Facility management for retail parks

Author . Róbert Harton, Network Project Manager, ENGIE Services

Provision of services Facility management for retail parks is specific from the point of view of ensuring the operation and continuity of shops. As tenants are dependent on footfall in their retail outlets, even a minor disruption can cause complications and losses. It is therefore important that park owners choose a reliable partner to manage their facilities.

Specifics of retail parks from the perspective of Facility Management

Retail parks are also specific in terms of the architectural design of the commercial establishments and, as they are usually located in an open area, also in terms of their public accessibility. The single-storey buildings have flat roofs with large and articulated footprints. This can now be used in different ways – for planting greenery (green roofs) or for the location of photovoltaic panels. It is the roofs of retail parks that require more care and maintenance, as their lifespan is often relatively short due to the use of inferior materials. In case of neglected maintenance or technical obsolescence, for example, a comprehensive replacement of the roofing membrane is necessary to prevent leakage into the tenanted premises during rainy days.

It’s not just the roof that deserves special attention in terms of servicing. In retail parks, automatic shop doors are one of the most important technical devices. They are located in every shop and serve as the entrance to the shop. They are therefore crucial for the smooth running of the store. It is the task of the manager to ensure that they are serviced regularly and that any malfunctions are dealt with as quickly as possible.

Even parking lots in retail parks, which at first glance may appear to be maintenance-free, require regular care. One of the things that need to be addressed within car parks is the collection and export of oil and grease, via grease traps. These facilities have a regular, statutory cleaning and waste removal regime. Trapped substances from the separator are taken to certified hazardous waste landfill sites and the tanks themselves are cleaned regularly. But it is not just the leachate collection facilities that need to be addressed as part of the management of the car park.

Retail park
Retail park

Comprehensive services from a single supplier

Retail fleet care can be handled through the delivery of services from multiple business partners or a comprehensive offering from a single supplier. Given our many years of experience, I am convinced that the second option is more efficient for the park owner, not only in terms of time and energy savings, but also in terms of costs.

Comprehensive Facility Management services cover a number of areas, which are broadly divided into technical (facility) and administrative (property). It is gradually becoming standard to combine them into one comprehensive service, thus simplifying communication between facility owners, service providers and tenants themselves. The result is a more efficient operation, reduced costs and thus greater competitiveness of the facility itself.

Important facility areas in this segment include the care of technical equipment. As I mentioned before, retail parks are specific to the large movement of people during the day. The servicing of fire equipment is therefore a priority. An electronic fire suppression system (EPS) is installed in each building, which is automatically fed to our Central Dispatch 24/7 with remote monitoring. In addition to the fire risk, the EPS is also used to secure the premises against intrusion by unauthorised persons, as the Central Dispatch is also linked to the security service.

Other technical facilities that are part of retail parks and whose technical operation and maintenance is provided by the administrator include, for example, heat sources, air conditioning, air conditioning, heating and cooling systems, electrical wiring (LV, HV, public lighting) and MaR.

Facility management services for retail parks also include maintenance of greenery, cleaning and extermination services, and winter maintenance of outdoor areas (parking lots, sidewalks, driveways).During the coronavirus pandemic, ozonization of store premises was added to the standard services, which contributes to improving the safety of the environment.

The advantage of a single Facility Management vendor with a broad portfolio is that it can also offer services to park owners energy management. This not only helps to make park operations more efficient, but also reduces energy costs, which is currently a significant competitive advantage with their continuous growth.

In recent years, as the use of electric vehicles has increased, so have the requirements for the provision of charging stations in car parks. In the context of electromobility, today the supplier can prepare the design of the solution, supply and install the charging station and ensure its subsequent maintenance, servicing and repairs.

Retail park
Retail park

ENGIE Services – supplier of comprehensive solutions for FM

ENGIE Services has been operating in the Facility Management segment for more than 25 years. During this period we have cooperated with the largest shopping centres in Slovakia. Currently, among other projects in this area, we provide services Facility management for approximately 30 retail parks.

One of our biggest competitive advantages is our nationwide coverage. Through our own expert teams, we can seamlessly deliver operations and respond flexibly to tenant requirements in all regions.

The digitalisation of Facility Management is a priority for ENGIE and development in this area is one of our strategic goals. As a result, we are currently actively using several software platforms. One of them is the comprehensive CAFM system, which allows us to record all activities related to the operation of retail parks – maintenance, servicing, emergency interventions. It has been in use at ENGIE for several years and our teams work with it on a daily basis. Of course, the CAFM system includes a HelpDesk, which is also actively used by our clients, who enter their requirements into it and monitor their fulfilment in real time. In addition, we use the new software for passporting, thanks to which we have an overview of all technical equipment on the premises and their planned maintenance and servicing.

Why choose ENGIE for retail park management? In addition to the above, it is certainly for the comprehensiveness of the service portfolio it offers. ENGIE has the opportunity to get to know the real needs of the client and offer the most suitable solutions, which, thanks to its broad portfolio, can also be professionally implemented.

Engie