Important Reminders for Your Facility Teams
The cold weather months bring increased risks to facilities, and, as any facility manager can tell you, preparations must begin months in advance. UG2’s operations and maintenance teams continuously refine our approach based on experience, evolving best practices, and the particular needs of a given facility.
For those still playing catch-up or wondering if their plan is thorough enough, the following strategies are essential when it comes to readying your team and your property:
- Create a detailed plan in advance. Involve your team in its development, identify key players for every task, and develop a communications plan to document problems and progress.
- Inspect HVAC systems and conduct routine winter maintenance. Check for and resolve air quality issues.
- Test heaters, thermostats, and lighting systems. Be sure to prepare for future issues by stocking up on supplies in advance.
- Inspect fire safety equipment from smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to valve hoses, water tanks, and pump houses; ensure that equipment is stored at the appropriate temperature and well protected from deep freezes.
- Attend to idle equipment. Drain completely, inspect for needed repairs or replacement, winterize, and secure in protected storage.
- Check pipe insulation. Inspect water, compressed air, and instrumentation pipe insulation for damage, wear and overlooked sections that may be exposed to freezing.
- Inspect sprinkler systems. Be sure to engage an expert—wet pipe versus dry pipe systems require different maintenance approaches.
- Prepare for power outages. Stock up on flashlights and batteries, portable chargers, and power banks, and have an electrician inspect generators, surge protectors, and smoke detectors.
- Review and reinforce safety plans. Revisit safety precautions such as guidance for using space heaters and backup generators.
- Emphasize transparency and communication. Firm up your communications plan, update and post emergency contact information, and make sure employees know where to report equipment issues or safety concerns.
More best practices and insights are available for your facility. Contact us to discuss further.
Don’t forget to partner with janitorial & operations teams to make sure your facility is ready for anything. Learn about winterizing tips, snow removal, landscaping and more reminders for Janitorial and Landscaping teams. https://ug2.com/janitorial-landscaping-winter-preparedness-tips/