MAKING SPACE
A
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SURVEYORS HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING COMPANIES TO RETURN TO WORK IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
s we have all heard countless times by now, the
Keeping property operational
Covid-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed how
At the start of the lockdown, the focus of facilities and property managers,
workplaces are occupied and how spaces are used –
in tandem with their technical advisers, was on devising low-occupancy
especially since lockdown measures were introduced. Like many facilities
and vacant buildings procedures around securing property, reducing the
management companies, the immediate challenge for Aramark was to
risk of flooding, fire safety, power, water, heating, ventilation and air
balance the health and safety protocols required for essential workplaces
conditioning systems, and safety, right through to managing a building
that would remain open, and the security and safety needs of those that
shutdown. While this task may have traditionally been seen as turning off
were forced to shut overnight. Thankfully, by putting people at the core of
the lights and locking the doors, the actions taken at this time were critical
both approaches, we were able to take care of employees, clients and
to keep properties operational, both for the tenant’s security, and in order
properties. Now, the challenge turns to business re-opening.
to maintain secure internet and server access for those employees now
The widespread closure of workplaces, schools, universities and
working from home.
childcare facilities has defined a new challenge for facilities management. As we prepare to re-occupy the buildings that were so speedily vacated in March, facilities
managers
are
uniquely placed to design comprehensive solutions to the key challenges of reoccupation in the short term, and in the longer term, the cultural change towards flexible working and work from home.
FEATURE Aodhán King Divisional Director Building Consultancy, Aramark Northern Europe
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SURVEYORS JOURNAL Volume 10, Issue 2, Summer 2020
