# Maintenance ## Building Operations & Maintenance FMO Building Operations & Maintenance cares for the systems that keep Harvard’s buildings safe, functional, and comfortable. As in‑house trades and operations experts, we maintain and repair mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life‑safety systems across Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood. ![Bright mechanical room with intricate piping, overhead ducts and floor grates](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2026-06/Maintenance%2013.png?itok=AUgdp-HC) ## expand\_more ## What We Do FMO Building Operations & Maintenance provides day‑to‑day operations support and technical maintenance for Harvard’s interior building systems. Our licensed trades staff and specialists combine deep knowledge of campus infrastructure with preventive maintenance programs, emergency response, and data‑driven diagnostics to keep facilities running safely and efficiently. **Our services include:** - Preventive Maintenance - Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing - Fire Safety Inspection & Testing - Elevator Inspection & Maintenance - Locksmith Services - Steam Trap Testing - Building Energy Audits - Infrared Testing ## Contact FMO Maintenance report\_problem [### 24/7 Urgent Response ]()Call the University Operations Center at (617) 495-5560 for urgent facility issues requiring an immediate response, such as **power outages, active leaks/flooding,** or any condition that poses a **health or safety risk.** handyman [### Routine Service Request ](/customer-hub#submit-a-service-request)Facility managers may submit routine service requests through the FMO Customer Hub, including MEP maintenance, elevator service, fire system shutdown, and locksmith services. school [### Student Residence Halls ](/school-unit-facilities-contacts)Maintenance needs in student residence halls are coordinated locally by the building manager. Please contact your building manager directly for further assistance. ## Explore Our Services Learn more about our specific maintenance, inspection, and testing programs below. [ Submit a work request arrow\_circle\_right ](/customer-hub#submit-a-service-request) [ Contact us with questions arrow\_circle\_right ](/maintenance#maintenance-leadership) Open all sections Close all sections ### Preventive Maintenance expand\_more 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. ### Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing expand\_more 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. ### Fire Safety Inspection & Testing expand\_more 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. ### Elevator Inspection & Maintenance expand\_more 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) ### Locksmith Services expand\_more 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. ### Steam Trap Testing expand\_more 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%. ### Building Energy Audits expand\_more 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 ### Infrared Testing expand\_more 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. ## FMO Maintenance by the Numbers 40,000+ Pieces of equipment maintained Our robust preventive maintenance program optimizes the life of HVAC systems and improves energy efficiency across Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood. $0.43 Savings per square foot Average energy savings opportunities identified by our building energy audits, with a typical payback of less than three years. Our audits exceed nationally recognized ASHRAE Level II standards. 600% Return on investment Our Steam Trap Testing Program identifies and replaces failing steam traps, averting energy loss and substantially reducing heating costs across the University. ## Building Operations & Maintenance Leadership Contacts [### Tony Ragucci ](/people/tony-ragucci) [tony\_ragucci@harvard.edu](mailto:tony_ragucci@harvard.edu)Director of Maintenance Services ![Headshot of a man in a button-down](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-06/tony_ragucci_harvard.edu-9dad8c3a-edited%20%283%29.jpg?h=4ff62a02&itok=CLsO5JI6) [### Matt Civittolo ](/people/matt-civittolo) [matthew\_civittolo@harvard.edu](mailto:matthew_civittolo@harvard.edu)Associate Director Cambridge & Allston ![Headshot of a man in a polo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-05/matthew_civittolo_harvard.edu-88724c2f-edited.jpg?h=dd985212&itok=hEMsPvnS) [### Eric Williams ](/people/eric-williams) [eric\_williams@harvard.edu](mailto:eric_williams@harvard.edu)Associate Director Longwood ![Headshot of a man in a blue polo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-06/eric_williams_harvard.edu-de38c209-edited.jpg?h=dadcd369&itok=b_nowLbG)