Presents cleaning profiles for educational facilities that help clarify and quantify the cleaning process, thus aiding labor allocation and addressing contract specifications as well as verifying standards through quality assurance. Strategies cover various cleaning levels from overall spotlessness to constantly utilized areas only affording…

With more than 5,000 colleges, universities, and independent school campuses in the United States, ranging in size from two or three buildings to hundreds of facilities, it is no surprise that financial administrators and facilities departments have a difficult job keeping track of their campuses' physical needs. Managing, tracking, and planning…

To maintain its 17 school buildings, the Albany, New York, school system uses private contractors whose services for labor and materials are obtained at a fixed price for a one-year period through a competitive bid. (MLF)

Describes a training program for residence hall custodial and maintenance supervisors and staff which combines human relations and technical skills. The sessions dealt with communication skills, leadership strategies, performance appraisal, self-understanding, advancement, and fringe benefits. (JAC)

After introducing the problem of unsafe, dirty public school restrooms, this publication describes Project CLEAN (Citizens, Learners, and Educators Against Neglect), an effort to improve the safety, cleanliness, and hygiene of student restrooms in public schools. The Project builds a five-step, school-by-school communication process that includes:…

Examines the Syracuse School District's custodial staff's efforts to simultaneously increase revenue, lower costs, and create a more healthful school environment. Tips for successfully transforming the custodial department from old to modern, efficient methods are highlighted. (GR)

Tucson (Arizona) Unified School District involved its entire work force in generating cost-saving maintenance strategies. Savings were made in carpenter and mower repair shops, evening programs, property control, grounds maintenance, custodial operations, food services, utilities, and rental space agreements. Replacing outdated equipment and…

Describes the advantages of EPDM, a single-ply rubber roofing system, and the experience of using it in reroofing eight public schools in the Logansport, Indiana, School District. (MLF)

Examines ways of improving school cleaning costs and quality by adhering to 15 specific principles. Principles discussed include the use of employee training, accountability, quality equipment and supplies, assignment scheduling, written self audits, computerized management, and industry involvement. (GR)

Offers ideas for locating a roof leak. Discusses why many leaks originate in the roof's base flashings and the importance of knowing the roof's material makeup. Advocates keeping a roof-leak history and gives advice on performing inspections to check for leaks. Discusses how to find small holes in roofs. (RJM)

There is a national increase in the deferred maintenance of colleges and universities in the United States. The resulting deterioration represents a threat to the capability of higher education facilities to support mission of the colleges and universities they house. A series of questions concerning what the problems are and how they can be…

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)

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)

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)