Category: maintenance

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Annual Fire Suppression Testing

Did you know it’s time for annual fire suppression testing? Concept

For properties that have fire sprinkler systems, we wish to remind you that February is fire suppression system testing month.  Cambridge has contracted with qualified third party testing companies to make sure your property receives the proper testing and certification of a fire suppression system.

You should expect to be contacted by one of the testing companies noted below during the second half of February each year.  Please make every effort to accommodate the testing company’s schedule by being prepared to serve notices to enter and complete testing and certification of your property’s fire suppression system.

If you are not contacted between February 18 and February 28th, please contact your supervisor or Scott Busch on March 1st for further directions.

Oregon, Portland Metro Area

United Fire & Safety

503-249-0771

Fire Systems West

360-693-9906

Idaho

Treasure Valley Fire Protection

208-362-1888

California

Bass Fire Protection

(530) 273-6857

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Ice Melt Products

ice melt productsFor those properties who encounter ice during the winter months, please be advised of the following policy:

Cambridge prohibits the use of chemical ice melt products due to the fact that these products have proven to cause significant damage to concrete walkways.  The damage caused to walkways can not only result in costly repairs to the concrete, but these chemicals are oftentimes only partially effective in dealing with stubborn ice and snow.

Instead of ice melt products, Cambridge encourages the use of sand and/or gravel along pathways during inclement weather.

For further directions and advice, please contact your property supervisor.

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Inclement Weather

CIMG1296During the onset of very cold weather conditions, we remind managers of the following:

  • Post without delay on all apartments a Freeze Warning Notice (print from eforms #C085).
  • Staff should monitor the inside temperature of all vacant apartments until outside temperatures are forecast to stay above 40 degrees.
  • Staff should monitor inside water service of all vacant apartments to make sure faucets are allowed to trickle; this will help avoid frozen water pipes.
  • Activate pool and spa heaters just enough to avoid frozen pools and spas.
  • Make sure your property has a supply of sand or gravel located in stashes throughout the property to help with traction.
  • If snow cleaning is required, remember to include pathways to garbage areas, laundry rooms and site management office.  Also clear access to fire hydrants, water shut-off valves and emergency access routes.
  • Survey your property to identify overhanging branches which could present a hazard if snowfall occurs. Coordinate a timely response with your landscape vendor.
  • Maintain availability/office hours in and around the property.  All on-site employees should be on high alert. Office hours need to be maintained in inclement weather by employees who live on site. Employees who live off-site should travel only if safe to do so.  Absences related to weather are considered paid leave.

 

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Preventative Maintenance Inspections

Managers are encouraged to review their recent Monthly Manager’s report paying special attention to the number of preventive maintenance inspections completed so far this year.

It is Cambridge’s policy that we conduct these inspections no less than twice annually.  By now every property should have completed their first round of PM inspections and should be well into their second set of inspections.

If this is not the case for your property, please contact your supervisor for tips and suggestions for the timely completion of these required inspections by year end.

For more information on Preventative Maintenance Inspections click here!

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Q&A – Off Season Pool Care

empty poolQ: How often do you have to clean the filters?

A: There’s no concrete answer to this question. Usually, during the off season, the filters don’t get a lot of debris, so you’ll only need to clean them periodically. By the time winter rolls around, you may be cleaning them as little as once a month to every few months. The easiest way to keep track is to check the pressure gauge on top of the filter. They normally operate at 10 to 20 psi, but you’ll have to find out what your ideal range is. The next time you thoroughly clean your filters, look at the reading on the gauge. When the pressure rises 5 to 10 psi from that initial point, it’s time to clean again. There are a dozen different variables that can cause you to need to clean the filters more often, such as the water getting cloudy, blowing dust, or debris from trees.

 

Q: How often to test the water?

A: Start by testing daily, then as you notice your test results don’t vary from day to day, you can then back it to testing once a week. Although you may find that the water chemistry stays consistent, you should never go more than a week or two in the off season without testing the water. Dust, rain, and unexpected sunshine can all affect the chemistry of the water, and water chemistry that isn’t in the ideal range can ruin the plaster, pumps, and heaters.

 

Q: Do you have your lights on still?

A: Absolutely. They’re considered a safety device, so if someone hops the fence at night, and falls in the pool, they may be seen. Lights in the pool are good, but you never want a light shining down on the pool from a post or an adjoining building, as they can reflect off the surface and impede the ability to see under the surface of the water.

 

Q: Does it need to be brushed, how often?

A: Weekly, as well as a good vacuuming every couple weeks, or when it starts to look dirty. Even though the pool may look clean, it will have small particulate that needs brushing and vacuuming to keep the plaster from staining.

 

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Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are now widely adopted as an essential safety feature in each apartment which has any of the following features:

  • Any appliance or fixture which relies upon natural gas as its fuel source
  • An attached garage
  • A wood burning fireplace

In addition, any dwelling located in the same structure as a common area (i.e. laundry room, site management office, community room, resident lounge) which has any of the features noted above must also be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector.

If you have not yet implemented a plan to retrofit your property with carbon monoxide detectors, please contact your portfolio supervisor at once so a plan can be implemented without further delay.

Thank you!