Efficient operation of an office means minimizing disruptions. There is perhaps no bigger disruption to your daily routine than a mechanical breakdown of some kind. Whatever it may be, it can interfere with employees’ ability to work by removing vital services from operation, creating noise from repairs, or even rendering the building unusable. The costs associated with emergency repairs can be very high as well, impacting the bottom line. Inspections in these five areas will help you prevent situations like these.
Plumbing Systems
It is an incredible inconvenience to have problems with the restrooms or kitchens in an office. If they affect all such rooms in the building, the facility will have to close until repairs are made. Any issues with leaks, slow drains, backups, or performance of water heaters should be prevented by having the entire facility’s plumbing system inspected each year.
Heating & Cooling Equipment
Another major issue is climate control. A building that is too hot or too cold can be unsafe. A contractor should visit the building every year to complete a thorough burner service and make sure that the boiler is ready for winter. Valves, pilot lights, and burner setting should be adjusted for proper function and energy efficiency. Systems like these are particularly expensive when emergency repairs are required, so annual checks will easily pay for themselves.
Safety Systems
Nothing can get a building shut down faster than safety equipment that doesn’t work. Fire inspectors can revoke occupancy permits if sprinklers or alarms do not pass muster. Malfunctions are incredibly distracting, since they typically require the alarm to sound many times a day as work is being completed. A contractor should be looking at the alarm system and sprinkler system every year to avoid this situation.
Roof & Runoff Management
Water is a powerful force that must be managed by the building’s roof and gutter systems. If those two elements are not up to par, many problems can result. Water can pond on flat roofs, creating leaks that damage contents. Runoff can back up into doorways, creating messy, dangerous floor surfaces. The roof and gutters should be checked for leaks and clogs annually to prevent problems.
Data Systems
There is probably nothing that will stop an office in its tracks like a failure in communication systems. Today’s office is probably more reliant on data than on voice, but both systems should be checked frequently. IT staff should review software updates and make sure routers and servers are current to avoid costly crashes. Make sure that passwords are changed every quarter and badges are checked to make sure that you keep security in check inside of your office.
Inspections are essential to keeping facility systems in top working order. Without them, things can go wrong at the worst possible time, disrupting work and creating huge repair bills.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
