Ready When It Counts: Tips for Equipment Storage

By Pat Muller, Ready 2 Respond Instructor

Response time is everything – a fast, coordinated approach to water damage can mean the difference between a minor cleanup job and major damage. When buildings span across multiple acres, getting the right equipment in place quickly will minimize downtime and disruption.

But effective response starts long before an incident happens – it requires strategic planning for both fixed and mobile equipment placement. Scrambling to find an extractor or rushing to change a dehumidifier filter delays the facilities team’s response and thus reduces its effectiveness.

By ensuring water damage tools are properly stored, labeled, and maintained, facilities teams can act fast, reduce costs, and streamline recovery efforts.

Set Up for Success

Whether dealing with a pipe burst, storm flooding, or an HVAC leak, the faster a facilities team can access the right tools, the quicker they can limit damage and prevent costly repairs. But simply having the equipment isn’t enough – where and how it’s stored can make all the difference.

For large campuses with multiple buildings spread across acres, it’s essential to balance fixed and mobile equipment placement to ensure rapid deployment when an emergency occurs. Fixed equipment should be strategically placed in high-risk areas where quick action is critical, while mobile equipment needs to be easy to access, transport, and deploy across different buildings.

Some storage strategies that work well:

• Store “kits” of equipment in multiple locations across campus, rather than in a single, centralized storage area – with each kit including all types of equipment that will be needed (extractor, dehumidifiers, airmovers, and air scrubber).
• Identify storage closets or rooms that can be used for housing equipment and ensure that each piece of equipment is easy to identify and properly labeled.
• Use vans, trucks, or trailers to house mobile response units with equipment kits, and place them strategically around campus in easy-to-access locations.
• Consider which areas are at higher risk for water damage, such as basements and mechanical rooms, when mapping out placement.
• Stock essential supplies – like extra filters and hoses – with each kit to avoid unnecessary delays.
• Designate team members to track, log, and maintain both fixed storage and mobile units.

Additionally, every facilities team member should have easy access to a moisture meter to quickly assess the extent of water damage and determine the most effective drying approach.

How R2R Can Help

As part of its assessment process, the R2R team works with facilities to develop a coordinated strategy for equipment placement and deployment – taking into account campus size, available staffing and storage areas, and building makeup (e.g., research labs, dormitories, office spaces).

In addition to strategic equipment placement, R2R can help implement a tailored staff training program to ensure teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively. Even the best-placed equipment is ineffective if staff aren’t trained to operate it optimally.

Contact the R2R team to schedule an assessment, plan equipment storage, and execute a training plan. For tips on drying after water damage, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our Facility Insights newsletter.