School maintenance

Planned maintenance

Planned maintenance ensures we keep our schools in good condition and address every school’s maintenance needs individually.

With the exception of hospital schools and schools in correctional centres, planned maintenance is reviewed annually. We identify assets that may require maintenance work as their condition may have deteriorated or is near end-of-life.

Examples of planned maintenance works include:

• painting (internally and externally)
• replacing worn-out items such as floor coverings, windows and doors
• roof replacements
• bathroom refurbishment.

Planned maintenance frequency

Each item in a school has an expected life cycle. However, some items may deteriorate or require maintenance sooner than anticipated. A great example is carpet. In low traffic areas, like an office space, it may need replacing every 8 years, but carpet in a hallway may need to be replaced more frequently.

For this reason, all items will be inspected and assessed for the need to undertake maintenance works.

This task is generally completed by an Asset Services Officer responsible for the school. The Asset Services Officer will review the life cycle condition information, validate the work required on the site and determine if any other items have deteriorated faster than anticipated. The scope of the works to be undertaken is developed and planned for delivery, with consultation with the Principal.

Proactive maintenance

Proactive maintenance is scheduled routine and regular maintenance work. It is carried out in our schools throughout the year to keep assets operational and safe. Services are undertaken by our Local Contractors and, depending on the asset, may require servicing monthly, quarterly, twice yearly or yearly.

Proactive maintenance includes work such as gutter cleaning, air conditioning servicing and electrical test and tagging.

It also includes statutory maintenance which is work we must perform by law, such as servicing lifts, mixing valves, fire safety systems and performing electrical inspections such as emergency exit lights and switchboards.

Reactive maintenance

Just like at home, the need for unexpected and/or urgent repairs can arise in a school. Schools can request maintenance repairs by raising a Callout in FMWeb 2.0 (our Facilities Maintenance work order management system). We engage local contractors to attend promptly to ensure that our schools remain operational and safe.

High priority maintenance repairs are addressed immediately. Types of urgent repairs include:

• a burst water pipe
• electrical faults
• roof leaks
• broken windows
• gas leaks.