Interior Inspection
The benefits of preventative maintenance within a recreation facility
By Alan Kavanaugh
There are many areas within recreational facilities that require inspections:
Fire-safety equipment
Fire-protection equipment
Fire alarm systems
Electrical
HVAC/ventilation systems
Boiler and furnace systems
Plumbing equipment
Health and safety
Ice plants
Swimming pools
Fitness Centers
Photo: © Can Stock Photo / YakobchukOlena
The inspection procedures and recommended frequencies are usually based on national and state codes, regulations and standards, preventative maintenance, and best loss-prevention practices.
For interior inspections, there are several key areas of focus:
Safety inspections. Emergency exiting of buildings, fire-protection equipment, fire alarm systems, storage concerns, fire planning, fire drills, fire-code requirements, etc.
Preventive-maintenance inspections. Filter changes, trash can inspections, mechanical inspections, boilers, HVAC, geo-thermal, electrical systems, roofs, building envelope, etc.
Interior safety. Hallways, steps and stairs, storage, hazardous occupancies (ammonia plants, chlorine and acid storage) etc.
Predicting A Problem
Whenever there are cutbacks, preventive maintenance usually takes a hit. The need to provide a regular, digitally documented program cannot be overstated. How does one know how long equipment will operate? What condition is it in? What maintenance and testing should be provided if there is not such a program?
With all of the supports required to operate a safe building, it is difficult at times to meet these inspection frequencies, even though they are required by a national or state code, regulation and/or standard.
Among the benefits of a digital inspection program are the following:
Reduce recurring problems.
Prevent the use of unsafe assets, thus reducing employee and student injuries.
Help set up ideal maintenance schedules.
Maximize scheduling productivity.
Budget for repairs and updates.
Photos: © Can Stock Photo / hammett79
A Bare Minimum
A regular (monthly) inspection program should be developed and put into place, covering the following areas:
a) All rooms, hallways, means of egress, exterior exit stairs, pathways, and fire exits
b) All mechanical systems, heating, electrical, plumbing
c) Fire-safety systems, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, fire-suppression systems, etc.
d) Hazardous processes and operations (specific to building and operation, ammonia operations, chlorine, acid storage), etc.
Getting Started
Conduct a risk analysis or needs assessment.
Identify all areas to be inspected. This makes it easier to develop an inspection program that will meet the requirements of various codes, regulations, and standards.
Monitor progress and make changes if needed.
Stay informed.
Talk to risk-management professionals, people in the industry, staff members, and other organizations.
Alan Kavanaugh, CRM, CCPI (Member NFPA), provided Loss Control Services to municipalities, school districts, industry, and government operations for over 34 years. He has developed a set of training programs (workshops) and audits (safety related) to help all organizations accumulate and prioritize information and develop short- and long-term compliance plans. He is based out of Prince George, BC but provides services throughout Western Canada and the United States. Reach him at akavanaugh@noratek.com.