As we head into the winter months, we wanted to provide some information and simple tips for tenants to make the most of your CHP building and make sure they are comfortable for building users.
Keeping your building warm and efficient
As the first cold snap of Autumn makes its presence felt, most of you should have noticed that the heating in your building is on and functioning well. If there are any issues, please notify your ORM as soon as possible and we’ll get the hard FM team to investigate.
Although the heating is on, we know that the climate is also unpredictable, and we will have unseasonably warm days as well as cold ones. Given the high energy costs in the UK and what it costs to heat our buildings, we do ask that everyone adopts common sense to their local environment.
If we have mild days, please be aware that leaving radiators on their highest setting and yet opening windows above those radiators to cool down is the most wasteful practice possible. This requires local users to intervene and self-manage, but the collective savings for the NHS are considerable.
During colder weather, we recommend aiming for 21 degrees. If you place on a 3 or 4 on the radiator dial, this will automatically bring the temperature to a comfortable setting.
If you are struggling or feel your system is not working properly, contact your Operations and Relationships Manager (ORM) in the first instance who will be able to advise what the best course of action is.
Portable heaters can be utilised and will be supplied by your Hard FM team when your building heating system is not functioning well. It is essential that where the heating system is not efficient, that this is reported to the relevant Helpdesk. To reduce the associated fire risk do not use fan or convector type heaters, CHP have created guidance on the Safe Use of Portable Heaters (PDF).
The guidance details the types of portable heaters accepted for use within our premises and also provides details on their safe use. As always with electrical equipment unless the heater is a brand-new item, please ensure it is PAT tested, or equivalent, and cables are placed safely to avoid being a trip hazard or easily damaged.
It is also important to never block your heater with anything including clothes, gloves and hats whether they are wet or you want to warm them up before going outside.
Don’t forget to turn heaters off when they are not needed, or better yet, use an automatic timer. If you want support to bring this about, please speak to your ORM.
Top Tips for Tenants
Try to wear warmer clothing, for instance, heavier jumpers and coats
Keep windows closed and regularly check your boiler is working effectively
Log any issues you find through the Aria helpdesk
Preparing your building for inclement weather
Car parks will be gritted if there is a threat of cold or icy conditions in line with agreed practices between our tenants and our suppliers. Your tenant information pack will outline who is responsible for this service, but please speak to your ORM if you require clarity. For heavy snow, if it should happen, some services will need to make arrangements for snow clearance with your own supplier or liaise with your ORM.
If locks have frozen or seized, please also use the helpdesk to report the issue and those responsible for opening and closing the building should have contingency plans to help.
Finally, make sure you assess the risk of slippery internal floors and take precautions such as asking for extra non-slip mats as heavy footfall can create a hazard in high traffic areas.
How can CHP help?
The CHP technical team is working with landlords and their contractors to address comfort and temperatures in our buildings where there are issues. These changes are already making an improvement and delivering better efficiencies.
If you need further help, speak to your ORM, log your issue through the Aria helpdesk or contact our technical team who will be happy to organise a visit to your building.
CHP Tenant Hub
The hub covers information for CHP tenants on health and safety, sustainability, facilities management including HardFM, and SoftFM, leases, charges and billing.
In addition there is information on bookable rooms and filming at our premises.
