The Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial Building Repairs and Maintenance

Commercial buildings are larger-scale structures that typically serve commercial purposes such as offices, hotels, shopping centers, hospitals, and condominiums. These structures are designed to accommodate a large number of people, and as such, they require regular maintenance and repairs to keep them operational and safe. However, with the onset of COVID-19, commercial building repairs and maintenance have been significantly impacted. In this article, we will discuss how the pandemic has affected these critical operations.

Importance of Maintenance and Repairs in Commercial Buildings

Before understanding the impact of COVID-19 on commercial building repairs and maintenance, it is crucial to explain the importance of these operations. Regular maintenance and repairs of commercial buildings are necessary to optimize the function of the building and ensure the safety of the occupants. It helps to identify potential issues before they become major problems and prevent them from occurring. It also helps to maintain the value of the building, increase energy efficiency, and reduce operating costs.

Background Information on COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease that emerged in 2019 and rapidly spread across the globe, causing a global pandemic. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus has devastated businesses and economies worldwide, causing widespread disruptions in supply chains and pushing many companies to the brink of bankruptcy.

How COVID-19 has affected Commercial Building Repairs and Maintenance

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a profound impact on commercial building repairs and maintenance. The pandemic has highlighted the critical role that buildings play in public health and safety, which has resulted in more stringent regulations and guidelines that building owners and property managers need to follow.

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Changes in Commercial Building Repairs and Maintenance due to COVID-19

The following are some of the changes that have occurred in commercial building repairs and maintenance due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Increase in Demand for HVAC and Ventilation Systems

The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, and thus, proper ventilation is critical in preventing the spread of the disease. As a result, there is a significant increase in demand for HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems that meet the latest air filtration and circulation standards.

Emphasis on Disinfecting and Sanitizing Building Surfaces

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces have become a top priority as a way to limit the spread of the virus. This includes more frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas such as elevator buttons, door handles, and light switches.

Importance of Touchless Technology in Commercial Buildings

Touchless technology, such as automatic doors, voice-activated elevators, and hands-free faucets, has become increasingly popular in commercial buildings. This technology helps to reduce the number of surfaces that people need to touch, thereby limiting the spread of the virus.

Increased Reliance on Technology for Building Maintenance

To reduce the need for human contact, building managers have started using remote diagnostic tools to identify building issues and to carry out maintenance tasks. This helps limit the number of people visiting the building and reduces the risk of transmission of the virus.

Changes in Building Management Strategies

Building managers are adopting new strategies to better manage buildings during the pandemic. For example, many are implementing more flexible work arrangements, such as staggered schedules and telecommuting. This helps to reduce the number of people in the building at any given time, which in turn reduces the risk of transmission.

Challenges Faced by Commercial Building Repairs and Maintenance due to COVID-19

Amidst the changes caused by the pandemic, there are significant challenges to maintaining commercial buildings. These challenges include the following:

Financial and Economic Impact of COVID-19

Many businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and are struggling to stay afloat. As a result, they may have reduced budgets for building maintenance and repairs, which could result in deferred maintenance or outright neglect of buildings.

Shortage of Labor and Supplies

The pandemic has caused several supply chain disruptions, making it challenging to obtain the necessary equipment, tools, and supplies for building maintenance and repairs. Additionally, with restrictions on travel and residency, there are limits to the number of laborers that can work on construction sites or in buildings.

Difficulty in Scheduling Projects

With many people working from home, it is challenging to schedule construction or repairs without impacting the occupants of the building. Additionally, with restrictions on the number of people allowed in a building at a time, scheduling has become even more challenging.

Implementation of New Protocols

Building managers must keep up with ever-changing health and safety protocols, which can be confusing and time-consuming to implement. These protocols can include everything from sanitizing procedures to ventilation standards.

Solutions to Overcome the Challenges Faced

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, there are several solutions to overcome them. Some of these solutions include:

Emphasis on Preventative Maintenance

Since the pandemic has made it difficult to schedule repairs and maintenance, building managers need to implement preventative maintenance strategies to keep building systems functioning optimally.

Regular Communication with Tenants and Property Managers

Building managers should remain in constant communication with tenants and property managers to ensure that they feel safe and informed about the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

Adapting to New Technologies

Building managers should continue to embrace and leverage new technologies that enable remote monitoring, diagnosis, and repair.

Alternative Approaches to Hiring and Training Labor

Building managers can consider alternative labor solutions such as hiring temporary staff or using contract workers to fill the gaps caused by labor shortages.

To read more about this topic, check out previous blog post at How to Prioritize Commercial Building Repairs with Limited Resources

For more general information on building then please visit: https://www.building.vic.gov.au/

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted commercial building repairs and maintenance. Building managers must stay up to date with new protocols and seek innovative solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. While the situation is still evolving, it is clear that the pandemic has accelerated a shift towards technology as a means of optimizing building management and maintenance.