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What should Facility Managers do to prepare buildings for Spring?

What are the essential tasks that Facility Managers must do to prepare for Spring?

As the seasons shift from the dark days of winter to the renewal of springtime, many areas across the United States experience variable climate change from savage spring downpours to rapidly melting snow and frost left over from winter.

So how can facility managers ensure their facilities and physical assets are prepared to handle this annual transition? At Intellis we have you covered!

These are the top 5 spring maintenance tips for Facility Managers:

1. Inspect the Roof

Roofs can take a real beating during the fall and winter months. This makes spring the perfect time to schedule roof inspections to assess weather damage from ice and snow.

Read our guide to climate resilience for healthcare facilities.

A change in temperature can shrink, expand and deteriorate roofing material, which could lead to water penetration and damage. It would be wise to ensure that your roof is well maintained in order to avoid further damage to the roof and the rest of the building.

2. Examine Exterior Paint

Damage from winter weather like snow and ice can really deteriorate the exterior of a building and make for an unpleasant place to live and work. Re-painting as spring arrives will help to elevate the look and feel of buildings and facilities while also protecting the exterior from continued damage.

Read our guide to post-pandemic planning for facility managers.

3. Review Mechanical Systems and Air Conditioning Units

The A/C unit has been sitting unused during the long winter months, and that means dirt and sludge build-up—which, in turn, means odors, allergens, high operating costs, and even degradation or possible failure of the unit. A thorough inspection of all HVAC units to proper working conditions before the summer temperatures heat up is a crucial component of preventative maintenance.

Learn how IoT will transform Facility Condition Assessment and Capital Planning.

Air filters should also be cleaned or replaced to ensure proper indoor air quality. This is also a good time to check the sprinkler and fire system. It's important to clean coils, which will boost operating efficiency and improve 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 perimeter of the property 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.  It’s extremely important for the safety of all residents living, and staff working, in the building to have working detectors to alert in case of an emergency.

Regular maintenance equals long-term performance. Start the season off right by taking the time to perform preventive maintenance this spring in order to ensure that all facilities and physical assets are working properly. This will keep everyone happy this spring and summer.

Learn more about how software by Intellis can ensure optimal building performance for physical assets, facilities, and infrastructure. Schedule a demo with our team of experts today and learn more about our easy-to-use facility condition assessment for capital planning software.