By Terry Swalley, CSP
Many snow and ice management companies use facility site maps for complicated sites, or for those that require specific service, such as denoted areas to pile snow. But creating facility site maps for every property serviced as a standard practice can produce beneficial results.
Just as important as the physical document is the dialogue with the client that helps feed into its development.
The site map, when created during the bidding phase, helps to establish your expertise and gives both you and the customer a chance to define the scope of work.
The inclusion of site-specific notes aides in extending lines of communication to your client regarding the intricacies of a facility. A property manager or owner is more likely to know the areas prone to re-freeze, the most common tenant complaints, and other problems presented by the layout of the parking lots and sidewalks. These items can be noted and captured on a facility site map to ensure that the expectations are defined and easily accessible during a winter storm event.
Other information that can be summarized on a site map could include operational details and management preferences. Noting han-dicap parking stalls, handicap ramps and other relatively obvious areas can emphasize your attention to detail and make sure that your staff or subcontractors are not overlooking standard protocol.
After the creation of the facility site map, distributing it to all appropriate channels establishes a network of individuals who can accurately speak to the details of a facility, rather than just the person servicing the site during an event. Ensuring that the people on-site, dispatch, facility manager, facility maintenance/engineers, and executive staff of your organization all have easy access to the site map increases your likelihood of successful completion of services. Should an issue arise because of an oversight or the need to route a staff member unfamiliar with the facility, all parties can reference the same tool to make sure that the work performed exceeds client expectations.
You can usually obtain a facility map and photos from your point of contact at the property. If unavailable, tools such as Google Earth or other mapping programs can provide an aerial photograph that you can then mock-up and define parking lot and sidewalk areas.
Include your company logo and phone number on every map. Managers and owners share information, and your ability to brand your work product helps to establish your level of professionalism in snow and ice management.
Six tips for a successful site map
1. Clear aerial photograph of the facility
2. Clearly defined scope of work on parking lots and sidewalks
3. Incorporate notes on areas of high demand (e.g. handicapped parking stalls)
4. Incorporate notes from property manager/facility engineer (e.g. areas prone to refreeze)
5. Incorporate your company logo and phone number (identify where to call with questions)
6. Distribute to all employees and contacts who will be on site, the property manager and keep a file in the office in case of emergency.
Terry Swalley, CSP, is operations manager for BSR Services in St. Louis and a member of the Snow Business Editorial Advisory Board. Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
