Common Commercial Building Maintenance Questions</h1> <article> <h1>Common Commercial Building Maintenance Questions</h1> <p>MySolutionSpot Editor — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:39:07 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Randy Crocker, Principal Owner of Hassle Free Commercial Services, gets questions all the time from clients about their property and what they can do to save money, prevent fires, and keep their building running efficiently all while keeping their clients and employees happy. The following list addresses some of the most asked questions. </span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><b>1. How can Energy Efficient Bulbs save us money?</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, the country could save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Reduction about 25% or more in electricity costs over a normal bulb.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Are available in different sizes and shapes in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><b>2. How many items can I safely plug into my electrical outlet?</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Add up your amps! Most breakers are 20 amp breakers, (if you are not sure what yours are, check with your building maintenance professional) which means add up the amps required for each electrical device you are plugging in and make sure that the total does not exceed 20 amps. The amps used by your devices can usually be found on the side or bottom of the device, or in your owner’s manual. Beware of space heaters, and microwave ovens, they use 14 amps – more than one on a single breaker will blow a fuse!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><b>3. What can we do to practice fire safety in our building?</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Fires can be avoided by following proper fire safety practices. The best method of fire prevention is the knowledge and elimination of fire hazards.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">First, be sure to check your smoke detectors once a month and the batteries at least once a year. Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustible gases in the air. Make sure they are installed on every floor, or are up to code per your county and state regulations. Also be sure that your smoke detectors are labeled by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">The following Tips should be followed very carefully for fire prevention:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• If an electrical device begins to smoke or has an usual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don’t overload extension cords. They should also never be run under rugs.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Comply with NO Smoking rules at all times. Usually, there are designated safe locations for smokers. Carelessly thrown cigarette butts are common causes of fires.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Always have and maintain proper fire fighting equipment.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Never block fire fighting equipment or exit doors. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">• Lastly, consult your building maintenance professional or electrician for any changes to your fuse box.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><b>4. How can we reduce our water and sewage bills?</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Toilet flushing uses the most water in commercial and residential buildings. Replacing old 3.5 gallon toilets with new 1.7 gallon toilettes can drastically reduce your water bill. However, we only recommend doing this for smaller buildings. And remember, with less water being used, less sewage is generated and thus those fees are also reduced. Alternatives to traditional toilets include dual-flush and composting toilets, and waterless urinals. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Have your maintenance professional practice preventative maintenance, even more savings can be realized through stopped leaks. Other water cost saving methods can also be included on sinks, washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and HVAC through automatic controls and with the purchase of energy star compliant appliances.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><b>5. Our generator doesn’t work when we need it to, what can we do</b>?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Keeping the moving parts in your generator is very important. As parts remain motionless, especially in new generators, air can creep into a unit injector solenoid. Emergency Generators should be started up every week for about 5 minutes with transfer load testing every month. Every year a full load test should be completed. A good practice is to schedule this along with elevator testing. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">In addition to running the generator on a monthly schedule, you should also perform the following general maintenance inspections and repairs: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Inspect Radiator fins monthly</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Check antifreeze levels weekly</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Keep block heater plugged in and warm</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•At a minimum change fuel filters annually</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Keep an eye out for wet spots around the fittings of the fuel system</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•The indicator light should read okay on the battery charger</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Ensure tight, corrosion free connections on the battery and charging systems</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Make sure the engine itself, as well as the engine belts are free of wear and have signs of any leaks</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Check oil levels and change oil and oil filters annually</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Check the engine air filter once for every 100 hours of operation</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">•Change the Engine Filter at least once per year and that the canister is free of dirt and other debris</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">About the Author: </span></b><b><span style="font-weight:normal;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Randy Crocker, Principal Owner of Hassle Free Commercial Services, has over 27 years of experience in the commercial engineering field. HFCS are contractors specializing in industrial building maintenance, fire prevention, and repair on: HVAC, fire alarm systems, plumbing, emergency generators and electrical systems in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Visit HFCS online at www.myhfcs.com.</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><b><span style="font-weight:normal;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">Link</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;">: http://<b><span style="font-weight:normal;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;"> www.myhfcs.com</span></b></span></p> </article> </main></body></html>