Re-Entry and Re-Occupancy of Commercial Buildings in King County

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Edmonds enjoys supporting several professional associations related to the property management and building management sectors. Not only are the associations beneficial in keeping up with educational updates they are fabulous sources for networking among our industries.

One of our favorite associations is BOMA (Building Operations Management Association)

Recently a popular topic of conversation at BOMA has been regarding the re-entry of tenants to commercial buildings. While BOMA does not endorse any specific policy, they discuss a list of helpful considerations for property managers as they develop their own re-entry protocols. Each property is unique and while there will be some commonalities across different properties BOMA recommends each property team should seek their own legal counsel.

Property managers have a difficult position as they should not be required to perform compliance authority with tenants and visitors. While building managers will work to enact measures that encourage social distancing protocols, compliance rests with the personal responsibility each person has to safeguard their own health. Tenants and tenant businesses should remain responsible for all compliance.

Some Re-Entry Protocol Ideas Include:

- Some buildings might reduce entry points, but not if this causes people to gather or jam up at choke points where they cannot maintain distancing.

- Greater security staffing at entry points as needed.

- Installing shielding paneling at concierge and greeting desks

- For some properties, a requirement for tenants to meet and escort visitors or report their expected arrival to security

- Consider an elevator lobby patrol person during peak foot traffic times whose presence will encourage social distancing practices

• Adding touchless options for opening doors

- Require vendor firms to maintain adequate supply of personal protection equipment for their staff. Amend vendor contracts as necessary.

- Create a cost profile and confirmation within vendor to clean, disinfect and/or sanitize space where future cases of an infected worker having been present are identified. Call SERVPRO of Edmonds for COVID decontamination questions or service!

- Building management maintains adequate supply of PPE for their staff.

- Building personnel trained on proper use of personal protection equipment and protocols

- Social distancing signage in all gathering spaces

- Hand sanitizers in more places with discarding containers

- Air circulating and filtration system adjustments - such as operating at maximum to ensure clean air

If you have questions about sanitizing and disinfecting your commercial property call the professionals at SERVPRO of Edmonds: 425-775-5723.