A parking garage is an important investment that requires ongoing maintenance. Parking garage maintenance tasks include everything from checking for cracks or damage. Staying on top of maintenance needs, before they become problematic, is an important cost-saving approach. Here are the items you will regularly need to take care of as a parking garage owner or someone who runs a parking garage.
There are a few aspects related to the structural system that should be routinely checked.
These include:
Depending on the environmental conditions, different areas of your parking garage may suffer deterioration or damages faster than others. It’s important to survey the entire structure on a weekly and monthly basis, keeping an eye out for any small repairs that will become bigger if they aren’t taken care of.
Additional structural components of a parking garage that should be regularly maintained are:
The entrances, exits and openings around a structure can be easy to miss. These are frequently the first places to show load issues or signs of stress. It’s essentially important to identify cracks, fractures, sloping or warping that could indicate a larger structural problem.
As a parking garage functions day to day, it will require regular, operational maintenance. These tasks include:
While certain items, like payment machine malfunction, will be brought to your attention, other operational maintenance items require proactive effort. Staying on top of all equipment maintenance will offset long-term costs.
Most parking garages have enhanced automation, which can save in labor costs but require specific maintenance. Tasks include:
If you own a parking garage for any length of time, you will probably upgrade appliances or systems that rely on electricity. It is vital that this is only done by a qualified electrician, since it will be inspected and must align with relevant codes.
The doors in your parking garage must latch and some of them must lock. Check mechanized doors and security doors. Doors may need hardware updates or regular lubrication to maintain proper function. Windows also should be part of your regular parking garage maintenance checklists, as they may be required to open for fire standards and should close fully to protect your indoor spaces from environmental conditions.
Air conditioning systems in your parking garage must be serviced like any other commercial HVAC units. They require regular preventative maintenance, which will include a thorough inspection, filter change and other slight modifications that improve function and efficiency. It is also important that you check ventilation in both outdoor and enclosed areas of your parking garage. There are serious health and safety standards that must be met at all times.
As any building owner knows, water is the most notorious culprit for decay and damage. Proper drainage and regularly maintenanced plumbing systems will offset the risk of water damage in your building. Here are the regular things that should be checked and relate to plumbing and drainage maintenance:
At the first indication of a leak or water damage of any kind, call a professional.
The aesthetics of a parking garage are important, both for the experience of employees and patrons and the overall value of the building. The following items merit regular attention:
There may be state regulations or simply community dynamics that stipulate which and how many languages sign text should be posted in. All of this is an important part of serving patrons and maintaining a well-kept parking garage.
To comply with state and federal regulations, there are several safety systems installed in parking garages. These must be maintained. Potential safety hazards that should be regularly reviewed include:
While each security system may be different, the basic components and function should be confirmed as operational at all times:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, parking garages may have to comply with specific regulations related to sanitizing shared spaces or enhanced cleaning protocol. It is important that you know what you are responsible for and that you are in alignment with best practice in this regard.
If your parking garage is in the United States, the structure must comply with state laws and regulations. The frequency with which you must have your parking garage inspected will vary from state to state. In a parking garage inspection, an official will confirm that your structure is in compliance with state laws for permitting, health/safety, building codes and more. As a building owner or someone who is maintaining a parking garage, the onus is on you to know the rules and maintain your parking garage accordingly. The condition assessment you receive from a parking garage inspector can provide helpful insight into additional parking garage maintenance steps you need to take each year.
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