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COMMERCIAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR THE FALL

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Source: Allied Ins. 

During the fall season, the temperature gradually decreases, which means that winter is also coming.

Fall is the best time for building managers or property owners to think about routine maintenance for their commercial buildings to keep their tenants safe and to avoid costly repairs down the road.

This article will talk about commercial building maintenance tips that you can do in the fall.

Get an HVAC Inspection or a Tune-Up

Apart from changing the air filters every two to three months, it’s essential that you get a tune-up or a thorough inspection of your HVAC system at least a month before the cold weather sets in.

A licensed technician can diagnose and resolve a potential problem to keep your system running efficiently with a tune-up. This routine maintenance won’t only make your tenants comfortable, but it can also save you money in the long run.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

Keep in mind that the insurance company may not cover roof repairs or replacement, especially when the property owner failed to maintain the roof. Getting a roof inspection also helps you prevent costly problems such as water damage or other issues. Hire a licensed and insured roofer for the inspection to avoid accidents and to ensure a good job.

Check the Electrical Components

To prevent electrical problems, ensure that you check all of the electronic appliances and their components. Make sure that they are in good condition. If you’re using seasonal heaters, turn them off when unused.

Check your smoke detectors and your backup generators to ensure that they will work. If possible, hire a licensed electrician to do all these. They can perform maintenance to the entire electrical system to avoid emergencies.

Check Your Plumbing

Hire a licensed plumber to check the entire system, especially those exposed pipes. You need to also inspect the faucets and the irrigation systems.

The pipes have to be well insulated to prepare for the colder weather because when the temperature reaches below zero, the water inside exposed pipes could freeze and may expand and burst. You don’t want any water damage to your commercial property because repairs may cost you a fortune.

Inspect the Gutters and Clean the Interior of the Building

Falling leaves could affect your gutter system, so make sure that they are clear to avoid problems. It’s also best for you to deep clean the interior of the building, especially since colder temperatures are coming. Disinfect the common areas to prevent flu and other illnesses.

Check the Foundation of the Building

The fall is also time to look for any visible cracks in the building’s foundation and ensure that you contact a professional if there are issues. Check the windows and doors, and if they’re working properly. Contact a professional if you need assistance.

DON’T IGNORE MINOR PROBLEMS

Remember, most emergencies don’t happen overnight. They happen because the property owners either failed to perform maintenance or ignored problems that need attention.

Always get in touch with a professional technician or contractor if you need help.

Reach out to ESP if you have any questions!

The Advantages of Parking Lot Lighting

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The Advantages of Parking Lot Lighting

By Charlotte Bonita – Commercial Lighting Blogger 

There are a number of advantages to parking lot lighting than you might have initially thought. These can come in the form of design, professionalism, and security. Just as installing lighting will have advantages in the safety of pedestrians, it can also include advances in design, professional status, and attraction of a business. Have a look at the following pros of parking lot lighting, and why it is something you should consider.

Protecting Your Business

Installing parking lot lighting protects your business in terms of the security and safety of your business’s assets. If your business has an unlit parking lot, then it’s more likely to attract unwanted attention from thieves and burglars who are looking to stay out of sight before potentially performing a break-in.

If a building becomes attractive to the wrong kind of audience, expensive computers and other equipment are at stake, and there is no guarantee, despite security systems, that robbery will not be attempted during the late hours of the night.

While it is advisable to install security systems or cameras alongside parking lot lighting to ensure the highest level of security and prevention of risks, parking lot lighting is a factor that will help towards lowering the risk of criminal activities.

Protecting Pedestrians

Installing lighting into a parking lot also improves the safety of on goers and pedestrians. While a dark parking lot can be a perfect lurking spot for criminals and thieves, a well-lit-up area creates a safer environment for passers-by and local pedestrians.

Parking lot lighting also creates a safer environment for employees who might be working late or leaving their car in the parking lot. It gets dark early in winter and fall, which means staff who might be walking to their car on their way home are far more likely to get robbed than if the area was completely illuminated.

It is also a safety precaution in terms of driving in the pitch-black darkness, as pulling out of a parking space is a lot harder in this case. To prevent any unnecessary accidents, installing parking lot lighting can help.

Design

The installments of lights in a parking lot can not only improve the safety and security of the area and your business’s assets but can also create a better sense of environment and design. Lighting will illuminate the parking lot as well as the building where the business is present, making it stand out and look more presentable.

Professionalism

Installing parking lot lighting gives the building and business a higher professional status, making it appear well kitted out and ready for any clients who might come to visit.

Businesses that don’t have parking lot lighting installed will appear less practical than those who do, and clients visiting for meetings will be safer if the area is lit.

Overall, parking lot lighting might seem like an extra mile to go, but in fact, the extra mile you go will heighten the level of safety, security, design, and professionalism a business already possesses.

If you are interested in upgrading any lighting design for your business you need to first contact the professionals at ESP! We will help you from there!

Business Energy-Saving Tips

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12 Small Business Energy-Saving Tips

By: constellation.com

  1. Get an energy audit. An energy audit can help determine your baseline energy use and offer a clear outline for ways to save energy at work. A professional will then come out to your business and do a full inspection of your location to check for air leaks, insulation issues, or opportunities to install energy-efficient lighting. Contact ESP services to get started!

  2. Purchase energy-efficient office equipment. Before you buy or lease office electronics, check to see if they are ENERGYSTAR-rated. An ENERGYSTAR-rated appliance has been evaluated and deemed energy-efficient, which can save you money and help you manage your small business energy costs, especially in the long run.
  3. Reduce Peak Demand. One of the best ways to save electricity in an office is to reduce your peak demand. The phrase “peak demand” refers to the hours in a day when energy usage is at its highest. Peak demand times are typically normal office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). You can reduce your demand during this time by staggering work hours/start times, running heavy equipment and factory equipment during the evening and early morning hours, and conserving energy throughout the day.
  4. Program your thermostats. This is one of those office energy-saving tips that is especially relevant for a 9-5 workplace. You don’t need to heat or cool a workplace after everyone has gone home for the night. Even if your team’s hours vary, using programmable or smart thermostats to manage the temperature during “off” hours can make a big difference. 

  5. Turn off lights when not in use. It might seem like a no-brainer, but in a typical office, lights stay on in areas like break rooms, bathrooms, or conference rooms, even when those spaces aren’t being used. Sensor lights can help to keep the lights on when needed, but off when they’re not.
  6. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. It’s one of the easiest and simplest energy-saving ideas in the workplace: switch out your regular incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs such as CFL or LED. This will help you use a significantly less amount of electricity.
  7. Take advantage of natural sunlight. If you’re fortunate enough to have an office space where there’s abundant natural light, use it! On a sunny day, you might not need to turn on the lights at all in areas where windows can give all the illumination you need. While using passive solar heating might not seem like one of the ways to save energy at work, it really does help. The fewer kilowatt-hours of energy you use, the less you have to pay.
  8. Start running fans. You can reduce your energy usage in the workplace simply and easily by running fans in offices, warehouses, showrooms, and kitchens. Fans keep air flowing so your HVAC unit can run more efficiently.
  9. Power down computers and other office equipment at the end of the day. If computers are not being used through the hours when your staff isn’t working, have your team be in the habit of shutting them down before they leave. Turning off and unplugging as many devices as possible at the end of the day is a simple way to cut back. This includes energy efficient coffee makers, toasters, and similar appliances.
  10. Prevent “Phantom energy”. Phantom energy is the energy that is still being used by equipment that remains plugged in but not in use. A great office energy-saving tip is to have your computer peripherals (printers, monitors, etc.) connected to power strips (aka “surge protectors”) so that the flip of a single switch can shut down several devices at a time.
  11. Think outside your building. Are you in control of the landscaping around your business? If so, you have a great opportunity to create energy savings for your small business with energy-efficient landscaping. Strategically planting trees to block winds or provide shade on hot summer days can help reduce your heating and cooling costs.
  12. Get employees engaged in energy-efficient practices. If you, as the business owner, are looking to reduce electricity costs, that’s great! But that may only get you so far. Inspiring employees to be energy-efficient in their day-to-day work lives may take some time, but check out our page on Improving Employee’s Energy-Saving Practices to see tips and tricks on how to raise morale while lowering small business energy costs.

Have more questions? Contact ESP today!

WHY IS ACCESS CONTROL IMPORTANT?

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Access controls limit access to information and information processing systems. When implemented effectively, they mitigate the risk of information being accessed without the appropriate authorization, unlawfully, and the risk of a data breach. They apply anywhere access is required to perform a business activity and should be adhered to when accessing information in any format, on any device.

In practice it is not uncommon for access to information to be overly restrictive, resulting in information silos. Whilst a focus on security and privacy is obviously needed to protect business information and meet data protection legislation obligations, there must also be a balance with accessibility. Opening up information assets supports collaboration and innovation, and in our experience supports successful eDRMS (electronic document and records management system) projects.

To implement an effective access control environment, we recommend the following six areas are given careful consideration:

1. ACCESS CONTROL PRINCIPLES

Guiding principles that provide rules for all implementations of access to networks, systems, information, and data. This can include principles relating to:

  • Access approval by a registered owner (e.g. an information, business, or system owner)
  • The sharing of personal data
  • Role and group-based access

2. WHO DETERMINES ACCESS?

What roles understand and approve access requests? Do you have Information on Asset Owners? In practice will they delegate responsibility for determining access to a Line Manager?

3. WHO ENSURES APPROPRIATE ACCESS IS IMPLEMENTED?

Is this your helpdesk? Do you have Information Champions who can ensure access is implemented correctly and that it is appropriate?

4. HOW ACCESS WILL BE DOCUMENTED

Access controls must be documented to provide evidence of the controls implemented. This can be in an Information Asset Register, helpdesk system, or even Active Directory

5. HOW THE ACCESS CONTROLS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED

Do you have a Business Classification Scheme or an eDRMS that will support the implementation of access controls? Do your new starter, transfers and leaver processes ensure access is set up, amended, or revoked where and when necessary?

6. PERIODIC AUDIT PROCEDURE

Access controls should be audited on a periodic basis to ensure controls align to what is needed and is documented. Would this be done by your helpdesk?

Access controls are an essential part of an information security framework. Reviewing these six areas will give your organization a solid foundation for controlling user access to information and systems, that meets your legislative, statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

If you would like to know how to go about articulating access controls in a model or policy, get in touch with Electrical Service Professionals!

Why You Need a Commercial Electrician for Your Business

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Source: United Electrical

If you’re a business owner or in charge of property management, there’s a good chance you’ve considered, or gone forward with, hiring an electrician for your business’s electrical needs. Therefore, you likely understand the importance of keeping your workplace safe from electrical hazards. It’s difficult finding a licensed, high-quality, and trusted electrician. This is especially true once you’ve invested a large amount of money into a new project or major repair. Researching potential electricians can be confusing because of the different types of electricians available for hire. For example, some electricians offer expertise on a very specialized and centralized focus while others provide services for all standard electrical needs. How will you know which type of electrician is right for your business? Luckily a commercial electrician specializes in business electrical needs.

 

Choosing the Right Commercial Electrician

Above all, you need an experienced commercial electrician who’s performed quality commercial electrical work for at least a few years. An electrician with more experience is likely going to have more knowledge about finding solutions for the problems your business faces. A good commercial electrician is adaptable, flexible, and creative. This is especially necessary for businesses needing a quick electrical solution or advice on a specific type of building. Hire a commercial electrician with relevant and up-to-date licenses and certifications. A high-quality commercial electrician continuously updates their education and training and remains current on the proper codes to abide by safety regulations.

Additionally, a good commercial electrician works easily with a variety of people, including business owners, builders, and commercial contractors. They also need excellent communication and listening skills for communicating effectively and relaying what needs to be done for a project to reach successful completion.

 

How Your Business Benefits From a Commercial Electrician

Virtually any and every business requires electricity for some aspect of their business. Licensed electrical contractors know everything there is to know about electrical systems. That being said, they can suggest ways of reducing the electricity usage of your business. They can also recommend repairs and fixes if any electrical equipment is experiencing problems. Here are some reasons why hiring a commercial electrician is beneficial for your business:

Commercial Lighting

Proper visibility and lighting are crucial for making sure your employees are working to the best of their abilities. There are a variety of different lighting options available. Therefore, every business owner must choose the right type for their building. Automated lighting systems are one modern lighting solution for businesses. Automated lights minimize electrical waste and save your business money.

Electrical Codes

You already have a lot on your plate and worrying about electrical regulations and electrical codes isn’t high on your list of priorities for running your business. With this in mind, licensed electrical contractors uphold the electrical codes for each location they’re operating in. Business owners can be certain the electrical work the commercial electrician they hire does is in compliance with the various codes. This is crucial for employee safety and adherence to legal standards. Keep in mind that a residential electrician may not be as familiar with codes and regulations for business. Therefore, hire a licensed commercial electrician for peace of mind.

Spotting Electrical Hazards

Furthermore, commercial electrical contractors have specialized skills and training for identifying potential workplace safety hazards. A commercial electrician spots hidden issues and problems. This helps minimizes the risks of electrical fires and other electrical dangers.

 

 

Hiring a Commercial Electrician for Moving Your Business’ Location

Hiring a commercial electrician is necessary when moving the location of your business. You’ll need to know what needs to get done before moving everything into a new building. It’s very important to know what’s going to be done with your existing equipment and if you’ll be receiving any additional equipment and devices.

Hire a commercial electrician like the ones at Electrical Service Professionals when moving your business to a new location. Keep in mind that the type of location you’re moving to makes a big difference as well. Will you be in a new office? A restaurant/? A store? As an example, a restaurant could have 20 or more separate pieces of equipment and machinery that require electrical connections, certain voltage levels, and different levels of lighting. This type of electrical work requires a licensed commercial electrician to evaluate the electrical needs of your business before and after moving. Take these steps to make sure you have everything in place for your new location:

Step 1: Gather All Necessary Information

Make sure you have all the information ready before the commercial electrician arrives on the worksite including:

  • The type of machinery and equipment that needs to be moved
  • The voltage that each piece of equipment requires
  • How many machines and how much equipment you have
  • Locations of phone lines, computers, network equipment, cash registers, etc.
  • The type of lighting you’re considering or what’s already installed (high bay lighting, recessed lighting, low voltage lighting, automated lighting, etc.)

Therefore, without any of this information, your commercial electrician will be lost and spend a lot of their time trying to figure out the answers to these questions. As always, if you need help with anything electrical-related, like the type of lighting that would be best for your business, we’ll be happy to come to your location and figure out a few options for you.

Step 2: Electrical Evaluation

Next, call up the electricians at Electrical Service Professionals to come to your new site and figure out what electrical work needs to be done.

Step 3: Permit Process and Electrical Drawings

After receiving all of the information and suggestions from the commercial electrician, begin the electrical permit process for the location of your new business. During this process, an electrical engineer creates a plan for the township detailing the electrical work and project. This is how you get your electrical permit.

Step 4: Beginning Electrical Work

Once all of your electrical work has been approved and you’ve received your permit, Electrical Service Professionals will begin on your project. Introductory work includes running new electrical wires, installing new lighting, and any other necessary preliminary work.

Never try to cut corners or save money by hiring an unlicensed electrician to perform electrical work. Additionally, it’s best to even steer clear of a commercial electrician without a quality reputation. Choosing the wrong commercial electrician for your business can delay your opening time and increase your stress.  Looking for electricians you can trust, look no further than Electrical Service Professionals! We are a certified team of licensed electricians offering commercial, and industrial electrical services. Click here to get in touch for your next electrical project!

How You Can Prevent the Negative Effects of Power Outages

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By: fosterfuelsmissioncritical.com

Even with advanced technology and hardware, events like harsh weather can occur which cause unplanned power outages. Make sure you prepare your business for a short-term or long-term power outage. By ensuring your company takes the following precautions to prepare for an outage, you will help prevent the long-term negative impacts a power outage can have:

1. Business Continuity Plans

Developing a business plan for power outages prepares your company in case a disaster occurs. A continuity plan helps outline how to continue to deliver products and services to your customers regardless of any internal operational problems that may occur because of outages. Having a plan will help ensure that personnel and assets are protected and can still function properly.

To develop a plan, you should create a committee and work together to identify potential risks you might experience and how those risks will impact your operations. The next part of your plan should include implementing procedures to help mitigate those risks.

After you have created your business continuity plan, you should ensure that all of your procedures work by testing and practicing them. Don’t forget to continuously check and review the process to ensure everything is up-to-date and working as expected.

2. Emergency Response Training

An important step after creating your plan is to educate your employees and test their emergency response with drills. Having drills will help you be able to evaluate the ability of your employees to complete their job assignments in the event of an emergency.

3. Install a UPS Device

One way to help prevent your company’s computers from being damaged or losing data stored in RAM is to use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device. UPS devices help equipment to stay on temporarily when a power outage occurs. These devices allow equipment time to shut down properly. Many UPS devices also have surge protection to help mitigate damage to computers from spikes.

4. Have a Backup Generator

Backup power sources are essential for many industries. Having a backup generator is a simple way to prevent unplanned downtime from power outages. To determine the proper generator size your company will need, take inventory of the equipment the generator will need to power. Skilled technicians can help you determine the proper backup generator for your business needs and install it correctly.

You have the option to purchase a portable or standby generator. Portable generators tend to be lower in cost and wattage and run on gasoline. For larger businesses, standby generators are the ideal solution. Standby generators are more expensive and run on diesel, natural gas, or propane. They automatically turn on when the power goes out to help your operations continue during power outages.

5. Emergency Backup Fuel

Ensuring that your company has a backup generator may not be enough. You will need to maintain and test your fuel to ensure that you have high-quality fuel to operate your generator in case of an emergency power outage. Scheduling regular tank maintenance can help confirm that your generators are working properly and will be ready for a critical situation. Using fuel additives and fuel polishing can also increase your fuel efficiency and quality.

Luckily, if you are out of fuel during an outage or the fuel you have has become unusable, there are emergency fuel delivery services that can help you out. Finding a fuel delivery service can enable you to get your business back up and running so you won’t lose out on additional revenue during a longer-than-anticipated power outage.

Prepare Your Business for a Power Outage

Power outages can occur at unexpected times and for a variety of reasons. They can cause your business to come to a halt. Don’t let your business lose out on revenue or productivity. Make sure your business is ready in the event that your organization faces an unplanned power outage. Start preparing today by creating a business continuity plan for power outages, getting an appropriately sized backup generator, and ensuring you have high-quality fuel to continue operating your generator.