Facility management can be one of the most important aspects of running an educational institution. School buildings are centerpieces to the educational process, and the better they are maintained, the more effective that process can be. The role of facility managers in schools is diverse, sometimes encompassing painting classrooms, unclogging toilets and answering queries from teachers about carpeting supplies. This series will cover everything about managing school facilities—sharing insights on what makes for good schools and how you might help establish them.
Elements of Facility Management in Schools
The first element is space usage. Everything about the building should be designed to allow optimal utilization of the space available. This means that rooms should be laid out in an efficient manner, furniture should be chosen with the intention of maximizing the number of students per square foot, and lighting should be used to ensure that activities can take place during daylight hours. Good facilities management will ensure that these things are implemented thoughtfully and consistently throughout the school facilities.
School facilities should include a wide range of classrooms, meeting rooms and other spaces. Modern schools should also include facilities such as gyms and athletic fields as well as outdoor learning areas such as the local park. All of these spaces will require ongoing maintenance, and management of facilities should call for careful planning to ensure that all these spaces can be effectively utilized. The efficiency of other functions in the facility should never be compromised to allow for other priorities, and this means that planning and budgeting must be done carefully.
The second element is the management of equipment. Equipment should be managed in such a way that it can be used effectively and efficiently for the purpose for which it was originally intended. This means that maintenance schedules should be kept to a minimum or that "opportunity cost" should be taken into account to ensure that older equipment is replaced for new technology. Equipment should also undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure it continues to function properly. If something breaks down, any necessary repairs or replacements must be completed immediately so that the school's services are not disrupted.
The third element is sustainable environment management. The buildings and other equipment in the schools are a possible threat to the environment. Irresponsible use of resources like wasting water or electricity is very common in an educational institution, which in long run will adversely affect both the school and the environment. By responsible resource management, the schools can minimize their contributions to the pollution and make school a safe place for the children.
What is the best?
Earlier, many educational institutions preferred to hire various people for multiple facility management functions such as gardening and cleaning. But this system brings no coordination among the work, demanding a lot of effort in maintaining the building properly. Assigning a facility management service provider can solve this issue! A professional and reputed facility management company like Uniservice will be a great option. Uniservice is one of the best facility management service providers in Bangalore and is always ready with skilled people on board to assist you. Check out the official website for more information.