Campus Maintenance: Best Practices for Facility Managers

A well-maintained campus is more than just a visual asset—it enhances student experiences, ensures safety, and supports the longevity of campus facilities. Whether managing recreational areas, dormitories, lecture halls, or administrative buildings, facility managers must implement efficient maintenance strategies to keep campus grounds in top condition.

By leveraging campus grounds maintenance best practices, facility managers can create a welcoming environment that fosters productivity and well-being for students, faculty, and visitors. From optimizing space usage to improving maintenance workflows, here are key strategies for maintaining and improving campus facilities.

Preventative Maintenance for Campus Longevity

Campuses are high-traffic environments, meaning buildings and outdoor areas experience constant wear and tear. A proactive maintenance approach ensures that facilities remain functional, safe, and visually appealing. This includes:

• Scheduled inspections of walkways, green spaces, and structural elements to identify potential hazards.
• Routine maintenance for HVAC systems, lighting, and plumbing in dorms and lecture halls to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
• Seasonal upkeep of outdoor spaces, such as landscaping, irrigation, and snow removal, to maintain a polished appearance year-round.

By staying ahead of maintenance needs, facility managers can reduce repair costs and extend the lifespan of campus infrastructure.

Enhancing Safety and Accessibility

A well-maintained campus is also a safe and accessible one. Facility managers should prioritize improvements that ensure students, faculty, and visitors can navigate the campus without obstacles or risks.

Key considerations include:

• Regular checks on pathways, sidewalks, and stairways to prevent tripping hazards.
• ADA compliance assessments to ensure wheelchair ramps, elevators, and signage are up to standard.
• Emergency preparedness planning, including clear exit routes and functional lighting in case of power outages.

Ensuring accessibility and safety not only supports student well-being but also demonstrates a commitment to an inclusive learning environment.

Streamlining Work Order Management

Managing multiple buildings and outdoor spaces requires efficient communication between maintenance teams. A digital work order management system allows facility managers to:

• Quickly assign tasks to maintenance staff.
• Track progress in real-time, ensuring that issues are resolved promptly.
• Receive reports on frequently requested repairs, helping to identify recurring maintenance concerns.

A centralized platform for work orders eliminates delays, reduces response times, and ensures that campus grounds maintenance remains a smooth, coordinated effort.

Maximizing Space Utilization

Campuses often have a mix of high-use and underutilized spaces, making it important to track how areas are used and adjust maintenance efforts accordingly. Facility managers can optimize space usage by:

• Monitoring classroom and lecture hall occupancy rates to ensure proper cleaning schedules.
• Assessing foot traffic patterns to prioritize maintenance in high-traffic zones.
• Repurposing underused spaces for study lounges, recreational areas, or additional student services.

Optimizing campus space improves efficiency and enhances the overall student experience.

How FacilityONE Can Help

Managing a large campus requires the right tools to streamline maintenance, improve safety, and enhance space management. FacilityONE offers solutions that support campus facility teams in optimizing daily operations:

• F1 MAPS – A visual mapping solution that allows facility managers to track assets, work orders, and maintenance needs across campus grounds.
  
  
• F1 WORKS – A centralized work order management system that ensures fast response times and efficient maintenance workflows.
  
  
• F1 INSIGHTS – Advanced analytics that help facility managers make data-driven decisions for optimizing space utilization and preventive maintenance.

With FacilityONE, campuses can maintain a safe, well-organized environment that supports students and staff while improving operational efficiency. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can enhance your campus facility management strategy.