Choosing the right service provider to commission or install ventilation systems, whether natural, mechanical or smoke, is essential to obtain a system that works optimally. There are several experts to choose from in any given area, and your choice will largely depend on your needs and the specialty of the company.
There are many companies that specialize in a particular type of ventilation system, such as smoke ventilation, but there are also generalists, with a team of experts who are experts in commissioning and installing the different types. Anyone thinking of hiring, ask the following four questions to determine if they are a good fit for your project.
First, check with the company to see how many years of experience they have installing or commissioning the particular type of system you want to install. Experience is an important part of being able to design and install a system that is perfectly suited to the needs of your building, so verify that the experts you are considering hiring can deliver in this area.
Rather than just having expertise in a specific domain, such as natural or smoke ventilation, look for service providers who have completed projects in buildings like yours. If you own a student block of flats, look for a provider that has already done and successfully completed these types of projects.
The next question to ask yourself is how the company handles project management. The reason for this is that problems can often arise when there are misunderstandings between the customer and the company doing the installation work. The best companies, however, will be aware that this type of problem occurs, and will have developed a strategy to overcome it.
In particular, ask how they intend to ensure there are no misunderstandings and how they can ensure that particular specifications are met. When making your selection, choose the company that can explain its particular approach and how past experience has led your team to adopt it.
The third question to ask yourself is whether or not the company provides full training along with the commissioning or installation of the natural, mechanical, or smoke ventilation system. This is important, as management will pass to the building owner or manager at a later stage, and certain legal requirements must be met.
Often companies will provide full training on how to keep a log book and schedule maintenance checks, but be careful to check what exactly is included in the service; training may be extra cost to install and deliver.
Fourth, ask whether or not the company has a stock of different ventilation equipment to meet your needs. For generalist ventilation installation companies, they will often have a large number of different items in stock to cater to the broader customer base. They are also likely to have contact with international suppliers who will be able to deliver specialized products.
Since the efficiency of your system will depend in part on the quality of the equipment, knowing what the installing company offers and why is important in assessing whether or not it is the right company to work for.
When you’re considering hiring a company to commission or install ventilation systems on your property, these are just four of the questions to ask yourself before making the final decision on who to hire.
Experience is incredibly important, as is the ability to be able to meet your very specific needs. The service provider you choose should also be able to demonstrate how project management is handled efficiently and let you know how much their training and maintenance services cost, as well as commissioning and installation of your ventilation system.
