Lesson 1HVAC and central heating/cooling equipment: life expectancy, preventive maintenance and replacement indicatorsThis section covers central HVAC and heating/cooling systems, stressing lifespan, preventive care, efficiency drop, and failure signs that guide timing for big replacements and backup plans in capital budgets.
Equipment inventory, tonnage and nameplate dataExpected service life by equipment type and dutyPreventive maintenance scope, logs and gapsPerformance decline, comfort and noise complaintsEnd‑of‑life indicators, failures and risk scoringLesson 2Plumbing systems: risers, potable and waste piping, typical 25-year issues and leak detectionThis section reviews water supply, waste, and storm pipes, pointing out common aging issues, leak finding methods, and risk signs for planning riser changes, lining jobs, and emergency responses.
Domestic water, sanitary and storm system mappingPipe materials, ages and corrosion mechanismsChronic leaks, pinholes and repair historiesInspection tools, sensors and leak detection techRiser replacement planning and tenant impactsLesson 3Exterior walls, cladding and paint: materials, maintenance needs, moisture intrusion indicatorsThis section deals with outer walls, cladding, sealants, and paints, teaching how to spot distress, water entry paths, and energy effects, and prioritise fixes over full re-cladding in multi-year plans.
Wall system types, materials and service livesCracking, spalling, fastener and anchor concernsSealant joints, terminations and failure patternsPaint and coating adhesion, chalking and fadingMoisture intrusion signs, testing and monitoringLesson 4Windows, balcony doors and glazing systems: performance degradation, thermal issues, and safety standardsThis section looks at windows, balcony doors, and glass systems, explaining performance tests, air/water leaks, heat comfort, and safety rules, and evaluating replacement time versus targeted fixes and sealing.
Window and door types, ages and frame materialsAir and water leakage complaints and testingFogged units, seal failures and glass defectsThermal comfort, drafts and condensation issuesSafety glazing, guards and fall protection rulesLesson 5Roof systems: types, expected life cycles, condition grading (good/fair/poor) and failure risksThis section explains roof types, drainage, and details, and how to rate membrane state, insulation work, and leak past to grade roofs, predict remaining life, and plan phased changes before failures worsen.
Low‑slope, steep‑slope and specialty roof typesMembrane aging, blisters, splits and puncturesFlashings, terminations and penetration detailsRoof drainage, ponding and overflow provisionsLeak history, testing and replacement triggersLesson 6Electrical distribution: main panels, feeders, load capacity, code compliance and overcurrent protectionThis section checks electrical supply from entry to panels, focusing on capacity, equipment age, protection gear, and code fit, and how shortfalls affect safety risk, reliability, and upgrade order.
Service entrance, transformers and meteringMain switchgear age, condition and sparesPanelboards, feeders and load measurementsOvercurrent devices, coordination and labelingGrounding, bonding and arc‑flash risk reviewLesson 7Underground parking and garage waterproofing: slab and joint deterioration, drainage and structural concernsThis section handles underground parking and garage structures, stressing waterproofing, drainage, concrete wear, and structural shifts, and how defects guide repair plans, staging, and reserve funds.
Slab cracking, spalling and delamination mappingJoint sealant, waterstops and leakage pointsDrainage slopes, trench drains and sump systemsChloride exposure, corrosion and rebar damageStructural monitoring, shoring and repair optionsLesson 8Vertical transportation: elevator components, modernization triggers, inspection and testing requirementsThis section covers lifts and vertical transport, listing key parts, inspection/testing rules, reliability measures, and upgrade triggers for long-term budgeting and working with regulators.
Elevator types, drives, controllers and cabsRide quality, shutdown logs and reliability trendsCode inspections, tests and deficiency reportsSafety devices, entrapment and rescue proceduresModernization scope, phasing and tenant impactsLesson 9Outdoor spaces: path paving, site drainage, lighting, landscaping and small garden maintenanceThis section covers outside paths and landscapes, focusing on paving, drainage, lights, and plants, and how their condition, safety, and upkeep record shape long-term renewal plans and risks.
Inventory of walks, drives and hardscape areasPavement defects, trip hazards and surface ratingsSite drainage patterns, ponding and erosion risksExterior lighting levels, controls and dark spotsLandscape health, roots, heave and maintenanceLesson 10Interior common areas and finishes: flooring, lighting, accessibility, and surface renewalsThis section checks inside shared spaces like lobbies, corridors, amenity rooms, and finishes, linking wear, access gaps, and looks to renewal timing, budgets, and disruption plans in busy buildings.
Lobby and corridor finish inventories and agesFlooring wear, slip resistance and replacement cyclesWall, ceiling and trim damage, stains and repairsLighting quality, controls and energy considerationsAccessibility barriers, signage and hardware updatesLesson 11Fire protection systems: alarms, sprinklers, emergency lighting, means of egress and legal complianceThis section details fire safety parts from alarms and sprinklers to escape paths and emergency lights, explaining check cycles, condition ratings, code shortfalls, and life-safety risks.
Fire alarm panels, devices and testing recordsSprinkler coverage, corrosion and impairment risksStandpipes, hose cabinets and fire department accessEmergency lighting, exit signs and backup powerEgress routes, doors, hardware and code variances
