School building maintenance is vital for ensuring students and teachers are safe, happy and comfortable when learning. Whilst it may seem easier to wait until something goes wrong, planned preventative maintenance (PPM) is an important way of making sure things run smoothly for an ideal learning environment.
It can be highly beneficial in terms of cost savings, asset longevity and student well-being – read on for more information and how you can implement this crucial measure in your school.
Understanding Planned Preventative Maintenance
Planned preventative maintenance is a regular, scheduled maintenance routine that aims to prevent equipment failures and ensure their optimal functioning. In a school setting, it can extend building use life, maintain heating, air conditioning, electrical systems and even fabrics.
Unlike reactive maintenance, which is when you address a problem only when a fault arises, planned preventative maintenance is proactive. It means regular inspections, servicing equipment and carrying out preventive repairs to avoid minor issues escalating into costly problems later on.
This approach to school building maintenance reaps rewards in the long-run, because it reduces unexpected faults, disruptions to pupils’ learning and can help avoid unforeseen and unnecessary costs.
Key Components of PPM in Schools
A comprehensive planned preventative maintenance program helps the school to run smoothly and efficiently. Regular inspections, equipment servicing and system testing are crucial tasks that can identify early wear and tear or potential safety hazards. This will enable you to calmly carry out repairs and replace ageing infrastructure, before a crisis occurs.
A school building maintenance checklist could include tasks such as:
- Fire safety testing
- Checking electrical systems by a registered professional
- Inspecting air conditioning, replacing filters
- Testing security systems
- Maintenance of heating and plumbing systems
- Inspecting fixtures and fittings, door hinges and locks, furniture, paint work
- Checking windows and glass
- Inspecting electrical wiring, plug points, lighting
- Roof and guttering repair
Some tasks will need to take place monthly, some annually and others every few years. Planning ahead is crucial to getting on top of any issues that may occur, before they escalate.
Benefits of Implementing PPM in Schools
There are huge benefits to planned preventative maintenance in schools. In terms of cost savings, unexpected breakdowns can result in high repair costs and significant disruption to the school day. Proactively addressing maintenance can ensure any costs are planned, budgeted and of good value.
Increased energy efficiency from well-maintained infrastructure can also help save on energy costs.
Make savings by extending the lifespan of your assets. Regular upkeep and servicing can make equipment last for longer so you don’t need to regularly invest in new goods.
Planned preventative maintenance in school buildings also contributes to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment. Regularly inspecting and testing can flag safety hazards early, whether due to faulty electrical systems or outdated fire protection equipment. Addressing these issues proactively will ensure you keep to statutory requirements and protect the well-being of your staff and students.
Strategies for Implementing PPM in Schools
In order to make planned preventative maintenance a success in your school, collaboration between school administrators, maintenance staff and external contractors is essential. Clear communication around any planned activities will help the work progress smoothly. Make sure this happens as far as possible in advance and explain what is happening and why these preventative measures are important.
To minimise disruptions to the school learning environment, schedule maintenance tasks during school breaks. For smaller tasks, collaborate with staff to understand when would be the least disruptive time.
Ensure records are kept of any work carried out, in an accessible format.
Case Studies: Successful PPM Initiatives in Schools
Using a contractor such as Hollywell can be helpful to ensure you have all your school building maintenance bases covered. We understand how important it is to receive advice tailored to your unique education facility and have worked with schools and colleges to provide both reactive and planned maintenance solutions. We can work on both maintenance and infrastructure.
Our work in University College School saw us refurbish a grade 2 listed lodge building and construct a new extension. Currently it involves daily maintenance, providing a speedy service that ensures the school maintains an outstanding learning environment for its students.
In the Cardinal Wiseman School, we provided planned and reactive electrical and mechanical systems maintenance to school assets. We enjoyed working collaboratively with the facilities team to understand the unique infrastructure and ensure high safety standards were maintained at all times.
At Hollywell, we are experts in school building maintenance and ensure cost-effective solutions are carried out rapidly and on budget.
Planned preventative maintenance may seem daunting, but with some support and advice, can bring benefits year after year. Proactive, rather than reactive, maintenance can prevent unexpected crises and is crucial for saving money in the long-term, ensuring asset longevity and for student well-being. It is important any plans are communicated to staff and that PPMs are undertaken in school holidays to minimise disruption.
Contact Hollywell today on 01727 810555 to see how we can assist with your school’s planned preventative maintenance.