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Upgrading Parking Garage Safety The underground garage is the largest BY HOLDEN JOHNSON common element in most condominiums, but it is often overlooked when it comes to meeting basic safety criteria. W ith residents spending ver y lit tle time in the parking garage, along with the headache of having to arrange for temporary parking permits, coordinate the moving of vehicles and find a qualified contractor available to do the job on time, it’s easy to see why such projects are postponed year after year. Yet upgrades can be completed with minimal disruption and will improve the safety and security of residents and visitors. Here are three simple ways condo corporations can upgrade the safety of the underground garage, and the benefits of doing so. Improve Visibility Two main ways to increase visibility are through lighting and painting (coatings). Bright lights such as fluorescent lights and LEDs can help people easily spot approaching vehicles and vice versa. In addition, with a new coating over dim, faded or peeling surfaces with bold new colours that reflect light back, residents can effectively multiply the value of their investment as the new luminance of underground garage creates a safe and inviting area. Present Clear Markings The colour scheme seen in parking garages that are up-to-code is the result of coordinating multiple bylaws; for example, municipal property standards, fire code, building code, and health and safety codes. A n d w h i l e t h e re m a y b e s l i g h t differences among municipalities, the common requirements specify that:
• Ceilings and walls are to be devoid of cracks, holes and loose paint. • Ceilings and vertical surfaces, such as walls and pillars, must be painted white, with a 60 cm black dado on all perimeter walls, bays and pillars. • O verhead pipes, which are of ten uncoated and left to rust, are required to be colour- coded and protected from corrosion. Ensuring that pipes are maintained and marked correctly is important to visually differentiate plumbing, gas and sprinkler pipes. • Emergency exits must be clearly indicated with highly visible signage and painted green. Providing clear directions towards
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the exits, as well as signage and directional arrows indicating the flow of traffic, will help reduce wandering in the garage, as well as help ensure traffic flows in the right direction. Provide an Anti-Slip Surface Bare concrete can become a slip hazard on floors, ramps and stairs, especially on rainy days and from snow transported inside during the winter months. Installing an epoxy or other specialty anti-slip coating is an effective way to provide residents and visitors with the grip they need, whether they are driving or walking.
