Kiasu Workforce secured CRM Student’s MEP HVAC PPM contract and minor project works in 2017. Our cost-efficient, high-quality work and rapid response times has resulted in securing further 24-month and 36-month PPM contracts and reactive response exclusivity across the portfolio. The ongoing addition of new sites to our long-term contracts is evidence of our service delivery and cost savings for the client.
Our Responsibilities on This Project
Planned Preventative Maintenance and a 24-hour / 365 reactive response to 12no sites in the Southeast, the majority of which are in London.
- Redecoration
- Refurbishment
- Fixed Wire Testing
- TMV Servicing
- Painting Rooms and Common Areas
- Replacement of Flooring
Our Solution & Challenges
Solutions
Each property varies in size and scope, ranging from 30 beds to over 700 beds. Our ability to mobilise resources in the event of an emergency is of paramount importance to ensure minimal disruption to the students.
The contract stipulates a 3-hour emergency response; to meet this requirement, we have multiple engineers available to respond at any time, and no on-duty engineer is ever further than 3 hours away from the sites.
Our average emergency response time is under 2 hours. These properties are not only the students’ homes, but also places of study and recreation, accessible and operational 24/7/365.
We minimise disruption by scheduling works outside of term time wherever possible, and ensuring no works occur before 9am. PPM schedules are set annually and the client is alerted 1 week and then 1 day before visits.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges faced was working in occupied premises with students present, including vulnerable individuals.
Additionally, securing access to properties was difficult, as students would not always respond to access requests. To address these challenges, we took several steps to prioritise the safety and well-being of all site occupants. All our staff are enhanced DBS checked and trained in safeguarding to ensure the safety of site occupants.
We arranged for CRM to escort engineers and also worked closely with CRM to develop an access procedure, whereby CRM would attempt contact with the students three times before granting us direct access to the properties. Engineers were instructed to knock three times before accessing the property, at which point they would loudly announce their presence to any occupants.
Risk Management for This Project
Site-specific risk assessments were undertaken for each site before PPM works and prior to small works or reactive maintenance. A H&S issue was identified at one site, where the access hatches to assets were in non-compliant locations and were an emergency exit risk, preventing the delivery of safe PPM.
Our team rapidly produced a programme to relocate the hatches and delivered the works before the assets exceeded SFG20 PPM frequencies, maintaining full compliance.
Our Innovation & Added Value to This Project
Wherever possible, our engineers will resolve any reported issues via phone call, for example, providing guidance on resetting a system.
This minimises the number of callouts and any associated cost to the client. We also provide guidance on any replacement parts, advising on which parts offer the longest lifespan and require the least maintenance, creating long-term savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Services Does Kiasu Workforce Offer for Student Accommodations?
At Kiasu Workforce we provide a comprehensive range of planned maintenance services for student accommodations they include but are not limited to commercial HVAC maintenance, redecoration, refurbishment, fixed wire testing and TMV servicing.
Our planned maintenance programme helps modernise systems and facilities within student accommodations so that students can relax and focus on their studies.
How Does Kiasu Workforces Handle Emergencies in Student Accommodations?
Kiasu Workforces guarantees a 3-hour emergency response time with engineers available 24/7 as we understand that emergencies can occur at the most inconvenient times.
Our engineers aim to never be more than 3 hours away from sites so the average emergency response time is under 2 hours this allows us to provide reliable M&E maintenance such as commercial HVAC services.
The comfort of students is always a top priority that is why in the event of an emergency our ability to rapidly mobilise resources ensures minimal disruption to the students and lowers the risk of extensive damage to facilities.
Why Is Planned Preventative Maintenance Important for Commercial HVAC Systems?
At Kiasu Workforce we understand that planned preventative maintenance is crucial across the board but especially for commercial HVAC systems to ensure optimal performance, energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Regular planned maintenance helps to identify and address issues such as worn-out components, leaks or inefficiencies, preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring optimal performance levels.
Our commercial HVAC contractors are just a phone call away and will respond rapidly to carry out maintenance when required.
What Measures Does Kiasu Workforces Take to Ensure the Safety of Students and Staff During Maintenance Works?
At Kiasu Workforce staff are enhanced DBS checked and trained in safeguarding.
Working closely with property managers to develop access procedures and ensure proper communication with students before accessing their properties are crucial aspects of our planned maintenance programmes.