Did you know commercial businesses deal with an average of 800 hours of downtime annually? This downtime is detrimental to your operations, reducing your overall productivity by up to 5%.
However, building automation systems (BAS) and preventive measures can help increase your performance, ensuring your facility runs efficiently and your employees stay productive. Continue reading to discover what building automation and maintenance solutions you can use to keep your business up and running.
What Is System Downtime?
Downtime most often refers to issues that halt your daily operations. Unexpected events can cause equipment breakdowns that affect several facility operations, such as:
- Security
- Climate control
- Lighting
- Power
Problems with these systems are inevitable, as most businesses experience some sort of equipment failure throughout the year. Luckily, there are a few avenues you can take to minimize these risks.
How To Keep Your Facility Fully Operational
Let’s explore a few building automation maintenance best practices and technology you can implement to keep your facility running:
Use Centralized Data
The first action you can take to reduce potential issues is centralizing your facility data. Keeping track of operational information is critical for success, but with all the moving parts, it can be easy to get disorganized.
Your team needs a central place to track your daily building functions, such as:
- Maintenance actions
- Inventory ordering
- Tracking of underperforming assets
- System status updates
- Energy use reports
- Facility improvement avenues
The more your staff is able to communicate through potential issues, the faster you can notice trends and formulate facility improvement strategies.
However, without a complete picture of your operational data, it is impossible to assess your facility’s needs appropriately. Organizing and analyzing this data is challenging if you lack the proper technology.
Luckily, several types of BAS systems are available to help you track your daily operations. Your staff will have a complete view of your day-to-day operations in one organized and consolidated data platform.
Accessible Digital Data
What good is a comprehensive data report if you can’t act on it? With a user-friendly interface, BAS controls enable your staff to communicate about facility issues on an easy-to-navigate platform. By providing a database accessible to your entire facility staff, they’ll be able to:
- Assess facility needs
- Evaluate asset history
- Create service checklists
- Update equipment status
- Delegate workloads
- Stay ahead of issues
- Create improvement plans
- Work more efficiently
Good communication channels enable productive work, and your facility management is no exception. BAS tools give your staff the resources they need to work together to resolve facility issues and create a more effective building automation and maintenance solution.
Preventative Maintenance
Just like your car, your facility needs regular maintenance to run well. The ultimate goal of preventative maintenance is to make repairs and adjustments before your equipment reaches a critical state, and staying on top of your building automation maintenance is an effective way to prevent unexpected equipment problems.
Luckily, BAS tools make it easy to maintain your equipment. The sooner you diagnose problems, the better chance you have of obtaining parts and conducting maintenance before it’s too late.
By using specialized technology, BAS controls monitor your equipment for any unusual patterns, which helps your staff:
- Mitigate minor issues
- Identify problem areas
- Determine optimal maintenance timeframes
- Create a regular maintenance schedule
There are several types of BAS systems that can help, with CMMS software being one of the best. It gives you the capability to plan maintenance tasks days, weeks, months, or even years in advance.
Install Capture Devices
To get a complete view of your facility operations, your systems should be outfitted with sensors to collect performance data. Your devices should monitor:
- HVAC production
- Lighting status
- Energy efficiency
- Occupant patterns
The emphasis on each building automation maintenance system varies depending on your operational goals. In general, facility managers should prioritize BAS systems that monitor facility comfort levels and security, so they can:
- Monitor air comfort levels and make adjustments
- Identify underperforming lighting fixtures
- Assess what equipment is using too much energy
- Evaluate facility traffic in real time
Capturing the correct data is vital to understand what areas in your facility need the most attention.
Identify Channels for Improvement
Building automation maintenance reports allow you to streamline your entire operation. BAS controls help you save resources by providing a complete understanding of your equipment status and identifying areas for improvement.
With building automation maintenance tools, your staff can note any issues and repair or upgrade equipment. By consistently evaluating optimization channels, you’ll stay ahead of system issues and reduce your overall downtime.
Find a Trusted BAS Provider
Navigating the intricacies of building management technology is challenging. If you’re looking for help, consider partnering with a professional BAS provider. They’ll assess your facility, evaluate your needs, and provide recommendations for BAS solutions. For businesses with an existing BAS system, a provider will be able to implement building automation maintenance procedures to keep your facility efficient.
Georgia’s Top Choice for Building Automation and Maintenance Services
Since 1973, Frazier Service Company has provided intelligent building management solutions for companies throughout Atlanta. We approach our BAS solutions and maintenance with a customer-focused mindset. We care about our work, and your success is our success. Reach out to our expert team and experience the Frazier difference.
