FM newsroom – facility management, preventive maintenance. The holiday season may bring celebration and time off, but for facility managers it often brings a unique kind of pressure. Extended shutdowns, skeleton crews and cold temperatures can turn small oversights into major January headaches. A minor issue that would normally be caught in a day can escalate quickly when a facility sits idle for a week or more. Smart preparation is the only real safeguard.
Setting the Holiday Operating Plan
Every winter readiness strategy begins with understanding how the building will operate. Some facilities shut down entirely, others continue running essential systems, and a few host contractors for maintenance projects while staff are away. Once these decisions are made, maintenance teams can tailor their approach. A full shutdown requires careful preservation of equipment, while reduced operations demand extra reliability checks on the systems that stay online. Early alignment across operations, safety and maintenance ensures everyone knows which assets must remain active and which can be safely powered down.
Pre-Holiday Maintenance: The Crucial Window
The weeks leading into the holidays serve as the final opportunity to complete preventive maintenance, professionals at Terotam point out. This work should happen early, not during the last rushed shift. Replacing filters, draining lines, lubricating moving parts and inspecting for leaks all help protect equipment that will sit unused. Backup generators also need close attention, especially with winter storm risks. Facilities using condition-based monitoring should run one last review to catch developing faults before they turn into January surprises.
Protecting Idle Equipment
Machines that sit still for long periods are surprisingly vulnerable. Thorough cleaning helps prevent corrosion, pests and hardened residue. Applying rust inhibitors and using breathable covers protects sensitive components from moisture. In some facilities, briefly powering up control electronics helps keep systems stable. Cold-climate sites must ensure that water-based systems are insulated and that no “cold spots” threaten pipes. Idle time doesn’t need to be destructive if equipment is preserved properly.
Safety and Security During Low Occupancy
With fewer people on-site, safety systems become the facility’s primary line of defence. Fire detection, sprinklers, gas monitors, cameras, access controls and emergency lighting should all be tested and verified well before shutdown. Posting clear on-call contact details at entrances and control rooms ensures that any remaining staff can quickly reach the right person in the event of a problem.
Staffing, Communication and Holiday Coverage
Even with the lights dimmed, someone must always be reachable. Defining an on-call structure — and ensuring everyone has the access, tools and escalation paths they need — prevents small issues from escalating. Before heading out, staff should secure windows and doors, shut off personal appliances and report anything unusual. Strong communication now prevents confusion later.
Planning for a Smooth January Restart
A reliable startup plan ensures that the return after New Year’s isn’t spent troubleshooting preventable failures. A structured sequence — visual inspections, safe power-up steps, lubrication checks, sensor calibration and gradual test runs — helps equipment return to service safely. Assigning responsibility and allowing adequate time reduces the temptation to rush through critical checks.
Remembering the Human Element
The holiday season can be distracting, emotional and exhausting. That’s when mistakes happen most easily. Encouraging careful, measured work and recognising the extra effort teams invest in preparing a facility for shutdown supports better morale and safer outcomes. A well-prepared building is ultimately the result of people working thoughtfully, not just systems being serviced.
The holiday period should be a chance to rest — not a countdown to unexpected breakdowns. With early planning, thorough maintenance and clear communication, facility managers can step away with peace of mind and return to a facility that’s ready to run.