FM Global, the University of Iowa's property insurance carrier and one of the largest commercial property carriers in the world, recognized UI Facilities Management as part of a team effort with UI Public Safety and UI Risk Management Nov. 22 for their critical roles in loss prevention efforts related to fire and fire safety.

Ron Zeh, FM Global Field Engineering Group Manager, presented the award to the teams during a brief ceremony held in 202 University Services Building. Tom Lauer, the senior engineering specialist who provides loss prevention engineering service to the UI, also attended.

“The award was given to recognize the property conservation efforts of these team members over the last 18 months," Zeh says. "The list of accomplishments is long and focuses on preventing or controlling fires. This is only the second time in my 23 years with FM Global that I have presented an award like this.”

Highlights of the work that FM Global recognized include the following:

• Implementation of the FM Global Hot Work permit system with the “Hawk Eye on Safety” logo.
• Contract language that requires outside contractors to take on-line Hot Work training.
• The development of a campus-wide sprinkler control valve list/sketch.
• More than 1,000 sprinkler control valves were locked in the open position to prevent unauthorized closures.
• Fire protection impairments are managed with a permit system, regardless of the duration.

Don Guckert, associate vice president and director of Facilities Management, accepted the award on behalf of the university and expressed his appreciation for FM Global’s partnership in managing property loss risks for the campus.

“We appreciate the advice and consultation that FM Global provides us in both the conduct of our daily operations and with the design and construction of new facilities," he says. "By identifying best practices in the industry, they challenge us to implement the type of improvements that lower our risks for property loss and business interruptions.”

The following individuals from Facilities Management, Public Safety, and Risk Management were thanked for their contributions.

Facilities Management
Don Guckert, associate vice president and director
Dan Heater, director of Building and Landscape Services
Glen Mowery, director of Utilities and Energy Management
Rod Lehnertz, director of Planning, Design & Construction
Jon Kettering, director of Business and Financial Services
Ann Rosenthal, associate director, Building Services
Steve Otto, manager, Construction Project Management
Brent Anderson, Occupational Safety manager
Dave Jackson, assistant to the AVP
Lou Galante, manager, Trade Services
Jeff Harney, senior construction project manager
Jeff Nicely-Green, fire safety inspector
Steve Stimmel, fire safety inspector
Martin Lacina, systems control technician

Public Safety
Bruce McAvoy, fire safety

Risk Management
Donna Pearcy, chief risk officer
Ed Nobles, Risk Management director
Kathryn Kurth, Risk Management manager
Gary Anderson, Risk Management manager