Editors' Tips Archives - Wall and Corner Guard Blog

5 Trends for Facility Managers to Know in 2016

Each year, innovation brings new trends and technologies to the field of facilities management. This year is no different. From software to cloud-based solutions and more, the year 2016 promises facility managers all the tools and strategies needed to increase efficiencies, productivity, and reduce costs. In this article, we look at 6 of the most highly anticipated facilities management trends taking hold this year. For a full list of the top 10 predictions, visit the original article on SWG.com.

Rise of the machines (M2M)

When it comes to increasing efficiencies, few things offer more value than machine to machine (M2M) technology. In 2016, expect to see even more examples of M2M tech to improve operations and workflow. Examples include temperature sensors for HVAC systems, remote security systems, and more.

Inter-department efficiency tech (FM software)

Machine to machine technology is not the only application breeding efficiency, however. This year, facility managers are expected to increasingly embrace FM software to make cross-department data integration and analysis more fluid. Collaboration, improved data quality, and better productivity are all positives to be expected.

Mobile & Apps will improve accessibility

WiFi, smartphones, tablets, and other mobile computing devices are more widespread than ever before. So too are mobile applications (Apps), meaning facility managers can now access important software and data while on-the-go.

Smarter customer service

This trend is sure to satisfy both managers and customers. In 2016, facility managers are expected to embrace decentralized “help desks” that more effectively provide customer service. Systems will help customers with “everyday” issues through a precise level of automated responses, freeing customer service agents to operate in smaller groups designed to help a smaller number of customers with more complex issues.

BIM/ FM software integration

Business Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most talked about and highly anticipated trends of the year. When integrated during the planning phase of a project, BIM can reduce costs and improve efficiencies across the entire life cycle of the project.

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Looking for crash rails for an upcoming project or facility retrofit? Call Wall And Corner Guard for a complimentary product consultation. Our service professionals represent the business’s most experienced team, available to you at 1-800-342-0424.

Winter Safety Essentials on Wallandcornerguard.com

Winter is almost here, which means it is time for facility managers to proactively consider ways to reduce accidents related to sleet, snow, and ice accumulation. In preparation for winter safety, the editors of the Wall and Corner Guard Blog have compiled the following list of products designed to keep facilities a safer place through the holiday season.

Facility Evaluation. Before reviewing the products below, it’s important for facility managers to consider the importance of a facility walk-through this November. This practice can be used by any property owner, no matter what the industry or location of the business. Facility walk-throughs provide a bird’s eye view of all aspects of operation, specifically identifying areas and practices that may cause accidental injury to employees and/or guests. For more information on facility walk-throughs and methods of slip and fall prevention, readers may visit this article.

Products for Winter

Parking Stops. Control traffic and parking lot usage with our Parking-Stop®, made from a unique recycled polymer that is 1/10^th the weight of traditional concrete stops.

Bollard Covers. Parking bollards are often used to manage the flow of traffic around the exterior of a facility, as well as through parking lots and garages. Invest in a fluorescent Bollard Cover® to ensure these concrete posts remain visible, even as snow begins to pile up.

Rubber Bumpers. These products are ideal for use in areas where cars, trucks, and light machinery might accidentally come into contact with facility walls. Bumpers are particularly valuable during the winter, when rain, sleet, snow, and ice make it easy to lose control. Consider our Style D Rubber Impact Bumper your best solution.

Dock Bumpers. Loading docks are often the site of unintentional slides, impact, and damage during winter months. Protect both facilities and vehicles with Laminated Dock Bumpers, available in custom sizes to meet your facility’s exact specifications.

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The product specialists at WallAndCornerGuard.com represent the industry’s most experienced team of professionals. We are pleased to offer product consultation, order assistance, and more upon request.

Contact customer services by calling 1-800-342-0424 or visit our Contact Us page online.

7 Essential Protective Products for Hospitals

There are more than 5,500 hospitals in the United States that play home to roughly 51.4 million procedures annually, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control. These heavily trafficked facilities are among the most important in the nation, helping men, women, and families to recover and return to their lives.

Of course, fewer public facilities adhere to more strict health and safety codes than hospitals. This guide has been created to assist those tasked with improving health and safety for hospitals. The products below are 7 of the most essential guards, railings, and protective products designed specifically for use in hospitals and other medical treatment centers.

Corner Guards, Wall Guards, & Other Hospital Essentials

Corner Guards

Every hospital has long corridors where 90 degree turns create corners that are exposed to potential damage. Gurneys, wheelchairs, and supply dollies are just a few of the most common things that may damage hospital corners. Risk of damage only escalates when doctors and staff are treating a patient with severe injuries or illness. To learn more about corner guards for hospitals, visit our commercial corner guards online store.

Handrails

Like corner guards, handrails are often used by hospitals to help prevent damage from ruining interior walls. Handrails serve another vital function, helping hospital patients and guests to walk along hallways. Handrails are particularly important for medical facilities that may specialize in treating individuals with disabilities as well as elderly patients. Shop the best handrails for hospitals by visiting our commercial handrail online store.

Column Guards

Column guards are a unique product, similar to corner guards. These special protective products are designed for use along parking garage columns where they absorb and displace extreme impact from vehicles. Whether from a visitor’s car or hospital ambulance, column guards are the #1 way to prevent serious damage and costly repairs. Visit the following link to learn more about our Celestial® Column Guard (installs vertically to protect parking garage columns).

Shoeshone® Bed Locator

Shoeshone® Bed Locators perform a number of vital functions for hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and other centers where patient care extends overnight. Each bed locator consists of two brackets, two molded vinyl end guides, and one standard Aztec® Wall Bumper. Together, this system prevents beds from damaging walls while also maintaining well-defined bed lines and aisles. Learn more about our Shoeshone® Bed Locator.

Wichita® Crash Rail

Wichita® crash rails are an excellent choice for hospitals and medical care facilities. These heavy-duty wall guards are manufactured with stainless steel, making them a valuable addition to any facility where sterile environments must be maintained. Learn more about our Wichita® crash rail.

Bollard Covers

Parking bollards are cylindrical concrete markers that serve a variety of important functions in parking lots and garages. No matter what the function being performed, one thing is certain: Parking bollards must be visible. Shop our collection of Bollard Covers® to envelope your bollards with a vibrant colored casing that significantly improves visibility while also softening impact.

Kickplates for Doors

Hospital doorways are often entered and exited quickly. In many cases, the bottom of a gurney or wheeled cart is the first thing to touch the door. Protect hospital doors with kicklates, and proactively prevent damage from accruing over time. Doors are expensive to replace, making kickplates a cost-effective solution. Visit the following link to shop our collection of door guards and kickplates online.

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Contact customer services by calling 1-800-342-0424 or visit our Contact Us page online.

7 Corners That Need Protection

Corners are at high risk for damage from impact. Whether the result of employees or freight, corner damage slowly degrades a facility’s appearance over time, eventually creating an air of general disrepair. Unchecked damage can also compromise structural integrity, an issue that can be critical when it occurs at columns intended to bear a great deal of support and pressure. Prepare for impact by evaluating the following 7 most common areas for corner guards, and proactively invest in a safer facility.

Common Places for Corner Impact

Elevator Lobbies

Elevator lobbies are among the most heavily trafficked areas of most commercial facilities, second only to entryways lobbies and reception areas. Elevator lobbies pose a unique threat to walls and corners since they are often the area in which heavy freight is loaded and unloaded from elevators. For areas where interior décor is vibrant and ornate, use invisible corner guards to provide protection without disrupting design.

90-Degree Hallway Bends

Long hallways and corridors can always benefit from wall and corner protection, especially when they are used by personnel pushing carts or wheeling dollies. And while safety bumpers are great for the length of the hallway, it’s important to remember to protect wall corners at each 90-degree turn. These areas are prone to damage by personnel and carts that round the bend without leaving enough space to complete the turn.

Locker Room Entryways

Sure, fitness facility patrons are not likely to intentionally kick, scrape, or otherwise damage the entryways that lead into locker room areas. However, these entries face a very real threat of damage from the vacuums, pressure washers, and other industrial-grade equipment that are used to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in locker rooms.

Food Prep Areas

Like the areas mentioned above, food prep stations and other kitchen areas have walls and corners that routinely face damage from wheeled carts. Silverware carts, mobile food prep stations, dollies, kegs, and pallets of food/cooking ingredients are wheeled through these areas on a daily basis. Employees are sometimes hurried, especially during lunch and dinner time rush, which increases the likelihood of accidentally making impact with the wall or corner.

Art and Production Studios

Artists, photographers, designers, and commercial printers of all backgrounds have at least one thing in common: They all work in a studios that require a certain level of supplies for production, some of which are most feasibly transported by furniture and/or upright dollies. Corner guards are essential in studio entryways, along hallways, outside storage closets, and in other areas where supply transport and production threaten accidental damage to wall spaces.

Parking Garage Columns

Most facility owners and managers neglect to consider the danger of uncovered parking columns. On the surface, it may seem unnecessary to cover concrete with anything since it is so naturally strong. However, the average vehicle weighs over 2 tons, which can significantly damage a parking column on impact. Prevent this issue and the danger that results from compromised structural integrity by using products like our Quasar® Corner Guard, specifically designed for use in parking garages and other industrial spaces.

Loading Areas

Finally, install corner guards at every corner throughout heavily trafficked loading areas. These guards will keep walls looking new despite frequent bumps, scrapes, and impact from freight coming from/heading to the loading area.

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Looking for corner guards for an upcoming project or facility retrofit? Call Wall And Corner Guard for a complimentary product consultation. Our service professionals represent the business’s most experienced team, available to you at 1-800-342-0424.

Bacteria Control in Commercial Kitchens

Whether operating a commercial kitchen or other type of food processing facility, controlling bacteria is a top priority that must be address. If overlooked, bacteria can spread and cause serious illness. Customers, employees, families, and your company’s reputation are just a few of the things at risk. Using the following resources, review a few of the most commonly held best practices for bacteria control in the kitchen.

Remember: Education and awareness is key. Consider circulating this article via email or social media to ensure employees and other company stakeholders are aware of the challenges faced by commercial kitchens and food processing facilities when it comes to bacteria prevention and control.

Tips for Preventing Bacteria in the Kitchen

Below are a few of our editor’s top recommendations for preventing bacteria in the kitchen. All guests are invited to read, share, and comment using the Comments section at the bottom of this page.

Climate Control. One of the most critical elements of bacteria control involves monitoring and restricting the climate of certain areas like refrigerators, freezers, and other processing zones. Use transparent strip doors to better control air flow, temperature, and other environmental variables that might ultimately contribute to the growth and spread of bacteria.

Access Control. Changes in climate are not the only thing to monitor, however. Personnel are another critical variable that can significantly affect the cleanliness of the kitchen and/or food processing area. Control access to these areas by enlisting a small but capable personnel unit to perform specific duties within specific areas. Make sure all personnel take proper precautions, like wearing clean uniforms, sterile suits, gloves, and other protective gear when necessary.

Know Your Temperatures. Swinging temperatures are sure to spike bacteria production, even when climate and personnel are perfectly controlled. As noted by industry professionals, there are certain temperature zones in which bacteria will most quickly reproduce and spread. To learn more, visit this article by Foodservicewarehouse.com.

Prevent Cross-contamination. Once climate, access, and temperature are all controlled, the next step is to prevent accidental cross-contamination of food during preparation, processing, and/or processing. There are many ways cross-contamination can happen, each of which capable of making employees and customers very sick. Learn more revent cross-contamination

Prepare for Inspection. Finally, consider always preparing for the eventuality that a food inspector may show up to evaluate your operation. Review these tips by Food Services of America®, which extend well beyond simply keeping the kitchen areas neat and free of bacteria.

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