You will have been told how often your equipment will need maintenance, but perhaps you have fallen behind or forgotten. However, it is KEY for your business so you remain safe, efficient and cost-effective. Your generator especially will require preservation, keep reading to find out 6 reasons why you need to be performing generator maintenance tasks.

1. Keeps it running when you need it most

Generators are there to use in the event of an unexpected power cut. It is there as a backup, therefore should always be ready and in working order. We are sure finding out the generator does not work when your power goes is far from helpful. Regular maintenance and checks will mean it will always be able to do as it is designed for.

2. Prevents fuel problems

If unchecked, it is more likely to be susceptible to fuel problems such as algae build up, clogged fuel injectors or a dead battery. These problems can not only cause problems for when you need to use the generator, they can also break it completely, therefore, will need to be replaced- not cost effective.

3. Saves you money

Having irregular, or non-existent maintenance may save money short-term, if you ignore it for too long you will encounter costly repairs, or need to replace entirely. They are not a cheap piece of equipment, therefore preservation tasks are cheaper and prevent the generator from failing. If the generator fails to work when needed, it could cause other damage to the property. For example, lack of light means accidents occur, lack of electricity reduces productivity etc.

4. Keeps it running for longer

As previously mentioned, generators are costly- you will not want to buy a new one of those every month. A properly maintained appliance will mean they will not need to be replaced as often, lasting a lot longer and working efficiently.

5. Increases efficiency

If in the chance you will need to use and rely on your generator, you will want it to run as efficiently as possible. A maintained appliance will help get your generator working to optimum levels.

6. Keeps it safe

Safety is vital for a business. Equipment that is properly taken care of will mean it will be safe to use and could highlight areas which are not safe and need to be repaired quickly. A generator will make properties safe as they produce electricity for the building. This is essential when a lack of power occurs at night, during cold months or over long periods of time.

Here at OCD FM, our partners come with a wealth of knowhow and experience. If you have any questions about Maintenance and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

Health and safety may not be the most fun of tasks, but it is probably the most important to keep up to date with. The measures are there to keep us safe in the workplace, therefore they must have the attention they deserve. HSE confirmed that there were 144 deaths in Great Britain alone during 2015-2016.

With our lives at risk, is there any better reason as to why risk assessments are so crucial?

1. Legalities – It is a legal requirement for businesses with over 5 employees to have a written document identifying any hazards in the workplace, determining who could be harmed and how (relating to job role), recognise the risks and how you can control those specific risks, log the risk findings and implement safety measures.

2. Cost – Not only could lack of health and safety measures increase the likelihood of a fatality, they can also increase costs for the business as they would have employee loss (which affects production), compensation claims and higher insurance premiums or even void premiums.

3. Guidelines – As of the 1st of February 2016, courts are allowed to serve higher sentences (this includes both fines and jail time) to organisations who breach their health and safety legislation. Although there is the opportunity for large fines to be given, the court must take in to account company turnover. This means if a small company breaches legislation they will receive an appropriate fine amount depending on the severity of the breach and the company turnover.

The best way to avoid discipline for health and safety violations is to comply with all appropriate safety regulations. At OCD FM, we include regular Fire, Health and Safety Risks Assessments in our Facilities Management services so that our clients never compromise the safety of their staff or fail to comply with their legislative obligations. To find out more about the service we offer, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

In a definition provided by English Oxford Dictionaries, a Handyman is a person able or employed to do occasional repairs and minor renovations. You may have completed the main body of work for your business, everything seems to be running smoothly… however, as time goes on things will wear and tear, and will require fixing as soon as possible. If left unresolved a minor problem could evolve into a large problem, this could cost the company thousands or even the entire business.

A regular ‘handyman’ will be reactive and provide minor repairs provision for a company, therefore any problems that arise will quickly be resolved and to a high standard. A well-maintained business allows for brand reputation to be at optimum level. Although branding is built through a strategised business and marketing strategy, physical appearance is also very important. A workplace that is fully functional, clean and tidy creates a professional and efficient environment for those visiting and those working in the space. For example, poor paintwork and a leaking tap may not create the best impression on a prospective client.

A handyman and their services will create a safe and comfortable environment for employees and visitors. This is important as any accidents within the business’ area could result in the victim making a claim, your company facing jail time and/or a fine, and insurance becoming more expensive or void.

Some examples of the services a handyman will supply are:

(start bullet point) Lights – Changing light bulbs in offices may not be as simple as a home bulb. Often with fluorescent and complex fixtures, changing the bulb can be time-consuming and must be fitted properly to reduce risk.  

Furniture – Building and maintaining furniture is important to keep the office running smoothly. A wobbly chair may not look the best for a visitor to the office. The same way a cluttered space with files and folders would be better if the appropriate storage was built.

Hanging items – Whether that be photos, artwork, mirrors, TVs or any other heavy objects, all will need different fixtures and fittings depending on the type of wall and the intended use of the item. A handyman will be familiar with the tools and materials needed to do these tasks, making sure they are placed safely and securely. (end bullet point)

At OCD FM, we have an outstanding commitment to delivering. As a tailored facilities management company, our team know that we can add value to our clients. If you have any questions about facilities management and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

We often see ‘one size fits all’ for a range of products or services, but facilities management (FM) is not one of them.

Facilities Management is a process which strives to be efficient and effective in its support to the organisations that it serves. The process integrates people, systems, processes, technologies and locations.

Examples of some FM services are:

• Routine and planned preventative maintenance of all Mechanical and Electrical services
• Daily and specialist cleaning
• Waste control
• Emergency call outs
• Security measures
• ‘Handyman’ service 

It is important to know every business is different, thus needing a different FM strategy. By tailoring the strategy to the specific company, only the necessary and discussed services will be undertaken. Industry type will create a foundation for the FM plan, but the specific business, location and aims will need further accurate planning. For example, an academy may want/need to have security for the provision of building access. However, a private residence may not need this level of security.

Here at OCD FM, we strive to provide customers with a high quality individually tailored service. In order to identify and understand each client’s particular needs, we make sure to undertake a comprehensive survey of the client. Using this information, we can then go on to creating lists of all the electrical and mechanical equipment involved, as well as a condition survey (fully understand the condition of the building(s) and to assist with planned maintenance). After the previously mentioned has been addressed, the implementation of the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme will begin which:

• Ensures that you have the most economical solutions.
• Helps you more accurately forecast potential expenditure.
• Confirm that all your electrical and mechanical equipment reaches or even exceeds the expected lifespan.
• Make sure that all your mechanical, electrical and soft services are compliant with Approved Codes of Practice and British Standards.

At OCD FM, we have an outstanding commitment to delivering. As a tailored facilities management company, our team know that we can add value to our clients. If you have any questions about facilities management and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

What is PAT?

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It is a term given to the process of examining electrical appliances and equipment to make sure they are safe to use. Most equipment faults can be physically seen, but some deficiencies can only be found through testing. It is those faults that could be very dangerous for its users if not tested regularly. Same goes for faults that cannot be found through testing, only visually. Regular brief checks are important, but formal checks by a competent person are also necessary for the maintenance plan. The type of equipment and environment which it is being used in will indicate how often it needs to be checked and the level of inspection.

How often do I need to do PAT?

The Electricity At Work Regulations  Act (1989) commands that any electrical equipment is regularly maintained to a safe level of use. This law does not specify what needs to be done or how often. However, it is an employer’s legal obligation to provide a safe working place for employees, therefore PAT will be necessary for your business. The frequency of testing will depend on the type of equipment you have and its use. For example, power tools will have to be tested more often than a lamp in a reception.

Do I need to keep a record of PAT?

There is no legal requirement for records to be made of your portable appliance testing, but it is good practice to have these documents to know what condition the specific item is in. The records will also help in your maintenance schemes.

Do I need to do PAT on new equipment?

It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide safe machinery and equipment, but it is good practice to check the item to verify it is safe to use for your staff.

Here at OCD FM, our partners come with a wealth of knowhow and experience. If you have any questions about PAT and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

Same as other appliances, your boiler must be checked regularly in order to keep it in working condition and be safe. A boiler is essential in creating hot water and warm rooms- part of an employees rights in a workplace. In this blog post, we explain why boiler maintenance is so important.

Issues & Problems

Regular maintenance allows you to spot problems or issues before they can escalate further. Prevention and small fixtures can save you money long-term as, without these regular checks, you could potentially have to buy a whole new boiler rather than pay to fix one small part.

Efficiency

Maintenance will allow for optimum working efficiency. Most businesses aim to be eco-friendly, one of the main ways to do this is to make sure your energy consumption is only for the necessities. If a boiler is not working to 100%, you could be wasting money paying for it to run, but not actually doing what it is meant to. Wastefully using energy will also affect the environment and harm your eco footprint. Maintenance is not only for older boilers, new boilers should also be maintained so that they remain in good condition.

Safety

Although boilers revolutionised the way we get hot water and heating, they come with potentially life-threatening consequences if not installed or maintained properly. The risk of a poisonous gas called Carbon Monoxide being produced from a boiler is high if it hasn’t been installed or checked regularly and efficiently. Carbon monoxide is labelled as the silent killer due to it being invisible and odourless, making it hard to be noticed if a leak does occur. A registered engineer will be able to conduct tests and see if any parts could cause the gas to leak, doing the necessary fixtures to prevent this.

If exposed, seek medical advice immediately as it could be fatal to life. It is also good practice to have a Carbon Monoxide alarm fitted to ensure safety.

If you have any questions about boiler maintenance and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

If your business relies on machinery for its day to day operations, like most businesses do nowadays, then you will have considered different maintenance plans that are suitable for your business’ operations. From light bulbs and printers to boilers and generators, various elements of your company’s electronics will be in need of maintenance at one point or another.

One of the most utilised and implemented plans is planned preventative maintenance. The purpose of this is to avoid reactive maintenance wherever possible; the system whereby your machinery is repaired once it has broken, rather than putting processes in place to avoid it happening in the first place.

Planned preventative maintenance works by aiming to predict when faults will occur to avoid a complete break down or shut down, which can of course severely interrupt the way in which a business conducts its day to day service. Having regular and agreed upon scheduled checks allows you peace of mind knowing that your systems are being monitored and are running effectively and efficiently. Time based planned preventative maintenance works by scheduling in checks based on the warranty, instructions and policy, as well as when those carrying out the checks deem it necessary based on their experience within the field having worked with these items before.

This is such a popular form of maintenance as it allows business operations to run smoothly, avoiding serious faults where possible, which can save great amounts of time and money. OCD FM’s Planned Preventative Maintenance service will:

• Ensure that all your mechanical and electrical equipment reaches and, where possible, surpasses its expected life span;
• Ensure that you benefit from the most economical solution;
• Support you in more accurately forecasting potential expenditure; and,
• Ensure that all your mechanical, electrical and soft services are compliant with Approved Codes of Practice and British Standards.

OCD FM are proud to offer a range of facilities management services to our clients, if you would like to ask any questions regarding planned preventative maintenance or about our business as a whole, do not hesitate to call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com.

Most people say that the build is the most important part of the construction industry. To a degree this is true, but what happens three years down the line when the once pristine build is having catastrophic breakages, costing a large sum to fix. This is where a maintenance plan becomes essential in your business plan.

Think of maintenance as a health care plan to your building. It provides the required check-ups and quick fixes in order for day to day runnings to continue. When comparing cost, the cost of regular maintenance is only a fraction of the repair price of a major breakdown, these breakages could even cause reduced, or stop in, production- not good for business. The main reason for maintenance is to ensure everything is working at 100% efficiency. Regular checks are able to detect an issue before it escalates into a dangerous or large-scale problem.

Both the production levels and safety of items is important for any company. For example, if a machine is not regularly checked, it could be that the machine becomes unsafe to use. Safety measures in properties are highly important both legally and morally. Unsafe areas and equipment could mean the increase of an accident. This can then lead to being sued, higher insurance premiums or lack staff, all affecting production levels.

A decrease in production could also tarnish your brand identity and relationship with customers as they may not be receiving the professional level which they expect from your company. Anything which could affect customer relationships should be prevented at all costs as customers are the route to funding your business. Simply, a lack of customers = lack of revenue.

Here at OCD FM, our partners come with a wealth of knowhow and experience. Our Account Managers work with them to build a detailed and comprehensive plan of maintenance. If you have any questions about maintenance and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

Being green is key for any business to become a smart business. If you haven’t already implemented green techniques into your day to day running of your company, you may be missing out on potential growth. Going green is not a trend and will not be leaving anyone’s minds any time soon. Regardless of how small or large your organisation may be, being more environmentally aware will help a range of business factors.

Save money – Strict budgets are good for strategy as well as being more eco-friendly. Any Financier would agree that making savings is not only essential – it is crucial to the longevity of any modern business. Therefore an Energy Conservation plan could make a vital difference in your organisation’s lifespan. One simple way to save money and be more environmentally aware is to reduce power consumption where appropriate. For example, switching normal light bulbs to CFL lights can save up to 70% on your electricity bills as well as making a positive effect on nature.  

Healthier workplace – By providing a healthy workplace it shows your employees and visitors that you care, both of them and the planet. Improved facility cleanliness could also translate into less staff sick days and a more productive approach to their work, therefore a better work rate for the company.

Brand image – A well-built brand image is paramount for a business to succeed. Being green can significantly contribute to an effective brand identity, both internally to staff and externally to customers. Once this has been constructed, you may be seen as a thought leader in your industry. Being a thought leader is one of the best opportunities for your business as it will not only create a sense of trust for customers, it will also give you a competitive edge.

Saving the planet – It is a widespread opinion that morally we should all try to be as green as possible. We live on this earth, meaning we should all do our best to keep it running properly. The more people who adopt green policies will encourage others to follow.

Here at OCD FM, energy conservation and reducing carbon footprints are a way of life for us, not just a statement. We work hard with our clients to help them become more green and efficient. We can provide a wide selection of energy reducing and money-saving options to aid any budget. If you have any questions about going green and how it may aid your business, call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com

If your business relies on machinery for its day to day operations, like most businesses do nowadays, then you will have considered different maintenance plans that are suitable for your business’ operations. From light bulbs and printers to boilers and generators, various elements of your company’s electronics will be in need of maintenance at one point or another.

One of the most utilised and implemented plans is planned preventative maintenance. The purpose of this is to avoid reactive maintenance wherever possible; the system whereby your machinery is repaired once it has broken, rather than putting processes in place to avoid it happening in the first place.

Planned preventative maintenance works by aiming to predict when faults will occur to avoid a complete break down or shut down, which can of course severely interrupt the way in which a business conducts its day to day service. Having regular and agreed upon scheduled checks allows you peace of mind knowing that your systems are being monitored and are running effectively and efficiently. Time based planned preventative maintenance works by scheduling in checks based on the warranty, instructions and policy, as well as when those carrying out the checks deem it necessary based on their experience within the field having worked with these items before.

This is such a popular form of maintenance as it allows business operations to run smoothly, avoiding serious faults where possible, which can save great amounts of time and money. OCD FM’s Planned Preventative Maintenance service will:

Ensure that all your mechanical and electrical equipment reaches and, where possible, surpasses its expected life span;
Ensure that you benefit from the most economical solution;
Support you in more accurately forecasting potential expenditure; and,
Ensure that all your mechanical, electrical and soft services are compliant with Approved Codes of Practice and British Standards.

OCD FM are proud to offer a range of facilities management services to our clients, if you would like to ask any questions regarding planned preventative maintenance or about our business as a whole, do not hesitate to call us on 01353 886 890 or email us at info@ocd-fm.com.