The FPC FM team have been busy throughout the Covid-19 pandemic looking after Hachette’s UK facilities and made certain that our client was able to be confident that their facilities remain safe and secure,  Covid-19 related risks have been managed and facilities closed during lockdown were ready for re-occupancy. 

Throughout the lockdown our dedicated Hachette FM team have worked tirelessly to keep facilities operational in Hachette’s London offices and Oxfordshire offices & distribution facilities. During this most challenging of times, the team ensured that: 

• The Health & Safety of those staff continuing to work was not compromised 
• Critical business operations facilities that were required to remain open did so and were fully supported throughout 
• Remote checks are carried out for any closed office facilities 
• Legal requirements, scientific facts and contractual obligations were all understood and met 
• All Contractor Covid-19 Risk Assessments were compliant prior to and during works  
• All statutory obligations were being met and all possible proactive maintenance activities performed 
• Building operations remained optimal and responsive to changing demand 
• Preparations were made so that when our client was able to begin coordinating the return to office, facilities were ready and able to meet the Covid-19 related requirements for social distancing and increased hygiene and sanitation  

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One of the key challenges the team faced was ensuring that there was clarity about the legal obligations and duty of care incumbent upon our client at a time of conflicting & rapidly changing government guidance and confusion borne out of rumour, online conjecture and wrongly interpreted science. A particularly good example of this was establishing facts in relation to HVAC and air recirculation, a field of much contention in the market as concerns circulated regarding circulation of secondary air in confined spaces. Using our engineering knowledge and industry guidance (CIBSE, IWFM, etc.), we were able to reassure our client that their existing HVAC systems & practices were fit-for-purpose and facilities were safe for use ‘as is’ when they returned to the office as lockdown restrictions eased. 

To find out more about how our excellent Facilities Management team can support your business as you prepare to return to office and strive to maintain your facilities in this most challenging of times, please get in touch.