Commercial Property Inspection Checklist

7/21/2018 (Permalink)

Check the gauge on your fire extinguishers at least once a month. The needle should point in the green area. If not, it may need servicing.

Business owners wear many hats. In addition to being knowledgeable about your actual products and services, owners also often handle accounting, HR, marketing and other duties vital to growing a business. Further, if your business requires a physical location, be it a restaurant, office or retail store, you may also find yourself with some responsibility for the upkeep of the commercial property in which you reside. While building owners and property managers can and should handle maintenance and repairs, if you are considering moving into a new location or simply taking care of the one you already occupy, here is a short checklist of things to inspect to ensure minor issues don't become major disasters.

Visual Signs of Damage

Those water spots on the ceiling. That damp spot below the sink. The crack in the window out back. All minor eyesores and inconveniences that take a backseat to more pressing concerns. All, however, can also lead to bigger problems if left unaddressed. Determining the source of a potential leak now can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in water damage or mold remediation in the future.

Fire Safety Equipment

According to So-Cal State Fire Protection, businesses are required to have fire extinguishers on site and serviced annually. You should also check the pressure gauge monthly and slap a label on a new fire extinguisher so you don't have to guess when you might need to replace it. In addition, you should also test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and promptly replace discharged batteries. And if your commercial property has a sprinkler system, it should be tested annually. Maintaining a business' fire protection systems is vital to both ensuring the safety of the people occupying the building and mitigating property damage in the event of a fire.

Review Ventilation Systems

Unless something goes wrong, vital systems such as your air ducts or HVAC are often out of sight and mind. SERVPRO of North Hollywood professionals can inspect and clean your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to extend the life of your equipment, save you money in the long run and, of course, improve the quality of the air you and your customers breathe.

At the end of the day, business owners can do a lot to take care of your property if you are diligent in your regular inspection and maintenance routines. But if the worst should strike, remember that SERVPRO of North Hollywood is always just a phone call away.