Commercial painting projects can be complicated to manage along with all of the other daily tasks business owners have to handle. Large painting projects need to be carefully planned in order to avoid costly disruptions for both employees and customers. Considering the scope of the project, budgeting, and selecting the best time of year to complete a painting project are just a few important considerations for commercial property owners.
Guidelines for a Safe Painting Project
With any commercial remodeling project, the health and safety of employees and customers are always the top priority. There are several things business owners can do to ensure their facility remains safe during an interior or exterior painting project.
1. Hire An Experienced Commercial Paint Contractor
Due to the challenges that are involved with painting a commercial facility, take the time to find the best painting contractor for your specific project. Hire professionals with the right certifications, equipment, and experience to ensure that the job is done safely and without incident. Commercial painters will provide their own ladders, scaffolding, harnesses, and other safety equipment to ensure a safe work site.
2. Make Sure Your Contractor is Insured
It’s important to hire a painting contractor that is licensed (if applicable) and insured. A reputable painting company will make sure its workers are protected with proper insurance. This means that if someone gets hurt on the job, you won’t be liable for paying their medical expenses. In addition, painting contractors should carry general liability insurance. This ensures that property owners are not responsible for any damage caused by painting crews.
3. Communicate with Everyone
Alert customers, tenants, and/or employees well in advance to prepare them for what to expect with an upcoming painting project. Be sure to notify regular vendors, cleaning crews, and anyone else who regularly visits your facility. You may need to make special accommodations for deliveries and pickups during large painting projects.
4. Schedule to Minimize Disruptions
Professionals in the commercial painting industry understand the importance of flexibility and are usually able to develop a schedule and timeline that minimizes disruptions to normal business operations. If you only need a small area painted, your painters may be able to complete the job over the weekend or during off-hours. Larger projects will likely require more creative scheduling.
5. Protect Anything You Don’t Want Painted
For interior jobs, furniture and equipment should be removed or placed in the center of rooms and covered with drop cloths to protect against paint splatters. Exterior painting projects follow the same procedures. Drop cloths should be used to cover landscaping, parked vehicles, and other surfaces from paint splatter. Make sure that your contract details who is responsible for removing or covering items.
6. Manage the Flow of Traffic
Customers and employees should be able to safely enter and exit your facility. Avoid accidents and confusion by putting up large, easy to read signs that indicate:
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Entrances/exits
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Detours
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Parking areas
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Restricted areas
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Easy access routes for emergency vehicles
If your business will remain open during the project, make sure caution tape, barriers, and signs are used to direct people safely around both interior and exterior areas while they are being painted.
7. Maintain Good Indoor Air Quality
Maintaining indoor air quality is crucial for painting projects that take place during operating hours and/or in occupied areas. Some individuals are sensitive to the chemicals in paint products. Choose commercial paints that meet LEED standards and are low- or no-VOC, ensuring that they are safe to use in interior spaces.
8. Provide Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is important especially if solvent-based paints are being used. According to the National Capital Poison Center, exposure to fumes from solvent paints can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Opening windows and doors and using fans or other devices to keep fresh air circulating throughout the space helps remove odors and chemicals, reducing the health hazards paint products can pose.
9. Avoid Fire Hazards
Some paints and solvents are flammable, so they should be stored in a cool, secure place away from heat sources. Rags that have paint thinner on them should be left to dry outside on a non-combustible surface or properly disposed of each day. Professional painters will make sure that paints, solvents, and equipment are safely stored at the end of each work day.
Hire a Painting Contractor with an Excellent Safety Record
Working with an experienced commercial painting contractor is the best way to ensure that your next project is handled safely and efficiently. We place a high priority on safety for our employees and our clients Our team of painting professionals has handled numerous commercial projects both large and small, and we’re ready to help you transform your property with a high-quality paint job.
In business since 1985, Adam Roe Painting will provide the highest quality results and best customer service in the industry. We offer custom color matching, a residential exterior warranty of 5 years, and a one-year warranty on commercial and industrial projects. We look forward to working with you.
