Routine maintenance functions help prevent unwanted failures of the equipment, keep the systems functioning properly and maintain the designed space by keeping temperatures and humidity in range to prevent further issues inside the building. Learn more at http://blog.mckenneys.com/2020/07/the-need-for-quality-preventive-maintenance/.

1. The Need for Quality Preventive Maintenance

3. Even with low-occupancy buildings or facilities, performing preventive
and predictive maintenance is crucial for keeping your building’s HVAC
and plumbing equipment functioning as designed. This in turn keeps
the building as safe and as healthy as possible.
Routine maintenance functions such as:
• Changing filters
• Cleaning coils
• Changing belts
• Oil analysis
• Cleaning tubes
• Amp draws

4. These routine maintenance functions help prevent unwanted failures of
the equipment, keep the systems functioning properly and maintain the
designed space by keeping temperatures and humidity in range to
prevent further issues inside the building.
While no program of maintenance can guarantee problems will not
arise, routine engagement with equipment helps to circumvent trouble
calls.

5. Other preventive measures worth exploring for your facility are:
• Perform a complete building/facility evaluation on your HVAC
equipment
• Verify the outside air and ventilation are working as intended.
Maintain relative humidity levels between 40% and 60%.
• Air Handling Equipment Cleaning and Filter Changes: if your
equipment has been sitting idle, it is important to thoroughly clean
internal components as stagnant water increases the risks for legionella
bacteria growth. Air filters should also be changed routinely.
• Central Equipment: if pumps, chillers, cooling towers and other central
equipment has been turned off, check the equipment for proper
operation before restarting as lack of flow can cause sediment to build
and water treatment could be out of balance.

6. • Upgrade Air filters: The most common filtration is MERV8.
Upgrading filters to the highest level that equipment will allow, such
as a MERV13, can greatly improve indoor air quality.
• Evaluate Plumbing Systems: With facilities operating under a lower
occupancy, there is a potential for stagnant water, which causes
issues for water heaters, ice makers and other plumbing devices.
Plumbing systems in the building need to be flushed on a regular
basis. Touchless plumbing fixtures allow occupants to operate
faucets and other bathroom fixtures without contact, which
minimizes the spread of germs while offering convenience and water
savings.

7. • Install UV lighting: Lighting can be installed in AHU’s, inside ducts or
in spaces (upper room UFGI). UV lighting can help eliminate viruses
and reduce the presence of mold and bacteria.
• Utilize Bi-polar Ionization: Bi-polar ionization uses an electronic
charge to create a high concentration of positive and negative ions.
These ions attach to particles, pathogens and gas molecules in the
occupied space. The ions help to gather the fine sub-micron
particles, making them more filterable. The ions breakdown harmful
particles and there is evidence the ions inactivate pathogens by
robbing them of life-sustaining hydrogen.
• Verify the Controls System: Make sure the building’s systems alerts
and alarms are set up properly and are providing timely notifications
of issues to building personnel.

8. In today’s times, there is a lot of talk of when things will return to
“normal”. One thing to keep in mind is that a building is meant to be
maintained. A lack of maintenance in all systems can create bigger
issues down the road, especially in mechanical systems.

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