(786) 628-9227 Request Service Call
Request Service Call (786) 628-9227

Printable checklist

Something broke? What to do first

One page of first steps for the person who is on site when something fails. Print it, pin it up, and keep the number where it can be seen.

Download the PDF Call (786) 628-9227

Who the card is for

Most building problems get worse in the first half hour, and the person standing there is usually a receptionist, a cleaner or a shift lead rather than a facilities manager. The card tells them what to switch off, what to keep people away from and what to photograph, one line each, for five parts of the building.

Pin it behind the front desk, inside the maintenance closet door or next to the staff time clock. It is meant to be read in under a minute by someone who has never seen the problem before.

It covers first steps only and repairs are left to the trade. For a fuller picture of any one symptom, the problems index links to what to check and who fixes it, and emergency service lists what to call about right away and what can wait for morning.

The checklist

Something broke? What to do first

Download the PDF to print

Doors and locks

  • Do not chain or padlock an exit door.
  • Photograph any damage to the frame before it is touched.
  • If the door will not lock and the building will be empty, call tonight.
  • Note whether the latch hits the strike high, low or on its edge.

Glass

  • Keep people back from the opening, inside and out.
  • Photograph the storefront, the frame and the ground before sweeping.
  • Sweep the public side only. Leave glass held in the frame alone.
  • Do not vacuum broken glass.

Water and ceilings

  • Move stock and equipment out from under the water.
  • Keep people away from any area where water is near lights.
  • Put a bucket under it. Do not poke a bulging tile.
  • Photograph the ceiling, the source and the time it started.

Power and lighting

  • Look outside. Are the neighbors and the street lights dark too?
  • Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off.
  • Do not open a panel cover. Photograph the labels instead.
  • Note what the outage took: refrigeration, doors, alarms.

Cooling and walk-ins

  • Push the walk-in door shut and check the gasket and latch.
  • Write down the temperature and the time, then keep logging.
  • Stop opening the door. Move sensitive stock to cold space.
  • Do not chip ice with anything hot, sharp or metal.

Then call

  • (786) 628-9227
  • Someone who works here answers, out of hours included.
  • Have ready: the address, what is failing, when it started.
  • Say how to get in after hours.

Where it comes from

Built from these pages

Common questions

Questions about this checklist

Does the card replace calling?

No. It covers the minutes before someone arrives. Call as soon as you have made the area safe, and tell the person who answers what you have already done.

Can I add our own building details to it?

Yes. Write the building address, the after-hours entry instructions and the name of whoever approves access in the margin before you print. Those are the things people forget at night.

More to print

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Rather have it on the wall already?

Print the card from this page, or call and tell us about the building. Someone who works here answers, out of hours included.

(786) 628-9227 Request service