program for school exteriors

The benefits of an inspection program for school exteriors

Responsibilities & Preventative Maintenance

There are many areas on the outside of schools that require inspections. The inspection procedures and recommended frequencies are usually based on national and provincial codes, regulations and standards, preventative maintenance, and best loss prevention practices.

What Applies for Schools – Exterior Inspections

1. Safety Inspections – playground and sports fields, exterior lighting, exterior exits, entrance and exiting areas, fire protection systems, etc. 2. Preventive Maintenance Inspections – walkway, sidewalk, stairs, ramps, steps & handrail condition, roof drains, roof and exterior wall condition, parking lots, etc. 3. Exterior Safety – walkway areas, steps and stairs, parking lots, roof access, etc.

Preventive Maintenance – Predicting a Problem before it happens

Whenever there are cutbacks, preventive maintenance usually takes a hit. The need to provide a regular digitally documented preventive inspection program cannot be over stated. How do we know how long our equipment will operate? What condition is the equipment in? What maintenance and testing should be provided if we don’t develop a digitally documented inspection program?

With all the time and supports required to operate a safe building and exterior facility in schools, it is difficult at times to meet these inspections frequencies even though they are required by various national or provincial codes, regulations, or standards.

The inspection requirements for schools can be fairly extensive but a Digital Inspection Program can help by providing you with the following information: • Reduce recurring problems. • Prevent the use of unsafe assets, thus reducing employee and student injuries. • Help set up ideal maintenance schedules. • Maximize scheduling productivity. • Budget for repairs and updates.

Inspection requirements should encompass

A regular (monthly) inspection program, preferably digital, should be developed and put into place which covers the following areas as a minimum: a) All means of egress, exterior exit stairs, walkways, ramps, stairs, steps, handrails pathways, and fire exits. b) All parking lot areas, exterior lighting, curb stops, entrance &

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exit signage, and parking lot lineage. c) Playgrounds, sports fields, basketball hoops, and children’s play spaces and areas. d) Exterior sprinkler systems, drains, FD connections, signage, and fire hydrant condition.

Conclusion

• Conduct a risk analysis or needs assessment. This will help you determine your inspection needs. • Identify all areas to be inspected.

Makes it easier to develop specific ways of developing an inspection program that will meet the requirements of the various codes, regulation, and standards. • Monitor your progress, make changes if needed. • Stay informed. • Talk to risk management professionals, people in your industry, staff, and various other organizations.

For additional information, contact: Alan Kavanaugh, CRM, CCPI Director of Loss Control & Risk Management, Noratek Solutions Inc. akavanaugh@noratek.com T: 1-866-264-2236 C: 250-961-8186 P: 250-564-2236 www.cityinspectionsoftware.com

Alan has provided Loss Control Services to school districts, municipalities, industry, and government operations for over 35 years. He has developed a set of training programs, workshops, and audits to help all organizations accumulate and prioritize information and develop short- and long-term compliance plans. Alan is based out of Prince George, B.C. but provides services throughout Western Canada. n With all the time and supports required to operate a safe building and exterior facility in schools, it is difficult at times to meet these inspections frequencies even though they are required by various national or provincial codes, regulations, or standards.