search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
FEATURE MAKE A LIST, CHECK IT ICE The checklist for winter facilities management may be long, but the problems avoided by doing


preparatory maintenance is far more extensive. Preventative measures are a good investment in terms of safety, cost management and a healthy work environment, says Artic Building Services.


There isn’t much time left to finalise your maintenance strategy for the winter months. If you have a multiple building site you need to be proactive in identifying and tracking potential equipment problems that could be affected by the cold weather, especially those critical to the running of these buildings. Preventative actions today could save your facility time and money. Here are some top tips to help FMs prepare for the changes and to ensure your buildings are prepared:


Plan ahead The best way to make sure your system is efficient and able to handle the cold weather is to carry out asset inspections - in particular the outdoor assets, before the winter months hit. Years of weathering can cause your assets to function poorly and a cold snap can be the trigger for them to break down completely.


You can prevent this by fixing an issue ahead or at least making allowances for repairs as the colder months hit. If you aren’t sure if this is financially viable, think of the bigger picture - the operational costs once things have gone wrong.


falling winter temperatures and instruct your supplier to check the peripheral system plant as well such as pumps, storage vessels and valves. Also take time to review your operational strategy in alignment with your premises occupied patterns and the general needs of your employees. Constant re-evaluation and trimming of the operational timings and settings can realise energy savings for the company, reduce environmental emissions and reduce the ‘use-stress’ on items of plant potentially extending their lifespans and easing your company’s capital expenditure.


“Take time to review your operational strategy


in alignment with your premises occupied patterns and the general needs of your employees.”


Inspect your roof You need to inspect your facilities roofing and drainage systems, these are a critical point of risk when it comes to the winter weather. Roof damage caused by birds especially around HVAC equipment or places that water collects can cause leaks.


Inspect these areas and use it as an opportunity to remove debris and build ups of materials. Gutters are also critical to control drainage from rain, snow and melting ice. In severe weather gutters may not be able to handle flood- level downpours or freezing temperatures.


Heating and ventilation Your heating systems need to be particularly robust at this time of year if your employees are to work in comfortable conditions within statutory temperature guidelines. Arrange maintenance visits from your PPM provider in good time to check over boilers, heat pumps and other forms of heating system to avoid any potential problems when your system is called into operation by


52 | TOMORROW’S FM


Disaster prevention Prioritise any outdoor assets. Making repairs in cold weather can be riskier and more time consuming compared to temperate conditions – so it’s best to take care of any issues before the cold weather hits. Insulate all your pipework to prevent frozen and bursting water pipes. Water systems freezing up can cause catastrophic equipment failures, infrastructure


damage from water leaks or even life safety issues.


Prevent slips and falls


Icy surfaces outdoors and polished floors indoors are the two main causes of slip and fall


injuries during winter. When the weather fluctuates it’s important to keep ahead of freezing and thawing cycles to avoid dangerous slips and falls caused by black ice. Apply de-icers before a storm hits to lay a base of clear walkways. Consider placing slip resistant mats at problem areas and ensure clear signage and indicators are in place; develop a strategy for response when problems do occur.


Lighting With the dark hours increasing and the daylight hours getting shorter, it is likely that your facilities will need to power the outdoor lighting for longer periods at a time. This will increase energy usage. Prepare for this and increase your budget for energy expenditure throughout the winter months.


www.articbuildingservices.com twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62