Where We Go from Here

It seems that everyone I interview for either a story in the IAVM newsletter or Facility Manager magazine on COVID-19, or anyone that writes an article for any of our publications on the topic, always comes with the caveat of, “You better hurry and run this, because it will probably change tomorrow.”

We here at IAVM realize that during this ongoing pandemic no two days are truly the same. In our publications corner of the office, we are very cognizant from the above example that an article appearing today could well be obsolete tomorrow. This is how fast everything about coronavirus is changing and changing our world.

We want to share with you our own publication change, one that we truly hope will be as temporary as possible. The May/June issue of Facility Manager will appear in a digital format copy only. We place every issue of the magazine online, so for those of you who are accustomed to reading it that way, nothing changes. For those accustomed to reading the print copy, please be sure to enjoy the magazine in its entirety online.

We will print the July/August issue  and will mail as usual to honor the change in leadership this July. Our desire is to continue printing FM after this issue. That is a target and a goal, but again …

Please know that ultimately it is our responsibility to be prudent stewards of an operating budget during these difficult times. Many of you already know this as you rearrange budgets and deal with the painstaking matter of whether to lay off staff. We face the same challenges and it simply is not prudent or a show of stewardship at this given moment in time to print. We trust from your own experiences you will understand our decision.

In closing, as we all know, we will come back and we will come back stronger than ever as our venues open back up and serve as they were intended, to bring enjoyment to the communities which you represent. IAVM will also be stronger than ever, and Facility Manager will as well in its print version you have come to love.

R.V. Baugus

Senior Editor, FM Magazine

How To Clean And Disinfect Your Upholstered Seating

These tips will help you effectively clean banquet chair frames and upholstery without causing damage.

Chairs Frames
Most chair frames are steel and aluminum. Steel frames should be periodically wiped down with a light solution of soap and water or non-caustic cleaning agent to remove surface dirt and perspiration residue. If you use a cleaner, avoid ones that are abrasive as that can erode some finishes. Washing an aluminum frame is similar. Use a sponge or soft bristle brush and a solution of mild soap and water. Rinse with water and let dry. If you use a cleaner, avoid ones that are abrasive as that can erode some finishes. 

Chair Upholstery
Below is a list of cleaners that have been tested and approved for most types of upholstery. We recommend using a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the upholstery after using the cleaning application to remove any excess chemicals that might remain on the fabric.

• IAQ: Peroxide-based cleaner/stain remover
• Shockwave: Water-based quaternary cleaner with a lot of ammonia (very strong disinfectant)
• Recon: Alkaline-based and water-based product  
• Benefect: Water-based and botanical-based organic product
• Microban: Water-based product that is another quaternary cleaner
• Greased Lightning: Degreaser
• Lysol wipes
• Diversey Morning Mist: Neutral disinfectant cleaner
• Fantastik
• Oxycide
• 409
• Oxivir Tb
• Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
• Greenworks All-Purpose Cleaner
• Purell Food Service Sanitizer
• Simple Green

We hope these tips are useful to you and your employees.

Jeff Scott
VP of Sales – MityLite Inc.

In accordance with IAVM policies and bylaws, the slate for the 2020-2021 Board of Directors is now available online. As in previous years, members will have an opportunity to cast their votes electronically.

Members can read about the candidates online during their leisure in preparation of casting their votes.

The ballot box will open June 22, 2020 and will close on July 17, 2020. In the interim take advantage of the opportunity to read all about those individuals slated to lead the Association during the next year.

By R.V. Baugus

Mark Herrera, IAVM Director of Education and Life Safety, is a leading face and voice at IAVM regarding the Association’s heavy involvement in working with governmental entities as well as member venues to help work through the current pandemic and work toward bringing live events back to the public.

Mark is starting to build a heavy load on the live interview trail and most recently appeared in a segment with Miami’s Newsradio 610 WIOD to discuss precautions being taken that might help speed up the reopening process for venues across the country.

You will want to listen in here to catch Mark’s interview.

By Lorraine Carli

As the federal government and many states begin allowing businesses to reopen, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed a checklist to help building owners and facility managers prepare, ensuring that fire protection and life safety systems in commercial and multi-occupancy residential buildings are properly checked and functioning.

“During the lockdown policies in place over the past couple of months, many of the ongoing inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) activities typically required by locally enforced codes and standards may not have been completed for a variety of reasons,” said Val Ziavras, technical services engineer at NFPA. “Regardless of the level of ITM performed during this time, it is imperative that building owners and facility managers verify the performance of all building fire protection and life safety systems prior to reoccupation.”

The new NFPA resource addresses the factors that should be confirmed by a qualified person before re-opening a building to ensure the safety of all its occupants. Based on the assumption that the building was in compliance prior to being closed, the checklist provides some initial steps to help make sure the occupancy is safe enough to reopen until a qualified professional can complete the regularly scheduled ITM of all fire protection and life safety systems. Ziavras notes that this process should be completed as quickly as possible.

“Any alterations to the building that adhere to public health guidelines, such as the installation of physical barriers or automatic door openers, will need to be evaluated to ensure that they are properly designed and installed and do not negatively impact the fire protection and life safety systems currently in place,” said Ziavras.

The newly available checklist reflects the latest in a series of COVID-19 related resource developed by NFPA to address fire and life safety issues, concerns, and challenges that have emerged over the past couple of months. Additional resources are developed as they are added to the NFPA website.

Visit the NFPA coronavirus landing page to access all newly released documents, as well as existing COVID-19 related information, guidelines, and resources provided to date.

Lorraine Carli is in the Public Affairs Office at the NFPA.