Bruce Chaplin, Director Facility Management Essentials reports managing your essential safety measures (ESM) can be time consuming, difficult and can leave the Real Estate Agent and Property Manager exposed to fines and penalties. Undertaking the regular maintenance testing and inspections is only half of the job.

The Essential Safety Measures regulations, not only require documentation of the testing and inspections, but it also requires the repair work to be carried out in a timely manner and documentation to be maintained.

The property/facility manager needs to be able to demonstrate that all issues detected during the regular testing and inspections are followed up and resolved in a reasonable time period. This follow up documentation also needs to be recorded to provide evidence that the ESM have been maintained to the required standards under the regulations.

Facility Management Essentials have been helping their clients achieve full compliance by providing Real Estate Agents and Property Managers with a full ESM management service. This service includes the review of each of the testing and inspection results and the need for any additional repair work required. FME can help clients by obtaining quotes for the owner's approval and/or issue the jobs to your preferred contractor. The jobs are then monitored to ensure they are completed by the agreed date and are paid at the agreed rate or price.

FME use fmXpert to manage the ESM needs. FME use the system to carry out the following functions: 

• Scheduling for the tests and inspections. 
• Recording test and inspection results. 
• Creating additional work orders and issuing to preferred suppliers. 
• Obtaining quotes and owner approvals 
• Tracking the progress of both regular inspections and repairs to ensure maintenances are not missed. 
• Maintaining a full history of all works undertaken on site. Providing cash flow analysis over an extended period. Asset register 
• Prompting for annual events (eg insurance renewal) 
• Providing a WEB access for the Property Manager to review what is happening at each site and to provide a recording system for any faults reported by tenants or owners. 
• Automatic email notification to property managers when issued are completed or become overdue.

FME will also monitor contractor performance to ensure the owners get what they pay for and are charged only for agreed work at the agreed price.

Real Estate and Property Managers can keep their finger on the pulse, ensure they meet their regulatory responsibilities and maximise value to their clients.

For more assistance or advice in this area please contact:

Bruce Chaplin Facility Management Essentials 134 Johnston Street Fitzroy, VIC 3065 Phone: (03) 9416 2888 Email: bruce@fmeau.com.au Website: www.fmeau.com.au