6 minute read
Make storage an investment
What items should companies store?
With an office downsize or a relocation to a similar size space comes a decision on what to move, store, recycle, refurbish or donate. This ranges from office furniture and IT equipment through to artwork and furnishings.
These decisions need to be made in advance of any move so create a detailed digital asset list that includes each item and its condition – this is vital to note before an item leaves a site to go into storage.
A digital list is easy to update and accessible by multiple people. These platforms are generally provided by a partner and are more advanced than Excel – they will include images, allow designated users to ring-fence items, and update in real-time whenever a change is made.
Deciding what to store will differ by company. Key considerations include: ● The cost of storage; ● How long you expect to leave an item in storage; and ● The cost of a new item if you didn’t keep the old one and need to repurchase.
The alternatives to keeping or storing an item often come with a cost too. Refurbishment is a great option from a sustainability perspective but has a cost. Donating unwanted furniture or IT equipment is another option and many of our clients do this to support charities in their local communities.
It may be tempting to store items in the workplace, perhaps in a spare office or a basement. However, this has drawbacks. Office estates are a lot more expensive per square metre than warehouses – a central London office could be 10 times more expensive than a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. We’ve seen several examples of items stored in offices without any real inventory or asset list, leading to new items being purchased because someone didn’t realise they were being stored. Items can also degrade and become damaged if not stored properly.
Working with a storage partner is a viable solution for many businesses.
But it’s not as simple as finding the nearest warehouse and booking space – there are important considerations if you want your storage to become an investment.
What to look for in a storage partner
A storage partner should: ● Be on the ball when maintaining your asset list, monitoring item conditions and the time each individual item has spent in storage. ● Offer a flexible lease as well as a suggested timescale for storage. It’s simply not worth storing something for so long that you pay more in storage than the value of the item(s). We work with our clients to set target dates. Once that date arrives, we contact our client and ask them if they want to continue with storage or look for alternative options. ● Provide security – if you are storing a safe that contains important documentation, make a record of who knows about it and how they will access it in case of an emergency. This may sound obvious, but if only one or two people have the code and both leave the company while the safe is in storage then that’s a
STORAGE STRATEGIES
How to make storage an investment
RACHEL HOUGHTON is managing director at Business Moves Group
As companies reconsider the physical footprint of their workplace in the postCovid business landscape, storage becomes an important investment consideration, says Rachel Houghton
problem. Look for a partner with a gated facility, CCTV, and alarm systems. Some will also have physical security. If we have a client with multiple high-value containers, we distribute them across the warehouse to further reduce risk. ● Offer insurance – make sure that your partner is insured and compliant, and request a condition report before anything goes into storage.
Storage needs to be treated as a strategic decision. Failure to do so could lead to wasted financial resources and a cluttered inventory. Get it right and you’ll be in total control over your assets.
FIRE SAFETY carried out before continuing with installation, as it will help to ensure not only the competency of the water mist system but also of the installer. The FPA is improving fire safety standards across the built environment through its UKASaccredited fire testing facilities, which offer testing on residential
Mist is a must
Water mist systems can be extremely effective at managing and preventing the spread of fire, says Jade Musto
Research from the Fire Protection Association and RISCAuthority shows that the average large loss in the event of a fire is £657,074 – so it’s critical that facilities managers ensure that the building is fully protected against fire, such as by having the right suppression systems in place.
Water mist systems can be extremely effective at preventing the spread of fire, but only when used properly. Below, I explore the vital considerations for FMs looking to use water mist systems as a part of their fire strategy, and the importance of third-party accreditation when it comes to installing and maintaining systems.
How do the systems work?
Water mist systems lower the temperature and reduce the oxygen concentration of the fire so combustion cannot be maintained, and the flame is extinguished. Although these systems are not a replacement for sprinklers, they are increasingly commonplace in commercial buildings. One reason is that they emit a finer spray of water – causing less damage to
JADE MUSTO is head of suppression system testing at the Fire Protection Association (FPA) the contents of a building when extinguishing a fire.
As they require less water than sprinklers, they also take up less space – making them an appealing option for certain buildings. As with any suppression system, however, they must be properly installed and regularly inspected to guarantee maximum effectiveness.
What are the key considerations for FMs?
1Water mist systems must be
designed with the building environment in mind
This is because there are fewer appropriate standards or certification systems for water mist systems and components are bespoke and not interchangeable.
Because the systems are specific to the building, those responsible for fire safety should seek input from an accredited third party – someone who has the knowledge and experience to carry out a thorough inspection before installation, so that they can be sure that they will be effective.
2BS 8458 water mist testing Water mist systems must be tested prior to installation. BS 8458 testing gives designers and installers peace of mind that their systems have been tested to the highest possible standard and will perform as intended should a fire break out. FMs should seek assurance that this testing has been and domestic water mist systems according to BS 8458: 2015.
3Maintain nozzles An accredited third party should regularly test water mist nozzles to make sure the systems will operate effectively in a fire. Nozzles should be removed and sent for testing after 10 years of service and be tested every five years after that as set out in the NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.
FMs, and those responsible for building fire safety, should re-evaluate their building’s fire strategy and approach, including the use of fire protection and prevention measures, to make sure they reflect any changes that have occurred following the pandemic. It may be that some businesses have changed location because of changing staff numbers or a move to more flexible working practices. In such cases, fire strategies will need to be reconsidered to address any new potential risks – this includes looking at what fire protection systems they need in place, but also other fire-related procedures such as developing a clear fire evacuation plan.
FMs should seek support from an accredited third party on installation and maintenance of water mist systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants – and protect you against liability should a fire occur.
