There are many ways to design a high performance green building including: active or passive systems, integrated smart controls or using simple architectural principles. However, regardless of how a green building is built, it will only perform if it is maintained and operated efficiently. A predictive maintenance program is critical to maintaining and improving a building’s performance.
Traditional maintenance programs can involve reams of paperwork that leave facility managers struggling to keep up or that can lead to maintenance procedures being ignored completely. Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) that issue and track work orders can be extremely expensive, and may not be realistic for small facilities.
So what is a facility manager to do? The right answer is always the same – simplify.
At the Earth Ranger’s Centre (ERC) some maintenance tasks are taken care of by a maintenance service contractor and others are taken care of in-house. These in-house tasks are made easy with the use of the BuiltSpace Building Information Management System.
A perfect example of this is how we monitor our Wastewater Treatment plant. This system requires weekly testing of over two dozen parameters, includes regulatory requirements, third party testing of water quality, and a careful eye on chemical balances, in addition to regular maintenance.
Take a look at the process for a typical Tuesday morning wastewater treatment routine:
- Take water samples at each required stage of the process. Send them to third party lab for testing.
- Start internal testing procedures. Using the facility tablet, scan a QR code located on the system to access the BuiltSpace Building Information Management system.
- Record parameters electronically as test results are developed.
- Save files, compare results to historical trends, available through the BuiltSpace portal.
- If needed, access drawings, contacts, safety documentation and parts lists through the system, without ever leaving the room to search for a binder or to access the internal building network.
- Record service notes as needed for future reference or follow up with external vendors.
- Check energy consumption and other trends with a single click.
- Have a coffee!
The BuiltSpace system allows us to electronically link to a lot of content and make it accessible throughout the facility.The task above is but one use of its application. Tenants and staff can report maintenance issues, and the facility staff can efficiently implement fixes and provide feedback to the user. Other assets can be tracked and maintained. The system can be as simple as you need, or replace expensive CMMS systems, leaving plenty of time for the facility team to focus on other areas.
As we expand our use of the tool, we’ll give access to our mechanical contractors as well, helping us further document maintenance and any issues that may arise during normal operation, without adding burdensome tasks on the facility team or its contractors.
To learn more about BuiltSpace Technologies, visit www.builtspace.com.