Recalibrating Property Management for Environment, Health, and Safety with CAM Property Services

Weathering the COVID-19 storm with an EHS Specialist

Amidst the uncertainties that surround the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, an opportunity presents itself as a solution for future growth – recalibrating existing business models to ensure environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns have a seat in the decision-making process.

Rather than relying on business-as-usual solutions, real estate leaders are now looking to environmentalists, sociologists, and futurists for answers.

• Will the demand for space increase post COVID-19?
• Will people have a fear of riding elevators?
• Do you have the resources to keep up with the ever-evolving EHS arena?

As evident in the financial crisis of 2008, while some assets survive through adaptation, others fade. Acting quickly, decisively, and consistently will not only determine the fate of the players but also the industry after it eventually reinvents itself.

The smartest players are now thinking about how their respective industries will change and are altering their strategy accordingly. Here is how EHS should be a part of your new normal strategy:

• Technical Know-How: Understand the technicalities of science-based solutions
• Industry Expertise: Evaluate the bigger picture to identify maximum impact solutions
• Tactical Revenue Strategies: Optimize business functionality

Moreover, this goes beyond adapting. Implementing preventative measures will be bold steps to deepening your relationship with employees, customers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Here at CAM Property Services, we know what you do next matters. We have been focused on how we can adapt our diverse array of property management services, EHS subject matter expertise, and technology – to best support our existing and new clients in moving forward successfully.

Our holistic approach, CONFIDENCE+, is designed to maximize operations engagement, with an eye toward your bottom line, at a time when it is most imperative.

By focusing on the latest and safest EHS guidelines, applying the fundamentals of cleaning and evaluating assets from a social science perspective, we utilize our broad service capabilities, providing strategies that focus on increasing revenue and productivity while mitigating risk.

Be assured that the CAM Property Services team is here to support your business during these challenging times. If you want to ensure your property is a sanitized space and implement EHS within your business, please reach out to us so that we can help you pave the path forward to the next normal.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

Stormwater runoff is precipitation that flows across land, permeates into soil, merges into bodies of water, or evaporates back into the atmosphere. However, in urban environments, rainfall flows quickly across hard surfaces laden with pollutants. These contaminants are swept into waterways via drains and streams.

Improperly managed stormwater runoff can cause several problems for businesses, including property damage and regulatory violations.

Flooding: As stormwater flows over impermeable surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, large volumes of water can collect or flow rapidly, often causing property damage. Stormwater can also contribute to natural disasters by instantly raising water levels leading to severe flooding.

Water Pollution: Pollutants such as leaked automotive fluids, industrial waste, agricultural fertilizers, trash, animal waste, and refuse get picked up by urban stormwater flow and find their way, untreated, into local streams.

Stream Bank Erosion: As stormwater flows at unnaturally high speeds and volumes, it can cause severe degradation of shore banks. Rising waters can encroach on waterside property boundaries, destroy aquatic ecosystems, and create additional pollution from eroded sediment.

Human Health: Contaminants introduced to the natural water supply through stormwater runoff can adversely affect drinking water and the access to recreational water activities.

REGULATION & COMPLIANCE

As a result of the immense impact that stormwater runoff can have, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This is a permit program, created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act (CWA), to address pollution by regulating sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States.

Under the CWA, Phase 2 of this program was established in 2003. It identified stormwater as a contributor to water pollution and mandated NPDES permits for land between 1 to 5 acres in size.

Most stormwater is conveyed through a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and discharged into local water bodies. While generally owned by a state, local, or public entity, an MS4 is a system of drains, pipes, and ditches used to collect and transport stormwater. This water flow is typically discharged, untreated, into federally owned waters.

MS4 operators are required to get permits and develop Stormwater Control Measures (SCM), to limit the damaging effects of surface runoff. Failure to comply with the regulations results in a Notice of Violation (NOV).

An NOV informs the property owner or manager regarding a failed assessment, including a detailed observation of the property, non-compliance issues, assessed fines, and penalties. An inspection is typically conducted by local city or government official alerted through an unscheduled property check, distressed phone call from a stakeholder, or general observation. Unfamiliarity with environmental compliance laws is not an excuse for non-compliance.

Compliance with stormwater regulations is also strictly monitored during permitted construction projects. Sometimes violations are discovered after construction, requiring costly modifications. Common violations include:

• Failure of permit coverage
• Failure to include Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
• Failure to implement SCM with essential maintenance and repair
• Failure to conduct or document inspections
• Illegal dumping or discharge
• Inadequate erosion controls

Violation notices typically include a one-time fine along with daily penalties for each subsequent day of non-compliance while the issue is remedied, sometimes reaching tens of thousands of dollars. The frequency and severity of these violations depend on the degree of impact to the environment along with the harm or potential harm to human health.

These situations can often be avoided with an annual inspection, costing as little as $100, and less costly preventative remediation.

ASSESSING STORMWATER ON YOUR PROPERTY

It is important to understand how stormwater is generated within and flows on your property. Here are the steps used by professionals to evaluate water generation, flow, and volume on a property.

Draw boundaries of the property. If not readily available, look up property tax assessment papers or deeds for basic property maps. Draw buildings and other features on the property. Be sure to designate:

• Impermeable areas and hard surfaces that prevent stormwater from soaking into the ground
• Lawn and landscaped areas
• Natural vegetation
• Water features (i.e., streams, wetlands, ponds, swimming pools)

Assess and map stormwater flow, identifying the directional flow of runoff on the property and any problems it may cause. Common issues include ponding or large puddles, damp basements, and soil erosion. Map the following:

• Roof downspouts
• Stormwater flow paths (using arrows for direction)
• Areas of ponding
• Ditches or gullies from soil erosion

Some of these common stormwater control measures may exist or be incorporated into a property:

• Retention or detention ponds
• Constructed wetlands
• Grass swales
• Sand filters
• Level spreaders
• Underground systems (popular in metropolitan cities due to the scarcity of space)

Drainage structures include:

• Inlet/Concrete flume
• Catch basin/Drop inlet
• Permeable pavement
• Curb inlets
• Trench drains (popular for retail assets)
• Culvert
• Headwall
• Flared-end section
• Dock drains

SITE-SPECIFIC OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M)

O&M plans are usually developed as part of a construction or remediation plan and filed with local municipality authorities. These consist of maintenance schedules, inspection requirements, maintenance easements, and descriptions of maintenance activities.

CONCLUSION

The most efficient ways to avoid NOVs and costly fines are to know your O&M agreement, consult with stormwater management professionals, communicate with regulatory bodies, set up maintenance programs, and schedule annual inspections.

Stormwater maintenance programs can also safeguard and extend the life of your investment while keeping long-term repair costs down. Be proud that you are making an impact on protecting the local environment and watershed.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

As customers re-enter public buildings in greater numbers, we need to ensure that they are comfortable in urban spaces and allowed to move about safely. Innovative solutions are crucial to support the well-being of customers.

Our responsibility to property managers is to ensure their assets are pandemic resilient while simultaneously delivering positive impacts on business operations, thus factoring in Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) in decision-making. Our cost-effective strategies are focused on increasing revenue, improving productivity and mitigating risk at a time when it has never been more imperative.

Businesses across California are getting back into shape, proactive landlords and property managers are creating designated safe shopping zones while working collaboratively with us at CAM Property Services. We are constantly updating our service offerings with the latest and safest technologies.

It was not long ago that hardly anyone gave a second thought entering the bustling lobby of a large building or stepping on an escalator. Today, our world has changed, and the way businesses and consumers interact with commercial spaces has been altered. Building owners are making public safety a top concern, establishing safeguards for people to move through buildings with confidence.

For example, escalators are indispensable to today’s urban lifestyle, commonly found in places such as shopping centers, theaters, sports arenas, transit stations, and airports. They are used and touched daily by scores of customers to prevent accidental falls. Unfortunately, worn and gouged rubber escalator handrails can host bacteria and viruses, thus posing a direct threat to human health. It has become common that escalator riders are using handrails progressively less, which has posed increased risks and liabilities.

“If you don’t think the handrail is clean, you don’t want to hold it. Not holding the escalator handrail, however, is not a great option as it increases the risk of injury from loss of balance” says Hanna Inget, head of new services and solutions at KONE, an escalator and elevator provider.

People aren’t the only passengers on escalators. Handrails are often an express lane for germs due to constant contact with unclean hands. Researchers have found traces of blood, mucus, urine, and feces on handrails, not to mention harmful bacteria and viruses. Cleaning escalator handrails has been an ineffective and time-consuming process, until now.

CAM Property Services has added an innovative new escalator handrail disinfection technology to their facility services. It renews and disinfects escalator handrails, providing increased safety and peace of mind for customers who typically hold handrails for balance. The process requires no additional power source, no escalator downtime, and can expertly clean and condition the dirtiest of escalator handrails.

The handrail cleaning system is a non-motorized, safe and simple system to remove dirt, bacteria, and 99.9% of pathogens from moving handrails. A patented cleaning formula is applied to microfiber pads, proven effective in independent studies, attached to molded pad holders on a mobile dolly system, which cleans the moving handrails from “bead to bead” without interrupting operations.

The cleaning and conditioning solutions are biodegradable and have been developed over years.

A mix of silicones helps restore and even protect the rubberized handrail material, extending its useful lifespan. The engineered design uses the power of the escalator to facilitate the cleaning action as it restores and disinfects one rail at a time.

As we ease out of lockdown and re-enter public urban buildings, such as shopping centers, we need to feel comfortable in populated settings. From disinfecting handrails to people flow planning, innovative solutions will not only support well-being but allow your property to adapt and thrive in this new era where EHS is at the forefront.

At CAM Property Services we continue to find new ways to support our clients and their customers. Our suite of anti-virus property management services includes electrostatic fogging, aerial drone inspections, customized plexiglass barriers, and visual cues.

CAM Property Services is adapting holistic and analytical approaches to facility management and cleaning standards. Combining our diverse array of property management services, EHS subject matter expertise and observational methodologies, we are able to yield highly targeted science-based solutions for any asset class with the industry’s best services.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

Responding to the urgent threat of COVID-19 and setting the foundation for permanent changes will be crucial as the commercial property industry reinvents itself.

COVID-19 has had transformative effects on how society lives, works, and plays. The commercial arena has shifted drastically from traditional settings to cautious travel, work from home policies, and office closures.

Businesses and consumers alike are narrowing their wallets to spend only on essentials. Effective cash management entails focusing on resiliency, sustainability and efficient capital expenditure decisions. Real estate leaders must act now to make several decisions on thousands of scenarios, rather than broad, portfolio-wide decisions.

How can a property owner go beyond adapting to COVID-19?

To ease fear among end-users and improve morale, along with the profit and productivity that follows, property owners and tenants must raise their own credibility to earn the confidence of consumers.

Successfully acclimating to the pandemic era requires property leaders to mitigate harmful pathogens by proactively pursuing and implementing strategies that are tailor-made to their businesses.

One such course would be to engage with a professional specializing in Environment Health and Safety (EHS). These specialists are trained in planning and implementing practices that address these converging factors.

Here are some of the ways an EHS specialist can help commercial properties:

• Quickly scaling the ‘new normal’ in a manner the consumer can visualize and trust
• Developing protocols for cleaning, sanitizing, and adapting common areas
• Providing consolidated services and solutions

The following quote should be the operating mantra of every company as you start to pivot.  Now is the time to review and reset how your business operates.

“Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.” – H.G. Wells

As overwhelming as it sounds, there is tremendous opportunity here. This truly is a time when you can increase your risk agility, reduce bottom line costs and elevate your preparedness. This increased agility will be invaluable to the future resilience of your business.

At CAM Property Services, we are helping clients across several asset classes achieve just that. Our EHS expertise can yield highly targeted property solutions and services. With statewide reach and local facility professionals, we can provide insights on how your asset should evolve, determine best procedures and protocols, help you address reopening concerns, and reinvent space. Our team is ready to help keep everyone safe and in business.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

In many cases, the way in which office spaces are used is going to change. The timeframe for workers returning to office buildings remains fluid and ultimately comes down to individual company decisions. In general, the schedule to return to offices en masse is likely to mirror the overall reopening of the statewide economy. The behavioral changes influenced by COVID-19 also remain uncertain. However, it is clear that health and safety concerns will take center stage at the workplace.

Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) experts have begun re-examining the modern office workspace in the light of the pandemic and changing views on shared workspaces.

Returning To The Office Is Inevitable For Many Workers

Prior to the pandemic, offices were considered essential to raising productivity, fostering culture, and attracting talent. Securing prime office real estate was competitive in metropolitan cities. In recent years, many of those workplaces focused on collaborative, group environments. Office space requirements per employee witnessed a 20% decline. The upward trend in efficiencies was due to open floor plans with break-out rooms and other common amenities. Leaders in the technology and banking industries configured spaces to provide 65-70 sq. ft. per employee – a stark contrast from the recommended 100-120 sq. ft. per employee used by the architectural community for decades.

Did we squeeze in too many people too quickly? Based on a survey conducted by McKinsey, 80 percent of respondents confirmed they enjoyed working from home, while 41% believed they were more productive.

The COVID-19 outbreak has informed leaders that a good percentage of staff can work from home and deliver efficient results. This has raised questions regarding whether there is a need to maintain offices as before. It may also be suggested that businesses enlist new strategies to make offices more humane, productive, and safe.

EHS professionals say there are indications of what the future of office spaces should look like.

Enhanced Cleaning, Disinfection, and Elimination Measures

Employees will rightfully be expecting enhanced cleaning programs as they return to work. Frequent and effective disinfecting of public areas, such as receptions, pantries, dining areas, cafés, copy rooms, wellness rooms, and high-touch surfaces will have to be considered. An after-hours cleaning program, that attacks common areas with antimicrobial treatments to prevent germs and bacteria from circulating through touch, air, and water, is also fundamental.

Ease Office Congestion

Retrofit – Workstation enclosures and space delineation has become essential. It is important to understand how collaborative spaces need to meet current safety norms. Workstations should be set up with appropriate distance between them, while rules regarding the use of common area furniture will address maintaining proper social distances. Hygienic products for employees, such as hand sanitizers, antibacterial soaps, gloves, masks, and disinfectant wipes will become standard office supplies.

Reconfigure – It is crucial to ensure social and physical distancing by introducing new elements to the office. The introduction of plexiglass, panels, dividers, and wall enclosures will be key to re-purposing interior and exterior space for maximum occupancy. Traditionally, construction materials and fabrics were never considered amenities, however, post-pandemic they will have a spotlight. Offices built with construction materials that are antimicrobial, such as metallic and some laminate surfaces, as well as treated fabrics that can withstand strong cleaning treatments, will become more commonplace.

Re-invent – Other workplace amenities aided by technology will take on a prominent role. The inclusion of touchless dispensers, faucets, trash receptacles, paper towels, smart thermostats, and motion sensors will not only help reduce physical touch but prove to be cost saving at an imperative time. Think adaptability instead of permanence. Fluid instead of fixed.

Hospital Grade Elements

Eliminating pathogens being passed through droplets, physical proximity, and airborne transmissions will need to be targeted in design. The inclusion of quarantine rooms, oxygen supplies, and mask stations in office spaces have now reached beyond the realm of sci-fi and into reality.

HVAC Considerations

Airflow, air quality, and filtration will be held to a higher standard. Office buildings may require major re-engineering to avoid virus exposure. Floor or zone based segmentation of the air distribution system will be the norm in future building designs. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are likely to become a standard feature. Air changes per hour may have to be increased to ensure higher levels of air purity.

Investing in Physical Safety

Having undergone a long period of restricted movement, the behavior of employees will change, and they will require more physical and mental space, not to mention personal safety.

Despite these changes, we will always need workspaces that foster collaboration, innovation, creativity, and a sense of belonging. There will always be a desire for amenities like artfully designed meeting spaces, eating areas, or physical activity centers like gyms.

The experts at CAM Property Services are here to assist you in making your workspace pandemic resilient. While every organization varies with regard to privacy policies and shared spaces, returning to work will clearly be changed in many ways. Our clients have access to a wide variety of property management services and solutions informed by our in-house EHS subject matter expertise to address their evolving needs.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

As technology continues to improve, new ways to apply it are being implemented across all industries to provide better service for customers. The commercial property services sector is no exception. The latest tech to help property managers make decisions is drone inspections. These digital property surveys are helping guide management decisions, improving performance and profitability.

More than just aerial images, the data points provided by professionally piloted drone surveys continue to impress. Paired with sophisticated software, aerial drone footage enables property managers to work efficiently and effectively with single properties or across entire portfolios.

Drones receive most of the attention, but the behind-the-scenes software is the real star. The post-flight processing of the data can identify topography, building elevations, contour lines, breaklines, and even changes in slope. The ability to provide this important data depends on the software quality, which can cost hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands. A professional drone operation will have invested in a higher-end program.

Sophisticated software will also have the ability to process thousands of measurements, adjust for 2-D image distortion, generate geolocation tags, and provide accurate horizontal and vertical measurements. Accumulating and processing these data points accurately can provide valuable information for important property management decisions.

Drone inspections provide a “big picture” overview to aid facility manager planning. Aerial footage can effectively capture areas such as property boundaries, landscape, rooftops, exterior walls, storefronts, parking lots, and hazardous zones. Difficult access points can also be inspected up close, such as facades, signs, and high vertical surfaces. Drones have also been used to detect vandalism, graffiti, dumping, and illegal encampments.

With high quality equipment, measurements can be as accurate as +/- one centimeter and produced in a much shorter time than traditional methods. This can greatly reduce the cost of labor and human error for surveying properties. It also provides easier access to survey locations that may be difficult to reach.

Identifying maintenance needs is another area in which drone inspections can save money. Troubleshooting HVAC equipment, spotting rooftop water pools, and repairing solar panels in a timely manner can help management teams reduce property expenses.

A comprehensive aerial inspection can establish the baseline condition of a property for better risk assessment. Accurate aerial property surveys can also increase real estate valuations by putting all property assets into perspective. Realtors, bankers, buyers, and sellers are relying more and more on drone property inspections to support appraised values.

In the digital era, people have become accustomed to having information at their fingertips. Cloud-based aerial drone footage can be viewed online. Digital video files can be saved, archived, or shared easily. Access is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Liability protection is another important benefit of aerial drone inspections.

The first step is to accurately identify problems and perform repairs in a timely manner to reduce the number of accidents occurring on a property. Overhead views can identify problem areas. Liabilities such as trip and fall hazards, unsafe zones, and parking lot potholes may not be as noticeable at ground level but become obvious at higher elevations.

An aerial inspection can also provide an evidential timestamped video of property conditions, which can prove invaluable to insurance companies and litigators. Regularly scheduled drone inspections provide an ongoing record of property conditions and proof of maintenance.

Drone coverage can also help with ADA compliance and lawsuits. Not identifying and repairing ADA accessibility issues can bring devastating financial losses to a business. Overview footage can be used to identify problem hotspots and target them for remediation prior to any lawsuit filing or code violation.

If interested in ordering an aerial drone inspection for your property, you might start with the company that provides your property services. They tend to know your property the best and can likely refer you to the best source in your area.

Aerial drone inspections make sense on so many levels. Property managers are as good as the quality of information they receive. Providing better tools results in better outcomes. Drones generate comprehensive information that can help management make informed decisions, avoid serious losses, and save money.

Facility thermal drone inspections are more than just colorful video footage or photos. When drone services are provided by property professionals, the camera captures data most relevant to the specific needs of property managers. The more familiar a drone operator is with a property and its trouble spots, the better the resulting analysis.

While the quality of non-thermal drones is dependent on camera lens quality, resolution, and image storage, thermal drones raise the stakes. The quality of thermal cameras can vary considerably in price depending on sensitivity, targeted accuracy, and range of datapoints collected.

Color changes can provide good basic information about the general location of trouble spots, which may be adequate for some situations. Upper end units have radiometric thermal cameras which can provide the temperatures of various pinpoint locations within an image.

However, capturing the data is only part of the process. Another critical aspect of thermal drones is the software used to capture, collect, and process large volumes of critical information in real time and during post-flight analysis. The ability to process all of the datapoints for meaningful analysis separates the professional thermal drone operations from the hobbyists posing as surveyors. Inspections from equipment that costs nearly twenty thousand dollars produces far different results than drone gear that costs a fraction of that.

Roof inspections are one of the most obvious uses for thermal drones. These areas typically serve as hubs for utilities. Heat sensing detection can reveal problems with HVAC equipment, poorly insulated areas, structural issues, roof penetrations, and even water damage when evaluated by an experienced drone pilot.

Utility control panels can be assessed with thermal imaging. Alleys, parking lots, fenced areas, and behind buildings are common utility equipment areas easily accessed by a drone. Nearby utility poles, transformers, and powerlines are also ideal inspection points for detecting wasteful energy loss. Mitigate the high cost of commercial electricity with a thermal drone energy audit.

Solar panels are another area in which inefficiencies and problems can be revealed via heat imaging drones. Variations in panel activity is easily identified by changes in color. You can also thermally image properties to identify the best location to place solar panels.

Preventative maintenance saves facility managers time and money by avoiding larger problems, scheduling repairs to minimize downtime, and enabling strategic planning with Information collected through drone imaging. Even events that may go unnoticed, such as normal wear and tear, loose connections, and nearly imperceptible defects can be revealed in a timely manner with thermal imaging.

It is not just buildings that benefit from these types of inspections. Large properties, parking lots, and landscaped areas can reveal anomalies and problem areas. Pooling water, insect & animal activity, and hots spots can be revealed. Troubleshooting lighted signs and equipment in high places can also be achieved with thermal imaging.

Recording property conditions can be useful for supporting future insurance claims. Before and after documentation can assist in investigating and validating property problems. Drone imaging can be recorded and saved on the cloud for anytime, anywhere access.

Full aerial views can help with strategic planning while closeup images can reveal root causes. Working with your current property services company is ideal if they offer drone services. These professionals are in the best position to understand your property needs and problem areas.

The tools exist today for asset managers to be proactive in their approach. Maintenance costs can be reduced through thorough inspections. Identifying problems early is an important key to help save time and money and prevent minor issues from becoming critical. Consider thermal drone imaging to help get critical, analytical information for managing your property effectively.

Resources:

High Resolution Thermal Imaging for Drones: Changing the Game on Building Inspections
https://dronelife.com/2018/07/25/high-resolution-thermal-imaging-for-drones-changing-the-game-on-building-inspections

Drone Training, News, and Resources
https://uavcoach.com

Thermographic Inspections – U.S. Dept of Energy
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/thermographic-inspections

Thermal Imaging: How can this technology be useful?
https://a-actionhomeinspection.com/inspection-services/thermal-imaging

When it comes to managing trash collection at a facility, good logistics can make a huge difference. Small problems compound easily when taken to a large scale at places such as a multifamily apartment, high-rise office, hotel, or sports stadium. Trash chutes can make a big impact on many levels. They can improve facility cleanliness, air quality, labor costs, and even workplace safety.

Multifamily residences are unique in this category as tenants of all ages are most likely to be accessing the trash chute door. Safety is a top priority. The first step is to make sure that the trash chute was professionally installed. Facility managers should also regularly schedule crews to clean and maintain trash chute equipment properly to prevent injury or harm to users, as well as financial liability.

There are regulations that require proper inspection and maintenance of trash chute systems for a variety of health and safety reasons. Although concern is far more than a fire safety issue, the main authority is NFPA 82 (National Fire Protection Association). Local laws may have regional variances, so be sure to check. A reputable commercial contractor should be familiar with related building codes and annual inspection requirements.

Another code consideration is that the installation complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). There are requirements about aspects such as accessibility, door handle hardware, height, and enclosure space. Chutes not in compliance may require retrofitting or stiff penalties may be assessed. A CASp inspector can help identify and avoid these costly problems.

Industrial trash chutes face the same regulations, although they are typically confined to “employees only” areas accessed by professional cleaning staff. Places like office buildings, commercial complexes, hotels, and assisted senior living facilities often have trash chutes for hauling away large volumes of garbage quickly and easily.

Hauling trash indoors in this manner can minimize odors in common areas, hallways, elevators, and stairwells. It can also prevent slips from leakage and other employee injuries from hauling trash.

These industrial chutes are typically installed during initial building construction, however, there are methods for installation in existing buildings. Experienced and licensed construction companies can provide more detailed information.

Keep in mind that many large construction companies shy away from this type of work, so a reputable, specialist construction company may be the ideal partner.

A sports stadium is well suited for trash chute system installation. Volumes of baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and hockey fans generate tons of trash at each sporting event. Their unique building structure allows for trash chute installations before, during, and after primary construction.

Trash chutes often deposit trash directly into lower-level dumpsters or trash compactors. This convenience can save time and labor costs. It also reduces the number of times trash is handled directly, in a time when cleanliness is at the forefront.

While this can be convenient it also poses a problem. Combustibles and other hazardous materials commonly cause fires in trash areas. To prevent the quick spread of fire through these conduits, fire safety closures must be properly installed at the end of the chute. Upper-level access doors must also be fire-rated.

Chutes are either rectangular or round. The shape may be determined by construction constraints or the manufacturer’s equipment. However, when presented with the option, one should consider the benefits of a round trash chute. Much like the infamous query “Why are manhole covers round?” – a round chute is more likely to prevent oversized items from becoming wedged as they cannot be rotated for a different fit as rectangular chutes allow.

Modern trash chutes may also come with extra features. Deceleration tracks and noise dampeners are common. Built-in cleaning systems are also prevalent, dispersing cleaning agents and sprays to help alleviate internal grime and odors. However, cleaning personnel may still be required for more extensive power washing and external hardware.

If you are considering the benefits of installing a trash chute or need professional maintenance on existing equipment, the best resource for referrals may be your janitorial or facility maintenance crew. They are likely to already offer those services or work in conjunction with those who do. For installation try specialist commercial construction companies that are familiar with industrial buildings and local codes.

Commercial trash chutes are more than a useful convenience, they can provide significant savings on labor and accident costs. Larger commercial facilities should consider the installation and regular maintenance of trash chute systems to improve the health and safety of those around.

Written in conjunction with CAM Property Services, a facility maintenance company offering a broad range of property services throughout Southern California.

Your property is being judged before people even step foot on it. If your grounds aren’t enticing or aesthetically pleasing, the first impression to tenants and visitors is already sullied. An ideal way to keep your business park landscaping curb appeal pristine is with pre-emergent spraying.

As a property professional, there’s nothing worse than putting time, energy, and resources into your commercial landscaping — only for it to be slowly taken over by pesky weeds. Luckily for you, CAM Property Services offers pre-emergent spraying to keep those uninvited guests at bay. Prevention is key, and we’re here to help.

Here’s how it works:

When utilizing the pre-emergent spraying process, herbicide is sprayed (before weeds are visible) to create an invisible barrier below the soil. As weeds begin to grow and hit that barrier, they are killed upon contact, and never break through the soil.

When it comes to weed control, the pre-emergent process is the most effective preventative measure. It’s safe to use around essential plants, and once applied, kills weeds permanently. This is not to say that dormant weeds can’t make a return down the road, or that animals or uncleaned mower head decks won’t transport seeds. It’s not a miracle worker. Some things just cannot be controlled.

Keep in mind that pre-emergent is only effective if employed before your property has a weed infestation. Once germination begins, it’s very difficult to stop. Proactive spraying prevents the germination process from even initiating. This is why we recommend an herbicide treatment before or during Spring. When done then, you can look forward to a weed-free summer.

CAM Property Services is here to help keep your maintenance and landscaping to the highest standard. We currently provide the highest quality services for over 1,300 properties across California, and that number is constantly on the rise. Commercial landscape pre-emergent weed control is just one of the many services we offer. Our reputation for knowledgeable and personable care is unmatched, and we’re always taking on new clients, big and small.

Call (800) 576-3050 to find out how you can onboard California’s ultimate landscaping services for your commercial property.