
  • Changes or upgrades
  • Records of work performed

Facility Management Software

Facility management software programs that store and update this information will be very helpful. These specialized software systems allow you to track the complete cost of managing and maintaining your roof and other maintenance task over time. Many large facilities have multiple roof sections of many sizes, types, and ages. Different roof construction projects with varying levels of warranty and materials can become confusing and overly complicated over time without proper record keeping.

Want to know more about making the best of your roof’s life? Call the experts at MaintenX today!

The Dangers of Mold in Your Building

Mold has always presented a problem for facility managers; fueling this concern is the increasing fear that facilities are breeding grounds for what has been called “toxic mold”. Despite the hype, though, researchers have found slim evidence that links mold found in facilities to human harm.

That being said, mold in your facility should not be taken lightly. Molds can cause allergic reactions and respiratory illness that can quickly become serious and lead to long-term problems. The existence of mold can even create structural problems in your facility that, if unaddressed, can create even costlier problems.

The Hype

It’s understandable that people are fearful of mold. After all, some types of mold can cause serious illnesses. Despite the stories going around the water cooler, however, indoor air quality isn’t much affected by most common strains of mold found in buildings.

That doesn’t, however, mean that mold is nothing to worry about. Mold can cause respiratory conditions like asthma, for example, which has received scrutiny because of the increasing incidence of the condition in children across the country. There is no consensus as to the cause, but long-term exposure to mold could make a person more sensitive to mold and other allergens.

No matter what the cause, you should have a licensed professional survey your facilities in the case of mold damage.

Want to know more about mold and its effects? Contact the maintenance experts at MaintenX today!

Keeping Employees Healthy Can Save You Money

Health and wellness incentives are becoming increasingly popular across the country and the world. As a new generation of workers is joining and advancing the workforce, it’s important for companies to keep up with developing trends to ensure they get top talent. What’s more, companies can also save money on healthcare expenses by promoting healthy lifestyle trends.

While LEED and other initiatives come with their own pros and cons, it’s important to view each program with an eye on the big picture. Think about your specific company, industry, and physical environment. Rating systems like LEED and WELL can guide you in the right direction, so you’re not starting from scratch when developing a holistic employee health incentive program.

Office Design

As anyone who has worked in an office in the past 20 years will tell you, office environments have evolved. Individual offices were the standard for decades, then came the sometimes dreaded and often satirized “sea of cubicles” depicted in popular culture. Most recently, the open office has drastically increased in popularity in businesses around the world. Each format has its own effects on employee wellness, and your choice should depend on many factors, including the nature of your work, your corporate culture, and even the “brand” the organization wishes to present to its workers and the world.

Cost Considerations

What about the bottom line? This also isn’t an easy question to answer. As with most decisions for a facility or office manager, it’s important to set priorities. Health and wellness should be at the top of that list, but the individual setup you decide on should be well-researched and tailored to your specific company.

How Important are Acoustics in Your Facility?

Facility managers need to communicate clearly to ensure the facilities they care for are well maintained. But this isn’t always the case – sometimes because it’s too hard to hear inside the building.

There are many factors that can impede a facility’s acoustics. Ambient noise like outside traffic and operant machinery can get in the way of basic vocal communication inside a facility. Lots of hard surfaces can make sound echo to the point of confusion.

Luckily, there are several solutions. When disruptive noise comes from a facility’s systems, sound-dampening materials can be used to reduce noise pollution around the culprit machinery. For ambient noise coming from outside, consider installing multi-paned windows (which will save on energy costs anyway) and sound-absorbing insulation for the walls.

Privacy Concerns

Though being able to clearly hear speech is the goal in many circumstances, including schools, conference halls, and homes, it isn’t ideal in all cases.

In an open office scenario, for example, it might not be conducive to employee concentration to be able to clearly hear every conversation in the building. This is also the case in situations where privacy is a concern, either professionally and/or legally. No matter the sector or organization type, it is a good idea to create private areas in your facility.

Tips for Emergency Preparedness

Follow these tips to get the most out of your emergency preparedness action plan.

Communication is Key

Make sure to have a clear and concise communication strategy for facility occupants. This could be as simple as an email list or regular newsletter. Through this channel, you can communicate any relevant warnings if an emergency situation presents itself. By taking this simple step, you ensure your facility’s staff and occupants have the vital information they need at the moment they need it. This will keep occupants safe and give you peace of mind. 

If you don’t already have one—and you should—make a detailed, thorough risk assessment and emergency scenario plan for all emergency situations that are relevant to your facility’s surroundings, climate, and industry-specific risks.

Some examples of what you may need to plan for:

  • Hurricane
  • Flood
  • Power Outage
  • Fire
  • Chemical Spill
  • Active Shooter
  • Serious equipment malfunction
  • Winter Storm
  • Tornado
  • Industrial accident

Make sure everyone in the facility is aware of and familiar with each of your emergency plans.

Prepare for the Worst

When an emergency arises, make sure you have a plan to evacuate all facility occupants. If this is not possible, make sure to have enough non-perishable foods, water bottles, and basic toiletries to keep everyone in your facility safe and healthy during an emergency that prevents them from leaving the building for an extended period.