Most people do not give much thought to their pipes – until they stop working by Ronnie Giles of PRS
Ronnie Giles 561-602-8660
Sr. Account Manager Florida East Coast
CAI Business Partner Certified
#CGC 1517755 / #CFC 1429221
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Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry.
Ronnie Giles 561-602-8660
Sr. Account Manager Florida East Coast
CAI Business Partner Certified
#CGC 1517755 / #CFC 1429221
by Steven C Fraser, Esq. Fraser Lawyers
An area that gets a lot of foot traffic in any building, and one which everyone eventually will see and use, the restroom is a critical component of all commercial and industrial buildings. Typically thought of as only a functional space, the restroom has been transformed both by increased regulatory requirements for businesses (e.g., OSHA, ADA compliance, etc.) and by a shift to create more comfortable, inviting spaces for occupants.
These shifts put unique pressures on managers of aging buildings that may have fallen behind the curve on restroom design, aesthetics and function.
An area that gets a lot of foot traffic in any building, and one which everyone eventually will see and use, the restroom is a critical component of all commercial and industrial buildings. Typically thought of as only a functional space, the restroom has been transformed both by increased regulatory requirements for businesses (e.g., OSHA, ADA compliance, etc.) and by a shift to create more comfortable, inviting spaces for occupants.
These shifts put unique pressures on managers of aging buildings that may have fallen behind the curve on restroom design, aesthetics and function.
Norman Chapman facilities supervisor at Petigru Commercial Properties in Columbia, South Carolina., manages about 22 different properties, most of which were built anywhere from 25-30 years ago. He says that most of the buildings’ restrooms are located within tenants’ suites, which means the tenants are responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of those rooms. “We also have some common bathrooms,” says Chapman, “all of which are updated and modern.”
For example, most of Petigru’s properties feature restrooms that have wood frame cabinetry, decorative table legs, granite countertops, aged-bronze fixtures, high-end lighting and bold color schemes. Situated in a region that has a rich history.
Knowing that workers are more satisfied when it’s clear their employers care about them, Chapman says Petigru puts extra effort into keeping its restrooms fresh and updated, regardless of the building’s age. “Bathrooms are as important as the common hallways in a multi-tenant building, so we really try to keep up with the times and have them look nice,” says Chapman, “all in the name of attracting tenants that want a comfortable, functional space for their employees.”
OSHA’s Restroom Requirements for Businesses
When adding new facilities or renovating existing restrooms in an older building, there are some important regulatory requirements to keep in mind. In regulating the availability of and workers’ access to restroom facilities, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific rules that must be followed. OSHA’s documentation is extremely detailed and complex, but at a basic level the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) highlights these requirements:
ADA Compliance Counts
An important consideration for all businesses and public spaces today, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has strict rules in place concerning the construction and renovation of restroom facilities. If you’re running an older building where the restroom facilities haven’t been recently updated, then you may need to revisit your restrooms to make sure they are up to code.
The complete ADA guidelines are available here. According to Buildings, the basic ADA guidelines that facilities managers should keep in mind for single-user restrooms are:
According to Chapman, it’s important to factor both OHSA and ADA requirements into a restroom renovation in an older building, with the latter posing some of the bigger challenges for a upgrading an existing space. “You need at least one ADA stall (depending on how many tenants are on a floor of the building) in every bathroom, and that can take up some extra room,” he explains. This sometimes requires re-thinking how space is used, and whether or not the restroom redesign will require borrowing space from other private areas of the building. In a case like that, the restroom renovation project will require planning and timing around lease agreements as well.
Improving Comfort Levels
All older buildings will eventually have to go through some type of restroom renovation project. Whether the purpose is modernization, comfort, functionality, compliance or a combination of all four, this is a facility area that requires ongoing attention and commitment.
Not only do restroom renovations help keep occupants comfortable, but they can also enhance property value, improve employee morale, and help establish your company as one that cares about its employees, customers, and business partners.
The information provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.
(877) 862-7188
221 W Hallandale Beach Blvd
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(877) 862-7188
sfraser@fraserlawfl.com
Tags: Law and Legal, Plumbing Articles
Generally speaking, you’re usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are outside of property boundaries, and sewers.
From Pipe Repairs to Cleaning of your storm Drains. You can find members of sfpma.com ready to help!
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Tags: Building Maintenance, Condo and HOA Common Area Issues, Members Articles, Plumbing Articles
Our business philosophy is simple: We want to First, listen to your need. Second, identify the best solution and Third, deliver the highest quality end-result, all while giving you a great customer experience. PRS is a State of Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor that specializes in full pipe restoration. Whether it be sanitary sewer or storm, potable water, fire suppression or HVAC chiller lines, our goal is to provide solutions to the failing piping infrastructure utilizing the latest plumbing and trenchless technology available. We also carry a State of Florida Class “A” General Contractor’s license which sets us apart.
Members of SFPMA Take a look at our Membership Listing
Storm drains in Miami after several days of rain and it’s become apparent why they weren’t working properly. Check out all that debris, dirt and rocks
Brothers Backflow are members of sfpma – https://sfpma.com/listing/brothers-backflow-specialists/
Broward: Ph. 954.382.2099 | Dade: Ph. 305.267.3992
Brothers Backflow Specialists is state licensed and insured in the plumbing and gas industry. Our technicians specialize in plumbing, backflows, propane, natural gas, medical gas and water restoration including everything from installing gas lines, testing backflows and repairing broken plumbing pipes. We provide services for commercial, residential, industrial & farm properties from Monroe to West Palm Beach County as well as backflow services in Orlando, Florida. Brothers Backflow Specialists is here to serve you 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and no job is too big or too small.
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Below are some potential sources of leaks that homeowners need to be aware of to ensure they are not being unnecessarily charged for excessive water usage within their homes.
• Toilet Leak(s). Regardless of how nominal, a leaking toilet can significantly increase your water bill on a monthly basis. In fact, a continuously filling toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water in a day! Check for toilet leaks by listening for running water after a toilet is done flushing and filling. To visibly check for small leaks, place food coloring into the water tank and if the coloring appears in your toilet water, you have a leak that requires attention.
Tags: Building Maintenance, Plumbing ArticlesWhen talking about people we often say it’s what is on the inside that counts, well the same can be said for condominiums. What you can’t see is often more important than what you can.
Many associations came about when developers converted apartment buildings into condos. Others in south Florida are just getting old and while it might not always be obvious on the outside a look inside the walls, under the slab or in the elevator equipment room will give you a better picture of the problems that lurk beneath the surface. All of these things have useful life’s and tend to wear out over time.
Tags: Building Maintenance, Management News