Posts Tagged ‘preventative maintenance’

Building Reliability Through Preventative Maintenance

Friday, January 23rd, 2026

The best time to fix a problem? Before it ever became a problem. Preventative maintenance keeps systems running smoothly, protects assets, and ensures buildings operate safely and efficiently. From fire alarms to mechanical systems, staying one step ahead of potential issues saves time, resources, and headaches. To get the inside perspective, we spoke with Alan Hall, Electrical Operations Manager in Service, and Dave Grass, Service Account Manager, about how Egan’s proactive approach keeps facilities—and the people in them—secure and operational.

Understanding the Value of Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is more than a routine-check, it’s a critical safeguard for buildings and the people inside them. Fire alarm systems, for example, are code-required, monitored by local authorities, and essential for keeping facilities safe from hazards. Hall explained, “the city or authority having jurisdiction is monitoring that the system is tested annually, and preventative maintenance ensures the building stays safe from a fire-related perspective. There’s no question about it—it has to be done.”

A preventative maintenance agreement takes that requirement a step further by creating consistency, predictability, and accountability. Rather than reacting to failures, preventative maintenance agreements establish scheduled inspections, testing, and documentation that help extend equipment life, reduce unexpected downtime, and avoid costly emergency repairs. Customers also benefit from clearer budgeting and fewer surprises, since maintenance needs are addressed proactively instead of after a disruption occurs.

The same proactive approach extends across all of Egan’s services. From electrical and mechanical systems to life safety, security, and technology solutions, preventative maintenance is about keeping every system operational, reliable, and performing as intended. “Every single tie-in has a functional test or a functional piece,” said Grass. This ensures that each component is not only working individually but also integrated seamlessly with the rest of the building’s systems, preventing small issues from becoming costly disruptions.

Designing a Program Around Customer Needs
Hall and Grass emphasized that Egan doesn’t just react to requests, it proactively sets up processes based on the customer’s equipment and operational goals. “We have set processes in place, and we provide them to the customer as more than a directive,” Hall explained. “Most of the time, we are the trusted resource for our customers. They don’t have to think about it because we’ve been doing it for years.”

Grass agreed: “it’s our recommendation and our process. Customers can rely on us because we’ve built these preventative maintenance programs to align with operational objectives and budgets, and we have decades of experience doing it.”

Coordinating Multi-Trade Capabilities
The integrated service model ensures that multiple trades work together seamlessly, providing a comprehensive approach to building maintenance and system reliability. Grass explained that successful coordination often comes down to proactive planning and leveraging Egan’s long-standing industry relationships. “Every tie-in is checked to ensure systems function correctly together,” he said. “It’s not just about each component working individually—it’s about the building operating as a whole.” He shared an example: a customer once thought they would need to reschedule a fire alarm inspection because their sprinkler contractor couldn’t align schedules. By coordinating with a trusted partner on Egan’s network, Grass was able to make the inspection happen on time, keeping the project on track and avoiding delays.

“We collaborate with specialized contractors to ensure inspections and tests are completed efficiently and without delay,” Hall said. “The goal is to provide the customer with smooth, uninterrupted service while making sure every system is reliable and compliant.” This approach allows customers to stay focused on their operations, confident that every system is working correctly behind the scenes.

Transparency and Customer Portal Access
The Egan Customer Portal gives facility owners real-time access to critical information, including contracts, service requests, invoices, and upcoming appointments. Hall explained that the portal provides a full view of a customer’s relationship with Egan in just a few clicks. “You can see the primary account manager, technicians, and service history without making a phone call,” he said. “It reduces emails, calls, and lag time, giving customers quick access to the information they need.” 

This level of transparency is especially valuable for customers with preventative maintenance agreements, where tracking compliance, documentation, and service history is essential. The portal makes it easy to verify inspections, prepare for audits, and stay ahead of upcoming maintenance—supporting both operational planning and regulatory requirements.

Grass also highlighted how the portal complements the consistency of Egan’s Service teams. “We assign a dedicated small team to each site, with primary and backup technicians,” he said. “They have strong partnerships and know the building, the systems, and the processes, which makes preventative maintenance more efficient and reliable.”

By combining a transparent, easy-to-access portal with knowledgeable, consistent service teams, Egan ensures customers have both the information and the support they need to keep their facilities running smoothly.

What Sets Egan Apart
“What differentiates our preventative services is that we proactively schedule inspections and follow up on repairs, taking the checklist off the customer’s plate,” Hall explained. “By having integrated, in-house trades, we can address issues immediately, provide recommendations, and ensure continuity in service. Customers don’t have to coordinate multiple vendors, they rely on a single, trusted team.” Preventative maintenance at Egan isn’t just about keeping lights on or systems running, it’s about building relationships, reducing risk, and ensuring facilities operate safely, efficiently, and reliably for years to come. Are you ready to leverage more with Egan’s preventative maintenance services? Contact us today! 

The Secret to Long-Lasting Plumbing Systems

Monday, September 29th, 2025

Getting ahead of building maintenance is an important aspect of a property manager’s and building engineer’s role. It can be easy, however, to overlook the less visible aspects of a commercial property, including the plumbing and piping systems that run throughout. Losing track of the health of the plumbing in a building can be costly, but knowing what to look for and conducting regular check-ups can keep commercial plumbing systems running without cause for concern well into the future. 

Environmental Considerations

Extreme temperatures can affect the plumbing and pipes in commercial buildings. In Minnesota, this often means the risk of freezing pipes in the winter. Getting ahead of seasonal changes and taking stock of the internal systems in buildings can help prevent long-term damage or disastrous emergencies when freezing temperatures set in. Proper insulation and regular inspections are preventative measures building engineers and property managers can take to keep everything intact year-round. 

Water Quality Checks

Keeping a pulse on what is running through the pipes in a building helps maintenance experts get ahead of necessary repairs, changes, and updates. The quality of the water in the plumbing can be a big indicator of the health of the pipes. Hard water, for example, can cause extra corrosion and potential buildup. Water filters and commercial-grade softeners ease the strain on plumbing and piping systems, keeping the insides clean and cared for. 

Additionally, occupant usage can affect the water quality and plumbing health in the facility. If grease or non-biodegradable contents are being poured into drains, then the building systems will suffer. Educating occupants and encouraging proper waste disposal are key to extending the lifespan of the plumbing and piping in commercial buildings. 

Inspections and Maintenance

Establishing a regular inspection schedule for the plumbing in your facility keeps building engineers and property managers in the know of the health of the building and safeguards against emergency repairs or lasting damage. Inspections should include taking a close look at pipes, fixtures, water heaters, and other relevant equipment that may need maintenance tune-ups. These annual inspections can be conducted by building engineers, or by a trusted service partner such as Egan Company. Know what to look for and have a plan to make necessary repairs before potential issues escalate into major problems. 

Achieve Healthy Pipes

The responsibility of building maintenance does not have to fully rest upon property managers and building engineers. Let Egan Company help take care of necessary inspections, repairs, preventative maintenance, and emergency service for plumbing equipment. Our goal is to educate property managers and building engineers, supporting facility maintenance where needed and providing necessary resources to keep your commercial building systems healthy for the long run. Looking for a partner for your commercial property? Get in touch with our team and take some responsibility off your shoulders. 

Drain Clogs Happen – Don’t Let It Interrupt Your Operations

Wednesday, September 21st, 2016

Keep your operations flowing without interruption

Clogs happen, but they don’t need to slow down your business operations

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If you manage buildings, ensuring your drains are clear is messy business. But with routine cleaning, you shouldn’t have to worry about costly drain clogs.

With Egan Company’s customized preventative maintenance plans, we’ll regularly dispatch a trained technician with camera inspection equipment to ensure your drains – and mind – are always clear.

But don’t take it from us – here’s what one of our customers said.

Mike really helped me out with an oil leak from one of a trucks that ended up in our sump and trench drain in the loading dock at Centennial Lakes Office Park. Mike was able to get the sump pumped out and the trench drain cleaned out that day. Mike did a great job for us in this emergency situation that, not only saved us money, but avoided additional impact and problems from the oil spill.

– Chief Engineer, Centennial Lakes Office Park