With properly specified fiber and a comprehensive maintenance program, school carpets can retain their appearance longer. Discusses carpet characteristics; proper carpet installation; effective preventive-maintenance programs (keep outside areas clean, use soil barriers, protect desk areas, maintain HVAC systems, and specify eating, drinking, and…

Describes how one university's facility managers use Nextel communications technology in conjunction with a Famis Software maintenance management system to improve the productivity of its maintenance technicians. The system uses a wireless Internet connection to automate the flow of work order information to and from technicians. The key to these…

Discusses the importance of maintaining sprinkler systems in school facilities. Provides facts about sprinklers and describes steps to take after accidental discharges. (EV)

Describes a motivational program in the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools that caused a dramatic improvement in custodial staff professionalism and school building cleanliness. The plan emphasized the importance of clean schools, teamwork, and accepting responsibility for one's work. (MLH)

Argues the importance of regularly inspecting thermoplastic roofs to avoid costly repairs. Preventive measures such as access restriction and the use of protective mats and pads to prevent third-party accidents are discussed as is the importance of checking for drain blockages. (GR)

Provides decision-making tips when selecting facilities management software for colleges and universities. It advises to get a program that fits a prepared plan, pay attention to user friendliness, negotiate for changes and modifications in the vendor contract, test run the program before buying it, and determine a vendor's service level…

Discusses the issues to consider when selecting floor-care chemicals, including the floor-finish systems for hard-surface floors and the care of carpeted floors. Provides thoughts on cleaning chemical usage and environmental awareness. (GR)

Discusses the creation of an effective carpet vacuuming program by combining area usage assessment and vacuuming requirements with a scheduling plan. Also explains vacuum cleaner suction and filtration and how it makes custodian work more efficient. A complementary article discusses creating an effective floor-maintenance plan for resilient…

Provides guidelines to help schools maintain hard floors and carpets, including special areas in schools and colleges that need attention and the elements needed to have a successful carpet-maintenance program. The importance of using heavy equipment to lessen time and effort is explained as are the steps maintenance workers can take to make the…

Discusses a step-by-step process for building a cleaning services mission statement that can help guarantee that the service performance meets an organization's expectations and needs. The importance of communicating what quality level is expected, developing standards and corresponding labor models and work assignments, and validating the process…

Discusses the communication difficulties between educational-facility housing managers and plant management and ways to improve it so that maintenance problems can be resolved. Examples of successful housing and facility-management partnerships are highlighted. (GR)

Presents data from 1990 to 2000 on college and university maintenance and operations (M & O) spending showing that M & O spending per student is less, spending per square foot is up. Included are M & O median salaries levels, and the median number of full- and part-time staff by function. (GR)

Describes how schools are investigating single-ply roofing systems for new and retrofit construction. Discusses some of the considerations in seaming together a single-ply roof, steps in choosing roofing material and a roofing contractor, warranty advice, and the importance of keeping records on roof maintenance. (RJM)

Explains how schools that focus on roofing maintenance are more likely to avoid leaks and costly repairs. Brief comments on the U.S. Department of Education's report on roof ratings and adequacy are highlighted. (GR)

Presents data on college spending for maintenance and facility operations for the 2000-01 school year. Data reveal a greater allocation of maintenance and operations being funded by colleges. Funding comparisons per student and per square foot of building maintained are provided along with data on median salaries and personnel allocation. (GR)