Regular Inspections for Building Maintenance

Regular Inspections for Building Maintenance

You wouldn’t drive your car without regular maintenance inspections like checking and changing the oil, air filter, and belts. So, to maintain efficiency, building systems may have to run constantly. And, the only way to keep them running at their best is to do regular inspections and maintenance service checkups. The Importance of Regular Inspections Performing regular maintenance inspections can identify minor problems before they turn into significant and costly issues. Also, inspections can minimize equipment downtime and ensure systems and machines are working properly. Hospitals, nursing homes, and apartment complexes are just a few of the buildings that we

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Impact of COVID-19 – Our “Next Normal”

Impact of COVID-19 - Our “Next Normal”

The Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial Real Estate There’s no denying a change in the landscape of how we do business after the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic’s effects on commercial space and commercial real estate overall leave many wondering what’s next and how to proceed from here. During shutdowns and lockdowns, we experienced a constriction in demand for building engineers. Now, with the subsequent reopening of businesses everywhere, building engineers are in critically short supply. Commercial Office Space and the Impact of COVID-19 When the lockdown began, so did the mass exodus from office space to remote working from

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Energy Star Certification for Your Building

Energy Star Certification for Your Building

Energy Star Certification has been around for a while… I know you’ve seen the labels on your washing machine and refrigerator. But do you realize that your building can receive an Energy Star certification as well? When a building becomes Energy Star certified, it has an Energy Star score of 75 or better. The EPA Energy Star scale goes from 1-100, with 100 being the best. A score of 75 means that your building is protecting the environment and saving energy better than 75 percent of similar buildings in the U.S. This certification is awarded yearly, so your building must

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Building Engineer Job Titles and Salary Ranges

Building Engineer Job Titles and Salary Ranges

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth for engineers is expected to continue trending upwards through 2026. Interesting to note, from the 2016-2026 decade, close to 140,000 new jobs are expected for engineers. And, these jobs are available in a variety of building engineer job titles. In Washington, D.C., as in most metropolitan areas, the need for skilled labor is at an all-time high! For that reason, it’s an excellent time for you to consider a career in building maintenance engineering. Also, the ability to grow in this occupation is an added bonus. Remember, your career can

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Building Engineer Training

Building Engineer Training

When you work as a building maintenance engineer, you’re in a unique position. By that we mean, you’ll have the opportunity to use your brains and your physical strengths. You’ll find that becoming a successful, sought-after building maintenance engineer requires training and experience. In fact, you must be knowledgeable in the field to compete for the best jobs and to be competent and qualified for assignments as they come up. A strong background in math and science can help. But, the specialized building engineer training you receive from the industry itself will help you build your reputation.  Before you know

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Switching from Heat to Air Conditioning

Switching from Heat to Air Conditioning

Winter’s officially behind us in the Washington, D.C. metro area. So, it’s time to think about switching from heat to air conditioning in your commercial buildings. Of course, temperatures will continue to rise during the day and stay warm at night. And when that happens, tenants will expect a comfortable temperature in each unit. In commercial settings, it’s not as simple as hitting a button on your thermostat to switch from heat to air conditioning. Depending on your HVAC system, it likely requires maintenance before making the switch. What Maintenance Do Commercial HVAC Systems Require? For efficiency and lifespan, it’s

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Common Rooftop Chiller Problems

Common Rooftop Chiller Problems

The rooftop chiller on your commercial building serves HVAC systems by ensuring they deliver the proper humidity level, temperature, and ventilation while minimizing operating costs. To keep your tenants comfortable and happy, your rooftop chiller must work properly at all times. Preventative maintenance is key to keeping them up and running. Still, you’ll need to repair even the most well-maintained rooftop chiller at some point. If you experience any of the following, it may be time to service your rooftop chiller: Uneven cooling or heating Inconsistent airflow throughout the building System efficiency loss Unexpected high cooling or heating bills Unfamiliar

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Becoming a Building Engineer

Becoming a Building Engineer

So, you want to become a building engineer? Keep in mind, there are several disciplines building engineers can go into. Moreover, it will require specific skills and certifications to move from an apprentice or intern to an engineer. Education to Prepare for a Job in Building Maintenance While requirements vary by state and employer, all building engineers must have a high school diploma or GED. So, if you’re still in high school and planning to work in building maintenance, make sure you take advanced math and science classes. This will help to prepare yourself for future degrees and certification exams:

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Building Engineer -Do You Need Temporary Work?

Building Engineer -Do You Need Temporary  Work?

Are you a building engineer in between contracts or unemployed? Do you need a temporary or permanent work solution in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia? At Building Maintenance Systems, Inc. (BMSI) in Washington, D.C., we offer job security and variety. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned building engineer, or interested in pursuing a career as a building engineer. Why struggle with the unknowns of contract work or stay in a dead-end job when you can thrive instead? Why Choose BMSI? At BMSI, we offer temporary and long-term engineering and maintenance staff to building owners, real estate

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Building Engineers – Get Help When You Need It!

Building Engineers – Get Help When You Need It!

With warm weather coming to Washington, DC, building engineers will plan vacations. They might want time off to spend with family and friends. If they haven’t already, the time off requests will likely start rolling in any day now. When you work in commercial real estate with a building engineering and maintenance staff, scheduling can be difficult. You might not be able  to honor all time-off requests. If you know you’ll be short-staffed, you may tell someone that you can’t give them their requested days. This can put you in a tight spot. You can’t run your building without an

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When Do You Need a DC 3rd Class Engineer?

When Do You Need a DC 3rd Class Engineer?

Are all building engineers in the Nation’s Capital operating under the same certification and requirements? No, not at all. In fact, some jobs and situations require an advanced certification under District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. Let’s talk about the DC 3rd Class Engineer Certification. Why Is a DC 3rd Class License Necessary in Some Jobs? It’s a matter of safety. Consider that Boilers and Chillers are pressurized vessels. Without proper handling, the risk of explosion is significant. Therefore, monitoring and maintaining these pieces of equipment cannot be left to an apprentice. Understandably, an experienced DC Class 3 Engineer with the

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Mobile Engineering Force

Mobile Engineering Force

You Don’t Have to Hire a Full-Time Building Engineer Many industries are looking for ways to cut expenses without cutting corners. The property management industry is no different. If you’re struggling to keep your mobile engineering force on payroll or affording to hire much-needed help, there’s another way forward. At BMSI in Washington D.C., we can provide your mobile engineering force, so you don’t have to worry about hiring a full-time engineer. Why throw a permanent solution at a temporary problem when you don’t have to? A Customized Solution for Your Staffing Needs If vacancy problems have you scrambling to

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The Commercial Real Estate Shakeup of 2020

The Commercial Real Estate Shakeup of 2020

While some industries have fared well during the pandemic, the commercial real estate industry has struggled. Between rent freezes, shutdowns, and capacity restrictions, landlords and property owners have had to make some hard decisions. For many real estate investors and property management companies, that means having to make sacrifices.  Cutting work crews and putting off projects are common survival tactics. However, buildings still need to be maintained whether rent checks are coming in or not. What’s a property owner or management company to do if they’re no longer able to support their full staff due to pandemic realities? If you’re

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Your Career as a Building Engineer

Your Career as a Building Engineer

If you’ve chosen a career as a building engineer, you know what you like best about it. Getting exposure to a lot of different trades can be a real resume builder. Let’s look at some of the challenges the building engineer faces on his career path. We think you’ll like the solutions BMSI can offer you! Chances for Advancement as a Building Engineer If you’re working as part of a small crew, the ladder to the top may be non-existent. If you only have one or two people over you on the job, you may have to wait a long

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Can Your Building Engineer Do It All?

Can Your Building Engineer Do It All?

Whether you’re a commercial building owner or a property management firm, you’re going to need a dependable, experienced building engineer. This key team member is responsible for the seamless operation of your building or facility. Have you had trouble finding the right person to fill these work boots? Let’s review hiring options that might help you run your buildings with ease. Have Your Building Engineer Vetted for You When you hire an engineer through standard practices, it’s hard to know what you might find in a person. When our staffing company, BMSI, sends an engineer to you, we have thoroughly

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Pro Tips – Commercial Real Estate Investors

Pro Tips - Commercial Real Estate Investors

When you invest in your first commercial property, you may find your task list overwhelming. As Commerical Real Estate Investors, you’ll enjoy the income potential, steady cash flow, and low vacancy rates, but where can you turn for help? When you need help managing and maintaining your property, turn to the experts for the help you need. Here’s what you’ll need to consider. Building Management for Commercial Real Estate Investors As an investor in commercial real estate property, there will be plenty to do. You’ll need to focus on big-picture priorities. Partner with a specialist company who can take care

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