Guides · United Kingdom
Guides for cleaning, security and premises teams
Practical help with the checks, records and reports that keep a building running, written for the people who do the work and the people who answer for it.
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Cleaning 30 guides
CleaningBICS cleaning: what BICSc training is, and what it showsWhat the British Institute of Cleaning Science is, how its Licence to Practice, skills units and certificates work, and what employers and clients use them for.
CleaningCare home cleaning: the schedule, the checks and the evidence CQC asks forCare home cleaning in the UK: the law, what the schedule must cover, equipment, spills and laundry, who does what, and the evidence CQC and other regulators ask for.
CleaningCleaning colour coding: the four colours, whose scheme they are, and how to keep to themThe UK cleaning colour code: red, blue, green and yellow, the NHS scheme, what BICSc says outside healthcare, what COSHH does not say, and how to check it.
CleaningCleaning contract mobilisation: from contract award to a settled serviceHow to mobilise a new cleaning contract: the mobilisation plan, TUPE, site assessment, COSHH and induction, day one, and the first weeks of audits.
CleaningCleaning KPIs: what to measure, and how to know the figures are trueThe cleaning KPIs worth measuring, how to define and target them, how to report them, and how a KPI can look green while the building is not clean.
CleaningCleaning management software: what it covers, and how to chooseWhat cleaning management software covers, from scheduling and rostering to audits, task proof and client reporting, and how to choose the right mix.
CleaningCleaning quality control: how to inspect, correct and prove the standardHow quality control works in commercial cleaning: QA versus QC, setting standards, running inspections, corrective action and a record that holds up.
CleaningCleaning service level agreement: what to include, and how to show it is metWhat a cleaning SLA should contain, how to set service levels and response times, service credits and escalation, and how to show the service was delivered.
CleaningCleaning sign-off sheet: who signs it, and what a signature meansWhat a cleaning sign-off sheet should record in kitchens, food areas, rooms and end-of-clean handovers, who should sign it, and what each signature proves.
CleaningCleaning specification: what it should say, and how to show it is metWhat a cleaning specification should contain, input and output standards, setting frequencies by area, and how to show the specification is being delivered.
CleaningCleaning standards in the UK: a map, and how to chooseA map of UK cleaning standards: NHS cleanliness standards, the NHSScotland specification, BS EN 13549, BICSc, CQC and food hygiene law, and how to choose.
CleaningCleaning supervisor duties: what the role involves, and what good looks likeWhat a cleaning supervisor does: the main duties, a typical shift, health and safety, managing the team, checking the work and reporting to the client.
CleaningCommercial cleaning checklist: area by area, and how to use itA commercial cleaning checklist for offices and shared premises, area by area, with how to use it on shift, what to record and how a supervisor checks it.
CleaningCommunal area cleaning: what it covers, how often, and how to show it was doneWhat communal area cleaning should cover in blocks of flats and shared buildings, how often, who pays through the service charge, and how to show it was done.
CleaningContract cleaning tender: how to run one as the buyerRunning a contract cleaning tender as the buyer: the tender pack, site visits, TUPE, evaluating quality and price, the Procurement Act 2023 and mobilisation.
CleaningCOSHH assessment: the five steps, and the checks that keep it trueWhat a COSHH assessment is, the five steps, what to record for cleaning products, how to keep a COSHH register, and the checks that keep the controls working.
CleaningEHO inspection checklist: what the food safety officer checks, and the records behind itWhat an EHO checks on a UK food hygiene inspection, the records to have ready, how the 0 to 5 rating is worked out, and what happens after the visit.
CleaningGym cleaning checklist: equipment, changing rooms and wet areasA gym cleaning checklist for gyms and leisure centres: equipment, studios, touch points, changing rooms and poolside areas, with frequencies and who does what.
CleaningHotel housekeeping checklist: a room ready for the next guestA practical UK hotel housekeeping checklist for checkout rooms, stayovers and public areas, with safe methods, inspection points and a usable room record.
CleaningHow to win cleaning contracts, and keep themHow UK cleaning contracts are bought, what buyers look for, how to write a tender response that scores, how to price it, and how to keep the contract.
CleaningHygiene audit: what is checked, who does it, and what happens nextHow hygiene and infection prevention audits work in care, healthcare, schools and food areas: what is audited, by whom, how it is scored and what follows.
CleaningOffice cleaning schedule: what to clean, how often, and how to show it was doneWhat an office cleaning schedule should cover, which tasks are daily, weekly, monthly or periodic, who does what, and how to show the schedule is being kept.
CleaningPublic toilet cleaning: frequencies, safety and accessibilityRunning public toilets for councils, parks, stations and venues: cleaning frequencies at peak, needles and vandalism, accessible and Changing Places toilets.
CleaningRestaurant cleaning checklist: daily work and a useful recordA UK restaurant cleaning checklist for kitchen and front of house, with daily, weekly and periodic tasks, safe cleaning methods and a worked cleaning record.
CleaningRetail cleaning checklist: shop floors, fitting rooms and spillsA retail cleaning checklist for shops: entrances, sales floors, fitting rooms, customer toilets and stockrooms, with slips, spill response and who checks it.
CleaningSchool cleaning checklist: what to clean, how often, and how to show it was doneA school cleaning checklist for classrooms, toilets, corridors, dining hall and changing rooms, with daily, weekly and holiday tasks and how to record them.
CleaningSlips and trips: the law, the causes, and the record that shows the floor was safeSlips and trips at work in the UK: the law on floors and spills, the causes, the risk assessment, wet floor signs, and the cleaning record a slip claim turns on.
CleaningStudent accommodation cleaning: halls, flats and the summer turnaroundCleaning halls of residence and purpose-built student accommodation: shared kitchens, bathrooms, corridors, room inspections and the end-of-term turnaround.
CleaningToilet check sheet: what to record and how to make it credibleWhat a toilet check sheet should record, how often to check toilets and urinals, the legal duty behind it, and how to keep a record a client will believe.
CleaningWarehouse cleaning checklist: clear routes and recorded workA warehouse cleaning checklist for UK sites: immediate, daily and periodic tasks, safe work around vehicles, welfare areas and a usable completed-work record.
Security patrols 12 guides
Security patrolsSecurity assignment instructions: what they should say, and how to keep them workingSecurity assignment instructions (AIs): what they should include, who agrees and signs them, how often to review them, and how to check they are followed.
Security patrolsCCTV maintenance checklist: check the picture and the recordingA CCTV maintenance checklist for UK premises: check camera views, recording, time, access and retention, record faults, and separate operator checks from servicing.
Security patrolsDaily occurrence book: what to record, and how to keep one that stands upDaily occurrence book (DOB): what to record, how to write entries that stand up, how it differs from an incident report, and paper or digital.
Security patrolsGuard tour systems: how they work, what they prove, and how to choose oneHow guard tour systems record security patrols – wands, RFID, NFC, QR codes, GPS apps – what the data shows and does not, and what to ask before choosing one.
Security patrolsKey holding: nominated keyholders, alarm response and keeping control of keysKey holding explained: nominated keyholders for alarms, contract keyholding and alarm response, SIA licensing, and keeping control of keys with an audit trail.
Security patrolsLockdown procedure: planning a lockdown, running it and practising it with a drillHow to write and run a lockdown procedure in a UK school or workplace: full, partial and dynamic lockdown, the steps, the drill and what Martyn's Law will add.
Security patrolsMartyn's Law: who it applies to, what each tier must do, and how to show it is in placeMartyn's Law explained: who is in scope, the standard and enhanced tiers, the four procedures, the SIA's powers and the records that show it is working.
Security patrolsMobile security patrols: what you are buying, and how to know you got itWhat a mobile security patrol service includes, when it suits a site, what to agree in the contract, SIA licensing, and how to know each visit happened.
Security patrolsSecurity officer duties and responsibilities: what the role involves, and how it is checkedSecurity officer duties in the UK: licensing, patrols, access control, incidents and reporting, what officers cannot do, and how duties are set and checked.
Security patrolsSecurity officer report: what to write, and how to make it stand upThe reports a UK security officer writes on shift – incident, patrol, handover – what each should record, and how to write one that stands up later.
Security patrolsSecurity patrols: how to plan them, run them and show they happenedHow to plan and run security patrols on a site: routes and checkpoints, how often and when, what officers look for, how to record each patrol and hand over.
Security patrolsSite security checklist: what to check, how often, and how to show it was doneSite security checklist for UK construction sites and business premises: perimeter, access, lighting, CCTV, alarms, keys, and how to record the checks.
Fire and water checks 25 guides
Fire and water checksAOV testing: the monthly check, the annual service and the recordHow often automatic opening vents (AOVs) are tested, what the monthly check and the annual service cover, the law behind them, and what the record should show.
Fire and water checksCommunal fire door checks in blocks of flatsWhat the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require of communal fire doors and flat entrance doors, who carries out the checks, and how to record them.
Fire and water checksDry riser testing: the inspection, the annual test and the recordHow often a dry riser is inspected and tested, what the six-monthly check and the annual pressure test cover under BS 9990, and the monthly check in high-rise flats.
Fire and water checksEmergency lighting log book: what to record, and how oftenWhat an emergency lighting log book should record, the monthly and annual tests BS 5266-1 recommends, who does each, and how to keep the record credible.
Fire and water checksEvacuation chairs: the duty behind them, the checks, servicing and trainingWhen a building needs an evacuation chair, what the law says, the routine check, servicing and training, and how to keep a record that shows the chair is ready.
Fire and water checksFire door checks: what a routine check looks atFire door checks in any building: gaps, seals, closers, hinges, glazing and signs, how often to check, and when to call a fire door inspector.
Fire and water checksFire door inspection: what the inspector checks, and what happens nextFire door inspection: what a survey by a competent inspector covers, how often doors should be inspected, the certification schemes, and remedial work.
Fire and water checksFire drill procedure: planning, running and recording a fire drillHow to plan and run a fire drill in a UK workplace, how often the guidance says to hold one, what the law requires, and what the fire drill record should show.
Fire and water checksFire extinguisher checks: the monthly check and the annual serviceWhat a monthly fire extinguisher check looks at, what the annual service by a competent person covers under BS 5306-3, and how to keep a record that stands up.
Fire and water checksFire marshal checklist: the daily and weekly checks, and the job in an evacuationWhat a fire marshal or fire warden checks each day and week, their duties in an evacuation, the law behind the role, and how to keep a record that stands up.
Fire and water checksFire risk assessment: what the law requires, the five steps, and what the record must showWho must have a fire risk assessment, the five steps, what the written record must hold since October 2023, who can carry one out and when it must be reviewed.
Fire and water checksFire safety checks in the workplace: what to check, how often, and who does itThe routine fire safety checks a UK workplace needs, from daily escape routes to the weekly alarm test, who does each one, and what the record should show.
Fire and water checksThe Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: what each building must doFire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 explained: what responsible persons must do in blocks of flats of every height, over 11 metres, and 18 metres or more.
Fire and water checksFire safety in care homes: the law, the routine checks and the drillsFire safety in UK care homes: who is responsible, horizontal evacuation, the daily to annual checks, night-time drills and the records the law and guidance expect.
Fire and water checksFire safety log book: what to record, who keeps it and for how longWhat a fire safety log book should contain, from alarm tests to drills and servicing, who keeps it, how long for, and whether paper or digital is better.
Fire and water checksFire stopping: keeping compartment walls and floors wholeWhat fire stopping is, the UK law behind it, who can install and certify it, how compartmentation gets breached, and the penetration record a building should keep.
Fire and water checksHot work permits: the permit, the checklist and the fire watchWhat a hot work permit is, the UK law and guidance behind it, what the permit and checklist cover, how long the fire watch lasts, and how to show it was kept.
Fire and water checksLegionella checks: the routine monitoring, and the record that shows it was doneThe routine legionella checks in hot and cold water systems under HSE's L8 and HSG274: flushing, temperatures, who does them and what the record should show.
Fire and water checksLegionella risk assessment: what the law asks for, and what has to follow itWhen a legionella risk assessment is required under L8 and COSHH, what it covers, who can carry it out, when to review it and the records the written scheme needs.
Fire and water checksPersonal emergency evacuation plans: who needs one, what goes in it, and keeping it trueWhat a PEEP is, when the law requires one at work and in high-rise flats, how to write and review it, and the checks the plan depends on.
Fire and water checksSafety signs: what the law requires, from fire exit signs to warning signsWhich safety signs and fire exit signs UK premises need, the law and standards behind them, where they go, and how to check they stay correct and legible.
Fire and water checksTMV testing: the temperature check, the fail-safe test and how often to do themTMV testing in UK buildings: the temperature check and fail-safe test, how often a thermostatic mixing valve is tested, who does it and what the record shows.
Fire and water checksTR19 kitchen extract cleaning: the intervals, the report and the daily filtersWhat TR19 Grease asks of a kitchen extract: a specialist clean every 3, 6 or 12 months by hours of use, the post-clean report, and daily canopy and filter cleaning.
Fire and water checksWaking watch: running the patrols, and showing they happenedWhat a waking watch is, when the NFCC guidance allows one, who can do it, how the patrols are planned and checked, what it costs, who pays, and the records to keep.
Fire and water checksWeekly fire alarm test: how to do it, and what to recordHow to do a weekly fire alarm test: rotating manual call points, what to write in the log book, and what only a competent person can do under BS 5839-1.
Premises and facilities management 45 guides
Premises and facilities managementAccident book: who must keep one, what goes in it, and how to keep it lawfullyWho must keep an accident book in the UK, what each entry must record, whether it can be online, how long to keep it, and how to handle it under UK GDPR.
Premises and facilities managementAsbestos register: what it records, who keeps it, and how it stays liveWhat an asbestos register must record under the duty to manage, how it fits the management plan, how often it is checked and reviewed, and who must see it.
Premises and facilities managementBuilding compliance checklist: the statutory picture for a UK buildingBuilding compliance checklist for UK non-domestic buildings: fire, electrical, gas, water, asbestos, lifts, access and energy, who is responsible, how often.
Premises and facilities managementBuilding maintenance checklist: what to check, how often, and who byA building maintenance checklist for UK non-domestic buildings: daily to annual tasks for fabric, services, safety systems and grounds, and who does each.
Premises and facilities managementBuilding manager responsibilities: the duties, the daily work and the recordWhat a building manager is responsible for in UK commercial and residential buildings: legal duties, daily work, contractors and the records that prove it.
Premises and facilities managementCAFM system: what it does, and how to choose and implement oneWhat a CAFM system is and does, how it differs from a CMMS or IWMS, how to choose and implement one, and what it will not fix on its own.
Premises and facilities managementCaretaker duties: what the job involves, and how to show it was doneCaretaker duties in halls, churches, offices, flats and schools: opening and locking, routine checks, minor repairs, cleaning and working alone safely.
Premises and facilities managementConcierge duties: what a building concierge does, and how the work is shownBuilding concierge duties in the UK: front of house, visitors, parcels, keys, rounds and faults, when an SIA licence applies, and how the work is recorded.
Premises and facilities managementDefibrillator checks: how to keep a workplace AED ready, and show that it isHow to check a workplace defibrillator in the UK: the weekly status check, pads and battery expiry, the cabinet and signs, The Circuit, and keeping a record.
Premises and facilities managementFacilities helpdesk: what it does, and how to run one wellWhat a facilities helpdesk does, how it logs, prioritises and closes jobs, the people and systems behind it, and how to tell whether it is working.
Premises and facilities managementFacilities management contract: what to put in it, and how to make it workWhat goes into a facilities management contract: scope, specifications, payment, KPIs and deductions, TUPE, mobilisation and exit, and the NEC4 standard form.
Premises and facilities managementFacilities management KPIs: how to choose them, and how to keep them honestHow to choose facilities management KPIs across services: examples, input and outcome measures, data sources, definitions, and avoiding perverse incentives.
Premises and facilities managementFacilities management monthly report: what to include, and what makes it believableWhat an FM monthly report should contain: compliance, planned and reactive maintenance, KPIs, health and safety, costs, and the evidence behind them.
Premises and facilities managementFacilities management SLA: setting service levels across FM servicesHow to write a facilities management SLA: helpdesk response and fix times, planned maintenance, cleaning and security standards, KPIs and reporting.
Premises and facilities managementFacilities manager responsibilities: what the role covers, and how to show it is doneWhat a facilities manager is responsible for across services and sites: compliance, contractors, budgets, space, health and safety, and reporting.
Premises and facilities managementFault reporting system: how faults are reported, prioritised and closedHow a fault reporting system for a building should work: how occupants report faults, how facilities teams log and prioritise them, and how a fault is closed.
Premises and facilities managementFirst aid kit checklist: what goes in a workplace first aid box, and how to keep it stockedWhat should be in a first aid box at work in the UK, from HSE's suggested contents to BS 8599-1, and how often to check, restock and record each kit.
Premises and facilities managementFixed wire testing: what the law requires, how often, and what the EICR tells youWhat fixed wire testing is, what the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require, how often a commercial building needs an EICR, the codes, and what to keep.
Premises and facilities managementFridge temperature log: the limits, the daily reading, and what to do when it is outKeeping a fridge temperature log in a UK kitchen, care home or surgery: the 8°C and 2°C to 8°C limits, how often to check, and what to do when a reading is out.
Premises and facilities managementThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: who owes what in a buildingWhat the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires: employers, people in control of premises, contractors and employees, enforcement, fines and evidence.
Premises and facilities managementHealth and safety inspection checklist: what to look at, and what to do nextHow to run a workplace health and safety inspection: the legal basis, what to walk and look at, how often, recording findings and actions, and involving staff.
Premises and facilities managementHSE inspections: what to expect when a health and safety inspector callsWhat happens on an HSE or council health and safety inspection, the records an inspector can ask to see, fee for intervention, notices and appeals.
Premises and facilities managementHSG179: what HSE expects of anyone running a swimming poolWhat HSE's HSG179 asks of a pool operator: the NOP and EAP, supervision set by risk assessment, the routine checks, water testing frequency and the records to keep.
Premises and facilities managementLadder inspection: the daily check, the recorded inspection, and the tag that shows itLadder inspection in the UK: the daily pre-use check, the recorded detailed visual inspection, a checklist, how often, who is competent, and ladder tagging.
Premises and facilities managementLOLER inspection: the thorough examination, the report, and the checks in betweenLOLER inspection in the UK: the 6 and 12 month thorough examination of lifts and lifting equipment, who can do it, the report, defects and the checks in between.
Premises and facilities managementLone working policy: what the law asks for, and what to put in itWhat a lone working policy must cover in Great Britain: the law, the risk assessment, check-in procedures, an outline to adapt and a record of who went where, when.
Premises and facilities managementManaging agent responsibilities in residential block managementWhat a managing agent does for a block of flats in England and Wales: service charges, the RICS code, repairs, fire safety in common parts, and records.
Premises and facilities managementNear miss reporting: what counts, what to record, and what happens nextNear miss reporting explained: what counts as a near miss, when one must go to HSE, what a near miss report form records, and how to get people to report.
Premises and facilities managementOpening and closing checks: the kitchen, the bar and the shop floorThe SFBB opening and closing checks for kitchens, what to add for a bar or shop, the fire exit checks at opening, and how the daily diary and 4-weekly review work.
Premises and facilities managementPAT testing: what the law requires, how often, and who can do itWhat PAT testing is, what the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require, how often to check and test each kind of equipment, who can do it, and what to record.
Premises and facilitiesPest control report: what each visit must record, and the checks between visitsWhat a UK pest control report records after each visit, the rules and codes behind it, how the inspection works, and the records a site keeps between visits.
Premises and facilities managementPlanned preventative maintenance: how to plan it and prove it was donePlanned preventative maintenance (PPM): what it is, how to build an asset register and schedule, statutory versus discretionary tasks, and what PPM records show.
Premises and facilities managementPlayground inspection: the three levels of check, who does them, and the recordPlayground inspection in the UK: the legal duty, BS EN 1176-7, routine, operational and annual inspections, who carries them out, and what the record should show.
Premises and facilities managementPremises manager: what the job involves, and how to run it wellWhat a premises manager does in a college, charity, housing provider or trust: the compliance calendar, contractors, security, budgets and reporting.
Premises and facilities managementPUWER inspection: what regulation 6 requires, who inspects, and what to recordPUWER inspection in the UK: when regulation 6 requires one, who can carry it out, how often, a PUWER checklist for the record, and the checks around it.
Premises and facilities managementRacking inspection: who checks pallet racking, how often, and what to recordRacking inspection in the UK: the PUWER duty, HSG76's three levels, a weekly checklist, red, amber and green damage, SEMA expert inspections and the records to keep.
Premises and facilities managementReactive maintenance: how to run it well, and keep it in proportionHow to run reactive maintenance in a UK building: priorities and response times, the balance with planned work, costs, contractors and closing the loop.
Premises and facilities managementRIDDOR reporting: what must be reported, by when, and by whomRIDDOR reporting explained: the reportable injuries, the over-seven-day rule, the 10 and 15 day deadlines, how to report to HSE and who in a building must report.
Premises and facilities managementRisk assessment: the five steps, and the checks that keep it trueWhat a workplace risk assessment is, what regulation 3 requires, HSE's five steps, what to write down, when to review it, and dynamic risk assessment on site.
Premises and facilities managementSchool site manager duties: the role, the routine checks and the recordWhat a school site manager does: security, health and safety checks, repairs, cleaning and contractors, how often checks are due, and how to record them.
Premises and facilities managementSoft facilities management: what it covers, how it is bought, how it is measuredWhat soft facilities management covers compared with hard FM, how soft FM is contracted, from single service to total FM, and how performance is shown.
Premises and facilities managementTM44 inspection: the air conditioning energy inspection, who needs one and how oftenWho needs a TM44 air conditioning inspection: the 12 kW rule, the five-year interval, what the energy assessor checks, the £300 penalty and the report to keep.
Premises and facilities managementVoid property inspection: what to check, how often, and what to recordHow to inspect an empty commercial or residential property: security, weather, water, fire and the insurer's conditions, and the record that shows it was done.
Premises and facilities managementWaste transfer note: what must be on it, who signs it, and how long to keep itWhat a waste transfer note must include, who signs it, season tickets, keeping notes for two years and checking your waste carrier, under the duty of care.
Premises and facilities managementThe Workplace Regulations 1992: what they require of a building, and how to show itWhat the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require of a building: maintenance, cleaning, floors, toilet numbers and welfare facilities.