Why planned maintenance is essential for facilities managers
Whether you’re facilities manager (FM) for a single or multi-site operation, you’ll be responsible for ensuring all buildings are operating perfectly and those using them remain safe and secure at all times. While this may mean managing security and cleaning teams, as an FM, you’ll also be responsible for making sure certain electrical systems are functioning effectively.
In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the many reasons why a planned maintenance schedule is critical for an FM
Working to budgets
FMs must often adhere to tight budgets, so knowing the costs of all services required is essential. Reactive maintenance when a system fails can incur unexpected and expensive repairs that haven’t been accounted for. With a planned maintenance programme in place, however, you can balance your books knowing exactly what expenses are required from your annual allowance.
Heading off problems
Regular planned maintenance allows expert electrical engineers to overlook your system and ensures all its components are operating efficiently. This also gives them a chance to identify parts that are worn or have become outdated and need replacing before they become a dangerous issue.
Convenient maintenance
Using planned maintenance also means that you can arrange work at a time that is the least disruptive for you and those who work in the building you tend to. Maintenance checks can be performed out of hours or over the weekend. This can be ideal as essential systems such as lighting, heating and power supplies being down won’t impact the businesses on-site or cause disruption to their workflow and key processes.
When a five-year maintenance plan is employed, FMs can have the system tests performed at intervals throughout the term, minimising any interruptions to how the site runs.
Completely compliant
Finally, having an organised schedule for all electrical maintenance will ensure that as an FM, you have recorded proof that the site you’re looking after is completely to code. This can provide you with peace of mind, knowing you’ll be week prepared to pass any safety inspections with flying colours.
