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[B973]Building Maintenance And Repair

by John Read, Joh

Paying attention to office design and building maintenance are imperative parts to doing business that many business owners neglect. The design of office interiors can have a profound consequence on the mood and production of employees and executives. Providing a well-maintained office is crucial in regards to health and safety concerns. Through the use of proper design and upkeep, companies are able to benefit from some amount of control over the gladness, well-being, and effectiveness of not only their employees, but themselves as well.
It would seem to be obvious that the better off and healthier an individual is, the more prolific that person will be. Even if company owners might appreciate this idea, they quite often disregard the effects that office design can have on their workers. Many times, building maintenance is neglected, resulting in terrible air quality or hazardous areas within the place of work. Additionally, the incorrect colors, equipment setup, or level of noise can negatively effect the temperment and minds of those operating within such conditions.
One great way to commence improving office design is to think about the quantity of untidiness that is currently in the office. Office interiors that allow little room for people to move can create feelings of being "closed in" or claustrophobia. Most home offices wind up set up in this style, with an excess of office equipment or furniture using up most of the available space. By opening the room up and producing space, many individuals will get a sense of freedom. What must be realized is that these sensations can turn into a more positive mood, more interaction with others, and more teamwork.
Transporting in plants and flowers can have a wonderful effect on the individuals working in a place of work. Office interiors filled with nature can have a calming effect. When an office is too sterile, individuals can again feel closed in, which could result in a more antagonistic atmosphere. Try utilizing windows that expose vast lawns or garden areas. One more helpful idea to improve office design is to be attentive to the noise level. If workplace equipment or nearby traffic are too deafening, the din can have a depressing impact on those working. Try utilizing extra rugs, curtains, or office dividers to help with any extra noise.
An office design change could be required when the office interiors are comprised of design ideas and furniture from two to three decades ago. A lot of older office places are made murky with dim colored furniture, carpets and curtains. By reorganizing the office with more vivid colors and more open spaces, the work atmosphere can be changed from a routine experience to one that aids to bring a cheerful and peaceful feeling to everyone who enters the new space.
Building maintenance should be looked at when going through any office design modifications. Maintenance is required to keep all facets of the place of business in excellent working condition. Normal office cleanings keep the workspace free from dust and dirt. Things such as the roof must be sustained in order to avert water leaks, which will just bring about more costs to the business when the inside of the place of business experiences water damage.
One aspect to building maintenance that is usually disregarded is the air quality. Any office design arrangement needs to include the correct total of waste cans to collect waste the right way. Refrigerators need to be in any kitchen spot to avoid food from going bad. All waste needs to be disposed of in a timely manner. Plants and flowers need to be kept watered and maintained. Keep furniture away from all vents and be sure to maintain all air conditioning and heating systems.
Even if all offices have precise actions that need to be acted upon during the course of every work day in order to be prolific, by no means underestimate the influence that the right office design and building maintenance can have on the people in charge of completing each duty. Whether working in a home office or a big corporate building, office interiors are a major aspect to creating the ambience that best helps bring in the earnings everyone is worried about .

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.

1. How can Energy Efficient Bulbs save us money?
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.
? ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
? Reduction about 25% or more in electricity costs over a normal bulb.
? Produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.
? Are available in different sizes and shapes in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors.

2. How many items can I safely plug into my electrical outlet?
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!

3. What can we do to practice fire safety in our building?
Fires can be avoided by following proper fire safety practices. The best method of fire prevention is the knowledge and elimination of fire hazards.

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).

The following Tips should be followed very carefully for fire prevention:
? Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave.
? If an electrical device begins to smoke or has an usual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired.
? Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don't overload extension cords. They should also never be run under rugs.
?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.
? Always have and maintain proper fire fighting equipment.
? Never block fire fighting equipment or exit doors.
? Lastly, consult your building maintenance professional or electrician for any changes to your fuse box.

4. How can we reduce our water and sewage bills?
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.

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.

5. Our generator doesn't work when we need it to, what can we do?
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.

In addition to running the generator on a monthly schedule, you should also perform the following general maintenance inspections and repairs:
?Inspect Radiator fins monthly
?Check antifreeze levels weekly
?Keep block heater plugged in and warm
?At a minimum change fuel filters annually
?Keep an eye out for wet spots around the fittings of the fuel system
?The indicator light should read okay on the battery charger
?Ensure tight, corrosion free connections on the battery and charging systems
?Make sure the engine itself, as well as the engine belts are free of wear and have signs of any leaks
?Check oil levels and change oil and oil filters annually
?Check the engine air filter once for every 100 hours of operation
?Change the Engine Filter at least once per year and that the canister is free of dirt and other debris

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Both John Read & Randy Crocker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

John Read has sinced written about articles on various topics from Office Chairs, Handyman Home Improvement. Authors Details: Hugh Roberts comes with many Office Layout advice. For get free details on. John Read's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.

Randy Crocker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Management, Real Estate and Management. About: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. Randy Crocker's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.