Maintenance

We design and implement a wide variety of preventive maintenance programs for HVAC systems of all sizes.  Properly scheduled maintenance helps ensure equipment operates as designed, avoids wasting energy and optimizes the life of operating systems. We currently maintain more than 40,000 specific pieces of labeled equipment as part of our established programs.

Our fully licensed trades staff provide a full range of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services across campus, including installation and repair work on all interior building systems. From routine maintenance and consultations to 24/7 emergency response, our experienced team ensures your facilities operate safely and reliably at all times.

Our certified fire mechanics, electricians, and sprinkler fitters provide comprehensive inspection, testing, repair, and signal response services in conformance with all local codes and NFPA guidelines.

• System Maintenance: Scheduled testing and inspection of all fire alarms, suppression systems, and emergency generators.
• Emergency Response: Trained staff on-site 24/7 to respond to all fire alarm and trouble alarm signals.
• Scheduled Impairment: We manage temporary system shutdowns required to support scheduled building maintenance activities.

We oversee the maintenance and inspection of all passenger and freight elevators, dumbwaiters, and wheelchair lifts across the University. In collaboration with specialized external service providers, we manage:

• Monthly inspections and preventive maintenance
• Annual safety testing and certification
• 24/7 emergency response and repairs
• Major elevator modification and upgrade projects (managed on a fee-for-service basis)

We install, maintain, and repair all types of mechanical and electronic access control systems. Our experienced staff maintains a comprehensive inventory of replacement hardware, including specialized parts for legacy systems still operating across campus.

The Steam Trap Testing Program prevents energy loss and reduces heating costs across the University.

When a steam trap fails, escaping steam increases facility energy costs significantly. To prevent this, our trained technicians use advanced ultrasonic measurement equipment to detect failing traps within the heating infrastructure long before steam loss becomes visible. Identifying and replacing these failing traps offers a potential return on investment exceeding 600%.

The Building Energy Audit program is a valuable resource for facilities management teams across the University. The program, a joint effort between Facilities Maintenance Operations and Sustainable Built Environment, evaluates energy performance using the rigorous ASHRAE Level II standards adopted by the University’s GHG Executive Committee as the criteria for all campus energy audits.

Our internal team of certified auditors pinpoints efficiency improvement opportunities across the building’s entire mechanical, electrical, and lighting systems as well as the building envelope. Detailed reports include a review of energy performance and improvement opportunities supported by a comprehensive financial analysis that measures savings against investment.  The average savings opportunities identified are equivalent to $0.43 per square foot with a payback on the investments of less than three years.

Information is key to maximizing efficiency!

• Our audits exceed ASHRAE Level II standards.
• Thermal imaging to pinpoint efficiency improvement opportunities
• Mechanical system profiling to evaluate performance
• Electricity consumption analysis to identify usage patterns
• Thorough examination of the lighting infrastructure

Thermal imaging is a valuable tool for detecting a number of potential problems within a building. 

Electrical Distribution Systems

Certified FMO technicians are experienced in performing full scan thermography inspections on entire electrical distribution systems including power panels and disconnect switches.  The thermal scanner produces live images of the heat emitted from equipment, which can immediately identify an electrical fault not otherwise observable through the usual maintenance procedures.  Whenever a problem is observed, the technician will take additional diagnostic steps, including specific amperage readings, to help determine if the problem is an overloaded circuit or some other cause.

Building Envelope

Producing thermal images of building envelopes is an important step towards ensuring energy efficiency.  Heat loss can account for up to 50% of total energy consumption in a building with causes ranging from air leakage through chimneys, attics and wall vents to badly sealed doorways and failing argon gas windows to missing insulation.  Thermal images can detect and locate patterns and sources of heat loss that are invisible to the naked eye.  Our trained FMO staff use state-of-the-art thermal imaging cameras to help reveal missing insulation, HVAC air flow and equipment issues, radiant heating malfunctions, compromised roofing, and much more.  The resulting images are presented in report form and provide convincing evidence that pinpoints where improvements need to be made or how well they’ve been completed.