Engineering Department

Hotel ManagementHospitality Services

Responsibilities

The engineering department is responsible for the physical facilities of the hotel. Their job is to keep the facility in top condition for safety, guest satisfaction and profitability.

Curb Appeal

The facility must be maintained and nurtured just like the people inside! Curb appeal is the visual attractiveness of a building as seen from the street, a/k/a the Silent Salesperson!

Curb Appeal It is what often draws a guest into the

property. Once inside the furnishings and amenities invite them to stay.

Tasks of Engineering

The tasks of this department include: preventive maintenancerepairsdeep cleaninggroundskeepingcapital improvementsresource managementemergency preparedness

Maintenance vs. Repair

Maintenance is the repair and upkeep of the internal and external hotel structure and equipment.

Repairs can be costly, routine maintenance can prevent and delay repairs.

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning involves extra time and equipment. It is usually done every 3 months in guest rooms and public areas. Housekeeping and Engineering depts. work together to schedule and accomplish deep cleaning tasks.

Deep Cleaning Equipment

Groundskeeping

Groundskeeping is the maintenance and upkeep of the facility grounds and landscape.

Capital Improvements

Capital improvement is the process by which a hotel undergoes renovation.

Resource management

Resource management is basically costs control and conservation of natural resources.

Functions of engineering

The functions of engineering are performed in the following five areas: building systems building and equipment guest rooms public areas recreational equipment grounds

Engineering Dept. Goals

What does the crew do??

The crew must maintain the electrical, ventilation, kitchen equipment, parking lot and hotel entrance, swimming pools/hot tubs, exercise equipment, elevators and escalators, roof, walls and floors, heating/cooling, water, phone, computer and other systems.

Engineering Tool Closet

Who is the crew?

The staff will include a chief engineer, skilled technicians such as plumbers and electricians, and maintenance workers.

Maintenance staff needs to know how to do minor repairs, basic electrical work, basic plumbing, equipment repairs and structural repairs.

Skills and Abilities

They must be competent with common power tools and safety. Some engineering depts. are responsible for maintenance and repair of motorized vehicles, such a vans and riding lawn mowers.

Hours of Operation

Just like the Front Desk and Housekeeping, Engineering is open and working 24 hours a day!

How big is the department?

The size of this department is dependant upon the size of the property. A large resort property might several buildings, one or more swimming pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and other facilities. This type of large property usually has a large engineering department.

Daily Responsibilities

Engineering staff checking PMS

To the HVAC system & Water softener system

Preventive Maintenance

Hotel engineers maintain many parts of the facility by implementing a preventive maintenance program, (pms). A preventive maintenance program is structured so that engineers constantly inspect and monitor various aspects of a hotel to ensure that all items are in working order.

Preventive Maintenance

These programs help find small problems before they become bigger and more costly problems. Some manufacturers provide guidelines for proper maintenance of the equipment (similar to routine oil changes in a car every 3000 miles).

Poolside Handicapped Lift

Routine Inspections

Routine inspections of the facilities help identify signs of wear and tear that could result in a breakdown, allow comparison to previous repair records and provide evidence that routine maintenance did occur.

Lock out/Tag out

Purchasing

When new equipment is needed, engineering is responsible for researching, getting bids, and choosing the best equipment for the purpose and price. They

also work with insurance companies when claims

are filed.

Engineering works very closely with housekeeping in maintaining the quality of the physical guest room.

Housekeepers are required to report

problems with a guest room to engineering for repair.

Front desk staff is responsible for reporting problems in the public area and lobby.

The banquet/event staff is responsible for reporting problem areas in the banquet and event rooms.

Director of Engineering

The Director of Engineering (DOE) position requires a four-year university degree along with work experience in managing costs, staff and departmental operations. Many people begin their facilities management career as entry-level employees while in school.

EOD

Engineer on Duty (EOD) is the crew member assigned that day to a particular task. EODs are assigned different tasks, such as pool maintenance or repair, painting walls, etc.

Example Situation

A room attendant reports a leaky shower faucet in room #2345 to Engineering. The DOE creates a work order and schedules a EOD to repair the faucet. Once repaired, the DOE inspects the work of the EOD and reports to Housekeeping and Front Desk the faucet has been repaired and the room is ready for resale

Profit Loss

When a guest room is not available due to maintenance or repair needed, profit is lost. Therefore the DOE must have a system in place for fast, efficient repair and maintenance.

OHSA Materials

OHSA

Occupational Health and Safety Administration is a Federal govt. agency that ensures worker safety. Published materials must be displayed for access by all employees, posters describing worker safety must be displayed, etc.

Emergency Preparedness Plan

This department is responsible for the hotel’s emergency planning process and implementation. The goal of emergency planning is to ensure guest and employee safety, security, and comfort during a wide variety of emergency situations.

Shelter in Place??

In certain emergencies such as a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, power outage, or toxic chemical spill or terrorism guests and employees may need to Shelter in Place

or be evacuated to a safer location.

Backup Plans

During emergency situations it is possible to lose power or communication abilities. So properties must have backup generators for power, fuel supplies and an emergency communication system.

These three (power, fuel supplies and the emergency communication system) need to be routinely inspected to ensure they are ready to be used at any time.

Joke

A guest comment card entry concerning the hotel’s condition stated: “the manager promised that I wouldn’t find a single flea in my bed. He was right; they were all married with families!”