CAI-NJ Feb.2018

MANAGEMENT TRENDS

Keeping Your Community Secure By Elaine Warga-Murray, CMCA, AMS, PCAM RMG, Regency Management Group, Inc., AAMC

M anagers have a responsibility to secure the safety and well being of the communities they manage. The two main areas of concern are always the condition of physical property and financial stability. Keeping that in mind, management protocol typ- ically includes procedures for ensuring that the community components are secure and maintained in ways that allow the well-being of the community residents, the physical envi- ronment, and the fiscal assets. In plain English, establish methods for minimizing potential damage to people and property. There is also the issue of securing data that rests with management firms, however, this article will address the routine aspects that every manager must address for safety. • Ingress and Egress – Every community must provide the ability to safely enter and/or leave the community, indi- vidual homes, common facilities etc. This includes keep- ing sight lines open, keeping concrete and pavement trip free, and free of hazards. This includes providing ice melt and keeping shrubs trimmed. Accessible access to public spaces and maintaining appropriate pathways for safe and ease of access. • Storm conditions – This includes minimizing hazards that can occur with heavy winds, heavy rain and icy conditions. Some items to consider include, removing tree branches that overhang or are near buildings or over parking areas; repairing trip hazards due to water runoff (such as gutters that empty onto driveways or walkways); inspecting and repairing any uneven pavement of walkway surfaces; removing dead trees; repairing serious drainage problems of standing water; keeping storm sewers clear and updat- Physical property concerns include the follow- ing categories:

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"In plain English, establish methods for minimizing potential damage to people and property."

ing storm sewer grates with tighter grids; providing ice melt; installing slip free surfaces on inclines; installing slip free surfaces for entry into all common facilities; scheduling roof inspections before winter and spring storm seasons; estab- lishing procedures for ice storms with under two inches of accumulation. • Fire safety – Maintaining a protocol to minimize condi- tions that may lead to fire. Enforce dryer vent cleaning; enforce fireplace inspections; prohibit exterior storage near buildings; enforce gas grill restrictions; do not store large files of paper in sheds and other common areas; do not store gasoline in maintenance building garag- es; enforce cleanup of oil leaks on parking areas and restrict smoking areas. • Leaks – Water issues can be caused by both plumb- ing issues and roof issues, as well as drainage issues. For plumbing issues , enforce new codes for burst

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