Learn the 4 ways to help ensure building safety
The role of a Building Manager is essential in the management, supervision, and maintenance of a property. Building managers have many tasks and responsibilities to help ensure that everything runs smoothly from general operations and security, to property and tenant safety, so that everything is working properly.
Being in charge of the safety of a family can be overwhelming, watching over everyone and making sure that every corner of the house is safe and functional for the family. Missing a single thing, even leaving an open wire exposed, can lead to a costly result and the same is true for Building Managers: They are in charge of the building safety not just of the common property, but also of its occupants.
Whether managing a multi-dwelling residential property or a commercial property, Building Managers need to keep the property safe and functioning for everyone. What makes it even more critical is that they oversee the safety of hundreds to even thousands of people.
4 Significant ways to promote building safety
Here are some practical safety tips for building managers:
1. Ensure that traffic routes are efficient.
Traffic routes dictate the flow and movement of people, equipment, and vehicles. Whether managing an apartment complex, a warehouse, or a shopping centre, Building Managers need to ensure a smooth traffic flow of both humans and vehicles.
Two-thirds of worker deaths on-site involve vehicles. Managing the traffic on the property will drastically reduce risks and accidents. Here are some steps that Building Managers should take in managing the traffic routes on the property:
- Assess and identify hazards.
- Identify and assess possible harm and injuries on the property.
- Implement measures to reduce risks.
Hazards and risks should be identified based on daily on-site activities. From there, a traffic route can be designed that is safer and efficient for everyone. Whether you are managing traffic for a warehouse or the parking area of a commercial or multi-dwelling residential property, an established traffic design is important.
- First, the route must be wide enough for the intended traffic.
- Next, traffic flow can be managed by establishing traffic directions. There must be clear traffic route directions to avoid confusion which can lead to accidents including the direction of travel, speed limits, height limits, and authorised vehicle types.
- Entrances and exits must also be established, with proper and visible signage.
- Pedestrians must also be separated from vehicles by erecting barriers to provide walkways for foot traffic.
- In a large setting, site maps can help let everyone know about traffic flow and accessibility in your building.
2. Establish a set of evacuation guidelines.
Emergencies can happen anytime, without warning, so it is essential to establish a set of well-designed evacuation guidelines for tenants to follow in case of emergencies. It can be almost impossible to direct a crowd once panic ensues.
Emergency signs, evacuation maps, and safety maps placed in strategic places can help inform people what to do and where to go. Some dangers inside the property, such as fire, necessitate that everyone should leave the building immediately. As the panic sets in, it can be hard to remember which way is which, making it critical to have emergency signage and maps in place.
A well-designed building safety and evacuation map can guide employees, tenants, and customers during emergencies. It should inform the reader which way they should go, and which exit is nearest to them. This also helps establish the flow of traffic to avoid stampede during an evacuation.
In the event of a fire, it also shows where the nearest fire-fighting equipment is located and indicate the nearest assembly point.
3. Address problems immediately.
A building manager has to deal with different facility problems such as lights that are not working or faulty air conditioning and it is important to address problems as soon as possible. Leaving them unaddressed may result in more serious and costly problems in the future.
An unattended problem with the flooring, such as loose tiles, can lead to accidents and injuries, for example. If it cannot be repaired immediately, safety signage should be put up to let everyone know of the hazard. Barriers can also help keep the unaware or children away.
Dealing with problems and repairs helps ensure the safety, comfort and satisfaction of everyone on-site and help conserve the property’s value by not letting problems grow into larger issues that may be detrimental to the integrity of the property. In turn, this will assure your tenants, employees, and customers that you have their safety and comfort at heart by dealing with issues with a sense of urgency.
4. Make sure regular maintenance is performed.
Regular maintenance will highlight problems before they blow out to catastrophic proportions. Being proactive is one of the best ways to ensure the safety of the property and its occupants.
Do not wait until an issue shows up before acting on it. Getting ahead of the problem can make things easier and more manageable for Building Managers.
Need emergency signs in your property? Call Safety Maps now.
Safety Maps offers high-quality, well-designed and customised safety and emergency signs for buildings. We know the importance of keeping tenants, customers, and employees informed, especially during unforeseen emergencies. With our evacuation diagrams, site maps, and emergency signage, we can help you ensure the safety of everyone in your building’s vicinity. Visit us at safetymaps.com.au, or call us on 02 8078 0302 and let us discuss your safety sign needs so that you can keep everyone in the building as safe as possible.
