8 Facility Maintenance Steps For Reopening Commercial Properties

A model of this put up was published in Illinois Serious Estate Journal as a bylined post from Englewood Development.

Across the place, states are in a variety of phases of reentry and planning their ideas to roll back again stay-at-property orders that were put in spot to aid mitigate the distribute of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article in Englewood Construction’s property condition of Illinois, we are on keep track of to move into Stage 3 of Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois strategy at the conclusion of the thirty day period, which will permit places of work, manufacturing, retail and salons to reopen to the general public below specific tips. As the financial system reawakens and enterprises put together to resume functions underneath this new normal, business property homeowners and operators in nearly each individual commercial real estate sector should also be creating ideas for reopening amenities that, in numerous conditions, have been unoccupied for weeks if not months.

Part of that preparing method must absolutely require a facility maintenance check to be certain the residence is ready to welcome again tenants or staff. Just after all, just as most of us are emerging from the pandemic shutdown in desperate need of a haircut and with a laundry list of missed medical and dental appointments to reschedule, a lot of industrial services also fell powering on typical preventative maintenance appointments. As well as, some constructing mechanicals will involve added awareness immediately after lack of use, and automatic units could want to be modified to match new schedules. Here’s a record of critical items Englewood’s facilities management division endorses residence proprietors and operators evaluate as they get ready for reentry:

1. Ideally, regimen facility upkeep checks have presently been going on throughout the closure, considering that problems forgotten for a couple times or months – like a h2o valve crack or small roof leak – can simply escalate into massive difficulties. As a continuation of these checks, check out the house for a extensive walkthrough prior to reopening. Look at all mechanical systems, discover any issues and make a record of merchandise to tackle.
2. Flush sewer traces and drains to make guaranteed valves and seals are performing. Sinks, floor drains and bathrooms all have “P” traps that keep just adequate water to continue to keep sewer gas from mounting up into the place when they are not utilised frequently, the h2o in the P trap evaporates and sewer odor escapes. If this comes about, pour a 50 percent gallon of drinking water mixed with 1 cup white vinegar down the traces and the odor will inevitably dissipate.
3. Critique any automated methods that have been adjusted or shut off though the residence was closed, these kinds of as heating/cooling or timers for lights. If regular business hrs will be distinctive thanks to a phased reopening – or if some spots of the facility will continue being shut or full occupancy is anticipated to be decreased than standard – change individuals automatic options appropriately.
4. Many normal facility servicing and beauty “refresh” jobs are much easier to execute when a facility is unoccupied or has lessen traffic. Think about employing the weeks prior to reopening to deal with get the job done these kinds of as portray or new carpet/flooring installation, which is commonly categorized as essential business less than keep-at-property orders and can be properly achieved next social distancing measures.
5. Test facility documents for any annual residence inspections that had been skipped owing to closures – these kinds of as sprinkler system, fireplace alarms, backflow preventers and other objects – and reschedule with the suitable teams.
6. Start out rescheduling any preventative routine maintenance appointments that were postponed during the closure, which include typical servicing of very important devices these types of as HVAC, plumbing and fireplace defense. These trades are probably to get booked up in the months forward as a lot of home homeowners and professionals play capture-up on skipped services phone calls, so get a bounce start by scheduling them ideal away – even in advance of facilities reopen, given that in most instances this type of do the job is continuing under neighborhood keep-at-home orders.
7. It’s also highly recommended to schedule long run preventative servicing appointments now for the subsequent six months or extra. As the financial system returns to typical and additional and extra amenities reopen, there is probably to be a surge of exercise and desire for contractors – so get back again on observe with upkeep schedules and get those people appointments on the books now.
8. Finally, think about what speedy adjustments are necessary to put together the facility to reopen and operate less than social distancing tips. While some greater-scale reconfiguration may possibly eventually be vital and require the knowledge of an architect and contractor, a facility upkeep service provider can be a great source to retrofit a house with items this kind of as hand sanitizer stations, touchless plumbing fixtures, quickly opening doorways and other style and design options that can assist a business facility rapidly and safely and securely get back to business.