Building Services Guide

This guide to services provides information regarding Public Utilities Commission (PUC) services versus fee for service, clarifies what services VU Maintenance and Operations provides; and outlines how to access them. The services are divided into eight different categories.

Also included in this guide are other services that VUMO provides on a fee for services basis. Although intended to be thorough and all-inclusive, not all services can be provided in a brief format.

Each year, VUMO receives funding to provide custodial services, maintenance and operational services for campus buildings and grounds. These services are referred to as "PUC funded" throughout this document. 

Services from schools or departments that are not considered standard building system maintenance are not PUC funded and are billed directly to the department include:

  • facilities renewal projects
  • any system or building repairs over $20,000
  • requests made outside the schedule for routine maintenance
  • minor and major renovations
  • all special events (setup and cleanup, for example)
  • insurance claims related to the building

Building Systems Control (BSC)

BSC is Vanderbilt University's main control center for monitoring fire alarms, security alarms and building control systems. BSC operates 24/7, and serves as the first line of communication with customers for after hours, weekends and holidays service requests for campus buildings, grounds and utilities.

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Service Request

All Vanderbilt University department should use the ReADY application to contact VUMO. Schools and departments can request work through ReADY in one of the following ways by visiting ready.app.vanderbilt.edu and log in using their Vanderbilt email address. 

For emergency building services, please contact Building Systems Control (BSC) at 615-322-2621.

Submit a Service Request

How a Work Request is Processed

Many buildings and departments have facility officers, coordinators or contact persons who work with VUMO regularly and know the service procedures well. Please coordinate requests with the facility representative in your building to eliminate duplication and facilitate service delivery. 

The procedure for requesting work is as follows. 

A. When possible, contact the facility coordinator in your building to inform them of the work request. 

B. The facility coordinator will submit the request using the ReADY application. 

C. If the request is for a service, the requesting department must provide a Chart of Account (COA) string or POET to which the work will be charged. 

D. A work order is then created and automatically forwarded to appropriate VUMO service unit. In addition through AiM (VUMO work management system) an email will be sent to the requester notifying them that a work order has been created. The system also generates status email when each phases of the work order is completed. 

E. The service unit will contact the requesting department, if necessary, and set a schedule to perform the work. 

F. If the work order is considered an emergency (flooding, gas leak, power outage, etc.) the appropriate service staff member(s) will be dispatched immediately to resolve the emergency. 

Services Categories

The eight service categories are defined as follows:

  • Building Envelope - Maintenance and minor repair to the outer shell of the building including the foundation, roofs, exterior walls, doors, windows and substructures.
  • Building Interior Service Systems - Maintenance and minor repair to eating, ventilation, and cool, plumbing systems, electrical service, lighting, fire suppression systems and energy management systems.
  • Interior Structures - Maintenance and minor repair to ceilings, floor coverings, interior walls, stairs, handrails, doors and door hardware.
  • Custodial - Cleaning of building common and private spaces to include furnishings, artwork and floor coverings.
  • Grounds - Cleaning, maintenance and repair of exterior and interior grounds including landscape, hardscape, irrigation systems and seasonal weather events.
  • Waste Management and Recycling - Collection and disposal of solid waste and recyclable material.
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Managing/controlling pests through an effective and environmentally sensitive approach that relies on a combination of common-sense practices and current comprehensive information on the lifecycles of pests and their interaction with the environment.
  • Utilities
  • Service Priorities and Responses

    In addition to planned maintenance of infrastructure, buildings, and grounds, VUMO receives approximately 35,000 work requests every year. In order to give appropriate attention to all requests, VUMMO management team assigns work based on the stated need for the work, the potential mission impact, the overall resources involved in completing the work, and the relative urgency of the request when compared to other outstanding requests. 

    A. Emergency - Imminent threat to life, property, security or environment. Emergencies will be responded to immediately, and at a minimum mitigated until a permanent repair can be made. Examples:

    • electrical power failure
    • an overflowing toilet
    • elevator systems malfunctions
    • chemical odors
    • flooding; and
    • broken windows that pose imminent risk.

    These requests take precedence over all other requests. 

    B. Urgent - Urgent situation posing a threat of personal injury, equipment damage, and serious disruption to university operations. Urgent requests will be responded to as soon as possible . If circumstances prevent an immediate response then it will addressed within 24 hours. Examples:

    • malfunctioning heating and cooling
    • plumbing
    • graffiti
    • flickering office lights or lights out in a large area
    • Fire Marshal or code compliance corrective actions
    • ADA compliance issues (ex. inoperative door opener); and
    • problems affecting the security of facilities. 

    C. Routine - Normal maintenance or service item that does not pose an immediate risk to facilities, systems, equipment or components. Examples are:

    • repairing or replacing door hardware
    • patching and repainting
    • checking, inspecting, servicing, and adjusting various systems or components
    • pruning, trimming, mowing, and fertilizing grounds areas; and 
    • repairing or replacing ceiling tiles. 

    Advance notice from the customer is required to allow scheduling of personnel and receipt of materials; respond within five days and completed in 15 days or less depending on workload. 

    D. Scheduled - Normal maintenance or service that does not pose an immediate risk to facilities, systems equipment, or components. Examples:

    • project improvements or enhancements to existing infrastructure/equipment/assets
    • purchasing of parts are required. 

    E. Preventative Maintenance - Scheduled maintenance and upkeep of buildings and major equipment assets to ensure reliable and efficient operations. Examples:

    • work to uncover potential hazards to personnel or property and prevent failure of equipment. 

    This work should be planned and scheduled based on equipment and systems manufacturer specification. 

  • Services Covered Under Each Catergory

    Building Envelope

    • Roof and drains maintenance and repairs
    • Window maintenance and repairs
    • Broken window replacement, not considered intentional damage
    • Window cleaning every other year
    • Cyclic tuck pointing of building mason work
    • Cyclic spray washing of building and sidewalks
    • Cyclic painting of building exterior 
    • Maintenance and repair of exterior building walls, ex. brickwork 
    • Maintenance and repairs of exterior building steps, entrances, columns and handrails associated with a building access
    • Maintenance and repairs of exterior lighting 
    • Maintenance and repairs of underground fuel tanks of generators
    • Maintenance of doors, hardware and closure systems

    Building Interior 

    • Lighting repair and maintenance of fixtures that are part of the building, excluding office lamps
    • Elevator maintenance and repairs
    • Plumbing services including sewer and maintenance of drains and traps
    • Plumbing fixtures maintenance and repairs
    • Utilities services to table or equipment or the basic electrical disconnect or shut-off valve that services the equipment building/occupant
    • Maintenance and repair of air conditioning/heating systems
    • Preventative maintenance services to building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
    • Monitoring and maintenance of life systems, examples:
      • heating, cooling, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, alarms, fire suppression, fire alarms, and fire detection
    • Maintenance and repairs of surveillance systems (except for DOS buildings)
    • Energy management systems, examples:
      • lighting control, and building automation
    • After hours emergency services
    • Maintenance and repair of compressed air systems
    • Compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations within a building

    Interior Structure

    • Cyclic painting of common and public areas
    • Annual hard floor surface detail cleaning and refinishing 
    • Walls repair with a scope of work
    • Maintenance and repairs of doors and door locks
    • Repairs of floor surfaces in common areas with a scope of work not to exceed $20,000
    • Maintenance and repair of stairs, handrails, and glass with a scope not to exceed $20,000
    • Maintenance and repairs of ceiling with a scope of work not to exceed $20,000

    Custodial 

    • Routine removal of trash and recycling from all building areas
    • Routine cleaning of common and public spaces, examples:
      • restrooms, lounges, corridors, stairwells, classrooms, conference rooms, kitchens, break rooms, etc. 
    • Weekly detail cleaning of common and public spaces
    • Weekly detail cleaning of private spaces, examples:
      • offices
      • research labs, etc. 
    • Spot carpet cleaning as needed 
    • Annual carpet cleaning
    • Annual hard floor surfaces detail cleaning
    • Bi-annual cleaning of window blinds in residential halls
    • Cleaning of light fixtures except for those requiring specialized equipment due to their height and disassemble:
      • Residential Halls - Annually 
      • Academic/Administrative Buildings - as needed

    Grounds Maintenance

    • Litter and trash removal
    • Maintenance of green space including lawns, flower beds, and interior gardens
    • Trees and shrubs maintenance 
    • Maintenance and repair of irrigation systems
    • Maintenance and repair of ground exterior lighting 
    • Maintenance, repairs, and replacement of campus way finding signage (does not include signage attached to buildings)
    • Maintenance and repair of water features
    • Maintenance repair of hardscape, examples:
      • sidewalks, retaining walls, bike racks, benches, curbs, patios, streets, parking, etc. 
    • Maintenance and repairs of waste and recycling containers
    • Maintenance of art structures
    • Snow and ice removal

    Waste Management and Recycling

    • Solid waste removal from campus, and disposal
    • Recycling paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum
    • Recycling of household batteries (drop-off service at designated locations)
    • Recycling fluorescent light bulbs
    • Recycling of computers
    • Removal of recycled materials (paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum) from buildings' central locations
    • Remove recycled materials from campus grounds recycling containers
    • Furnish standard waste and recycling containers 

    Integrated Pest Management (IPC)

    • Routine inspection and application of all buildings 
    • Monthly treatment of dumpster holding areas 
    • Seasonal nuisance wildlife control 
    • Annual termite inspection of selected buildings 
    • Seasonal bird control

    Utilities 

    • Electric
    • Steam
    • Water
    • Sewer
    • Chilled water
    • Gas
    • Heating hot water 
  • Special Services

    In addition to services provided by VUMO based on the pre-determined level of Vice Chancellor funding for each budget year, VUMO offers as Special Services (previously known as fee for service) the following:

    1. Special event support
    2. Intra-campus moving for business purposes for more than two offices 
    3. Bio-hazardous waster removal - this service is provided through the Arts & Sciences Department and the School of Engineering in support of their hosted research programs 
    4. Art work installations 
    5. Maintenance and repair of specialized classroom or laboratory equipment, and other departmental property
    6. Fabrication of cabinets, shelves, signs, name tags, and other miscellaneous items; furniture repairs. 
    7. Asbestos abatement when part of a customer initiated renovation project
    8. Maintenance and repair of refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washers, dryers, ice machines, and customer installed water filters, microwaves 
    9. Uninterrupted power systems (UPS) in support of departmental needs 
    10.  Emergency generators in support of departmental needs
    11.  Renovations, improvement, alterations, and new construction 
    12.  Non routine painting 
    13.  Occupant damage
  • Custodial Services

    VUMO cleans with the goal of enhancing the health and general well-being of students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to utilizing sustainable products and processes. 

    To better serve the needs of the Vanderbilt schools and departments, Building Services provides custodial services using three work shifts:

    Shift                Schedule                          Period                    Type of Building

    1st                    5 am - 2 pm                      M-F                      Academic/Admin

                             6 am - 3 pm                      M-F                      Academic/Admin

                             8 am - 5 pm                      M - Sun                Residential 

    2nd                  2 pm - 10:30 pm               M-F                       Academic/Admin

                             6 pm - 10 pm                    M-F                       Academic/Admin

    3rd                   11 pm - 7:30 pm               Sun - Thu             Academic/Admin

    * Full-time staff                    **Part-time staff

    The custodial staff is led by Housekeeping Supervisors, responsible for supervising services of anywhere from 10-15 buildings. During the normal academic year, VUMO has a Housekeeping Supervisor on campus, both on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am through 5 pm who responds to incidents requiring custodial support, and oversee the weekend staff. 

    Services

    All areas within a building considered Common or Shared Spaces primarily in administrative and academic buildings.