Identifies the 10 most common carpet problems in school facilities and offers solutions. These include: transition areas, moisture, spot removal, recurring spots, cleaning agents, allergens, wicking, biological contamination, equipment selection, and cleaning methods. Ensuring a successful maintenance program results in satisfactory appearance,…

Addresses the issue of grounds care at educational facilities. Tips for purchasing and maintaining equipment, keeping regular maintenance schedules, and properly training workers are presented. Safety tips are also included for employees operating grounds equipment. (RE)

Shows how schools are working to avoid the types of equipment, supplies, and maintenance practices that harm indoor air quality. Simple steps to maintaining a cleaner indoor air environment are highlighted as are steps to reducing the problem air quality and the occurrence of asthma. (GR)

Schools and other government facilities want to see whether privatization of maintenance can provide services as efficiently and at less cost than inhouse workers. Privatization proponents say that everyone will benefit the most if the bidding process involves competition. Offers examples from the Memphis City Schools and the Union Public Schools…

Argues that the overall and continuing decay of the nation's public school facilities suggests a greater formal relation is needed between K-12 school physical plants and the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA). APPA's efforts to study and prepare for this task while also supporting APPA strategic objectives are discussed.…

Discusses the 1997 collapse of a balcony on a historic building at the University of Virginia, which resulted in a death and several injuries. Explores the balcony structure and cause of the collapse, any possibly preventative measures, and the resolution of legal proceedings resulting from the collapse. (EV)

Discusses the use of school facility design as an aid to efficiently repairing and maintaining facility systems. Also presents details on facility design's influence in properly maintaining mechanical and electrical systems. (GR)

Describes how one school district saved money, simplified carpet maintenance, and kept its carpets clean by trying a new dry compound carpet care method. (MD)

The Physical Plant Department at Portland State University (OR) performs accounting, inventory control, and purchasing tasks with a local online system. Using in-house software, this system has replaced and improved upon services formerly provided by the State System of Higher Education. (MCG)

Unusually hard hit by the 1970s recession, the University of Michigan accumulated more deferred maintenance problems than could be analyzed efficiently either by hand or with existing computer systems. Using an existing microcomputer and a database management software package, the maintenance service developed its own database to support…

An overall project manager should be assigned by the physical plant to oversee minor remodeling and/or construction projects requested by other departments. (Author/MLF)

Immediate access to technical information is critical in making emergency decisions and in long-range planning. A useful tool to consolidate many forms of information in an easily understood graphic form is an overall plot plan of each building complex. (Author/MLF)

Discusses an effort by students, parents, alumni, and alumni parents to help clean and paint Bishop Fenwick High School, in Massachusetts, as a way to "give something back" to the school; the event has been a springboard for other community service events, such as a landscaping day at the school. (AJL)

Describes the use of a computerized roof management system (CRMS) for school districts to foster multiple roof maintenance efficiency and cost effectiveness. Highlights CRMS software manufacturer choices, as well as the types of nondestructive testing equipment tools that can be used to evaluate roof conditions. (GR)

Explains the use of "performance contracting" to pay for newly installed equipment designed to improve school energy and operating efficiency. Examples of maintenance cost savings are highlighted. (GR)