What should K-12 facility managers do to prepare for the new schools year?
The back-to-school season is quickly approaching. Now is the perfect time for K-12 school districts to prepare facilities for the upcoming school year. This blog discusses what K-12 facility managers should do now to prepare for the back-school season.
Here's what K-12 Facility Managers can do to prepare for the start of school.
As Labor Day approaches, it signals a shift for K12 schools across the nation. Children are headed back to school. But, it also signals a changing of the guard when it comes to HVAC equipment and preparing it for the fall season and the ensuing heating demand.
To prepare for the new school year, K-12 facility managers should conduct a full assessment of major and minor construction projects and develop completion timelines. In addition, K-12 Facility teams should ensure that all school buildings and grounds are in good condition, supporting the educational needs of the school, its students, and staff.
FMs should also monitor indoor air quality, manage any pest-related issues, and compliance standards. K-12 Facility managers should take a proactive rather than a reactive approach to prepare for the new school year this fall. This will offer many benefits in the long term.
With careful scheduling, open communication, and deliberate planning, K-12 school districts can make the back-to-school season easier to manage overall.
These are the top 5 school maintenance tips for K-12 Facility Managers:
1. Examine the Roof
Roofs can take an absolute thrashing during the spring and summer months. This makes early fall the perfect time to schedule roof inspections to assess weather damage from tropical storms, hurricanes, and other warm-weather climate events. It is also optimal to ensure the roof is prepared to handle the upcoming winter weather elements like ice and snow.
Read our guide to climate resilience for healthcare facilities.
Temperature changes can shrink, expand and deteriorate roofing material, which leads to water penetration and damage. Therefore, it would be wise to ensure that your roof is well maintained to avoid further damage to the roof and the rest of the building.
2. Inspect Exterior Paint
Damage from summertime weather like rain, hail, and wind can really deteriorate the exterior of a building and make for an unpleasant place for students and staff. Re-painting as autumn arrives will help elevate the look and feel of school buildings and facilities while also protecting the exterior from continued damage.
Read our guide to post-pandemic planning for facility managers.
3. Evaluate Mechanical Systems and Air Conditioning Units
The A/C unit has been sitting unused during summer break. Dirt and sludge build-up quickly turns into odors, allergens, high operating costs, and even degradation or the possibility of unit failure.
A thorough inspection of all HVAC units to proper working conditions before the winter temperatures arrive is crucial for preventative maintenance.
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Air filters should also be cleaned or replaced to ensure good indoor air quality. This is also an excellent time to check the sprinkler and fire system. Finally, it's essential to clean coils, boosting operating efficiency and improving indoor air quality.
4. Pest protection
The warmer weather in spring and summer typically draws out bugs and rodents. Facility managers should take preventative measures by spraying the property's perimeter to keep out ants, roaches, and other insects.
Block off gaps, cracks, and holes where pests can creep in. Further, inspect for damage that pests may have already created during the winter months. This will ensure that the problem is addressed before it persists or becomes worse.
Read our guide to improving preventive maintenance.
5. Life Safety Assets
Life safety assets such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are absolutely essential pieces of equipment. All students and staff in the building need to have working detectors to alert in case of an emergency.
Regular maintenance equals long-term performance. So start the new school year off by taking the time to perform preventive maintenance to ensure that all facilities and physical assets are working correctly. This will keep everyone happy this year.
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Schedule a demo with our team of experts today and learn more about our easy-to-use facility condition assessment for capital planning software.
