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Tim Poskin, VP, Ready 2 Respond Program

Ensuring the safety of people and property is one of a facilities manager’s highest priorities, yet there’s one safety factor that seems inevitable and hard to prevent: water damage. 

Water damage is inevitable, no matter how much you prepare. That’s why it’s critical to be ready to respond efficiently to mitigate water intrusion as soon as it happens. With proper training and tools, you can be truly prepared to respond and minimize the effects of these outcomes:

POTENTIAL WATER DAMAGE OUTCOMES

  1.  Occupant Safety and Public Image: Water damage can disrupt occupants' daily routines and compromise their safety and comfort – and lead to dissatisfaction and negative publicity. Social media is unfortunately full of examples of damaged reputations due to mismanaged water events. With expert guidance you can respond efficiently to  the unexpected, as the University of Tennessee-Knoxville did when a leak threatened to cause issues in a luxury suite at its sports stadium.
  2. Mold and Mildew Growth: Excess moisture from water damage can create the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth. These microorganisms not only damage the building but also pose health risks to occupants, especially those with asthma or allergies. The faster your response equates to a reduced risk for costly remediation services. A quick Google search of “university mold” reveals how common it is, especially in dormitories.
  3. Property Damage: Water damage can cause extensive harm to a building's structure, including floors, walls, ceilings, and foundations. This damage often requires costly repairs and leads to downtime, affecting business operations or occupants' comfort. Being aware of your facilities’ weaknesses can help prevent excessive damage. 
  4. Asset Damage: Water damage can harm valuable assets within the facility, including electronic equipment, furniture, inventory, and documents. Replacing or repairing these assets can result in substantial expense. The facilities team at Louisiana State University learned the hard way how quickly water can damage equipment.
  5. Disruption and Displacement: Water events can quickly render spaces inhabitable, causing facility teams to scramble for alternative plans for labs, classes and students, as it did recently at Arizona State University resulting in a closure of four buildings.

Water intrusions and moisture related problems like these are bound to happen at every education institution at some point, which is why preparedness is key. Our water damage experts can help you assess your current level of readiness – then develop a thorough first responder plan that includes SOPs for mitigation, communication, training, equipment use and tracking, and safety.

Our team stands ready to answer your mitigation questions and to assist your team with an assessment of your institution’s readiness. Please contact us on live chat or at Ready2Respond@r2rprogram.com to take action.