Six Essential Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Schools

When it comes to school facilities, reactive maintenance just doesn’t cut it. Delayed repairs or overlooked inspections can quickly lead to costly damage, safety risks, or even temporary closures.

That’s why preventive maintenance is so important for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. It helps protect your facilities, extend the life of critical assets, and ensure a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors.

Not sure where to start? Here are six essential tasks every school facility team should have on their preventive maintenance checklist.

1. Life Safety System Inspections

Fire alarms, extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and emergency lighting must be tested regularly to remain code-compliant and fully operational. Preventive maintenance ensures your life safety systems are ready for inspections and real emergencies alike, helping schools meet NFPA and local requirements.

2. Emergency and Lockdown Readiness

Clear exit routes, functioning door hardware, and secure lockdown protocols are essential for school safety. Regularly inspect exit signage, door locking mechanisms, and window latches to ensure your facility is ready for quick evacuation or secure containment during drills or emergencies.

3. HVAC and Air Quality Management

Proper ventilation and climate control are directly linked to student health and attendance. Preventive HVAC maintenance—like filter changes, airflow testing, and seasonal inspections—helps maintain indoor air quality, especially during peak flu seasons or extreme temperatures.

4. Lighting and Electrical Checks

Burnt-out bulbs and malfunctioning outlets are common maintenance issues in school buildings. Conduct regular checks of interior and exterior lighting, test emergency exit signs, and inspect electrical panels for signs of wear or hazard. Keeping your systems in working order improves safety and lowers long-term repair costs.

5. Door, Window, and Lock Maintenance

Security is a growing concern in schools. That makes door hardware, locking mechanisms, and window seals especially important. Preventive maintenance tasks should include checking for broken locks, misaligned doors, and loose hinges—small issues that can compromise both safety and energy efficiency if ignored.

6. Compliance-Driven Documentation

Preventive maintenance isn’t just about physical tasks—it’s also about documentation. Schools should ensure that every inspection, repair, and test is logged, timestamped, and easily retrievable for audits or regulatory reviews. This level of recordkeeping is essential for passing state inspections and maintaining accreditation.

How FacilityONE Can Help

Keeping track of preventive maintenance across an entire school—or district—is a big task. Our solutions help education facilities streamline inspections, automate recurring work orders, and organize asset records in one easy-to-access system. You get full visibility into what’s been done, what’s due, and what needs attention next.