10 Reasons Colleges Should Use Facility Condition Assessments

We've had the privilege of working with several local colleges, universities, charter schools, and private schools on facility condition assessments.

Here are 10 reasons university administrators and planners should use facility condition assessments on their properties.

1. An FCA Improves Safety: Facility condition assessments identify potential safety hazards and risks on college grounds. This gives schools the chance to make necessary repairs and upgrades to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
   
2. An FCA Prevents Equipment Failure: Through regular facility condition assessments, schools identify equipment that is nearing the end of its expected useful life (EUL) and replace it before it fails. This can save schools money in unexpected repairs and reduce classroom downtime and other facility loss.
   
3. An FCA Improves Energy Efficiency: A facility condition assessment identifies areas where energy efficiency improvements can be made, such as upgrading lighting, HVAC systems, or insulation, which can save schools money on utility bills in the long run.
   
4. An FCA Extends Building Lifespans: By identifying maintenance needs early, school planners can extend the lifespan of their buildings, resulting in significant long-term cost savings.
   
5. An FCA Improves Indoor Air Quality: Facility condition assessments identify ventilation and mold issues, which affect indoor air quality. Solving these issues leads to a healthier environment for students, teachers, and staff.
   
6. An FCA Enables Financial Planning: Regular facility condition assessments enable schools to plan and budget for timely repairs and upgrades, rather than waiting until the repairs become urgent.
   
7. An FCA Aids Regulation Compliance: FCA's identify any areas where a school may not be in compliance with local, state, or federal regulations, allowing the school to proactively address these issues.
   
8. An FCA Improves Appearance: Addressing FCA-identified repairs improves the school's buildings and grounds appearance, impressing visitors, students, parents, and staff.
   
9. An FCA Enhances Educational Experience: Schools can use facility condition assessment reports to prioritize experience-enhancing improvements, including classroom technology upgrades and improving ADA accessibility.
   
10. An FCA Protects Investments: A facility condition assessment can help schools protect their investment in their properties by identifying and addressing issues before they become more costly to repair or even result in system or facility failure.