BuildingReports Blog

Microsoft has announced that, "starting June 15, 2022, the Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) desktop application will go out of support on Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channels and Windows 10 IoT Semi-Annual Channels." Microsoft is advising legacy Explorer users to migrate to the Microsoft Edge browser.

As a result, BuildingReports will also be ending Member Services support for Internet Explorer. However, BuildingReports will continue support for other popular browsers, including but not limited to:

• Microsoft Edge
• Google Chrome
• Apple Safari
• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera

Please contact Member Services with any questions or for further assistance in choosing a supported replacement for Internet Explorer.

Recent coverage by top industry media outlets focused on the positive impact SecurityScan can have on service companies and facilities alike. Security Sales & Integration announced in December 2020 that ScanSeries, and more specifically SecurityScan and FireScan, had been selected as one of the “Top 30 Technology Innovations for 2020.”

Android and iOS users both now have access to the latest features for ScanSeries. If you have not already updated your mobile device to the latest versions, BuildingReports recommends doing so at the earliest opportunity to take advantage of new features and improved functionality. The latest versions are v1.3.93 for Android and v2.30.102 for iOS. Access the 'About' screen using the applicable menu option from the ScanSeries home screen to check your current version number.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law March 27th, 2020 included over $2 trillion in economic relief to help offset the impacts of COVID-19. It also included tax savings for businesses, including options for commercial and industrial facilities to take advantage of Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) investments under section 168 of the Act. According to accounting firm KBKG, Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) is defined as any improvement made by the taxpayer to an interior portion of a building that is nonresidential real property as long as that improvement is placed in service after the building was first placed in service by any taxpayer (Section 168(k)(3)).” For full details, download the PDF from the IRS.

As businesses reopen and employees return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s now more important than ever to improve safety precautions and reduce liability by following health guidelines through the sanitization of common areas and equipment. BuildingReports' recent update to SafetyScan will allow facility management professionals to track and provide verifiable reporting on disinfection efforts.

While the virus has been shown to be predominately passed from person to person by close contact, it is possible to contract COVID-19 and other respiratory disease from an infected surface by touching the mouth, nose, or possibly eyes after contact. Some projections as to how long the virus can live on various porous and non-porous surfaces have been provided by authorities, research is still underway to provide better guidance.

BuildingReports is pleased to announce several updates that went live this week, many of which were requested by our network of over 900 Service Members. Unlike a full ScanSeries release, the updates reflected below to the mobile application will take effect once a building has been downloaded to a mobile device. These do not require an update to a new version via your service provider's app store.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The ScanSeries update includes the addition of Disinfected Surface Device Types for helping organizations track and record sanitization efforts as part of COVID-19, and beyond.

This is part 2 of a 2-part series to help consolidate important information for BuildingReports & ComplianceCenter Members for easy reference. Read Part 1 here.

How BuildingReports Is Assisting the Membership Network

BuildingReports is currently working remotely to ensure business continuity and uninterrupted operations for our entire membership network (AHJ’s, Service Companies and Facilities). For our ScanSeries members (premium barcode scanning services), BuildingReports University wants to help your ITM teams and administrators stay productive and increase their working knowledge of ScanSeries and Building Reports during the COVID-19 outbreak, by providing complimentary online training, further information via these links:

• Session Descriptions
• Registration Form

This is part 1 of a 2-part series to help consolidate important information for Service Members for easy reference. The information contained here is accurate as of April 10, 2020. Part 2 will focus on what we’re hearing from Members and AHJs regarding the challenges, processes and opportunities they are experiencing in the field and office.

As buildings become increasingly vacant with the exception of essential service functions, the National Fire Protection Association has provided official guidance for authorities to ensure the continued working order and compliance of critical facility systems.

Download the PDF

LiveArchive is a sticker with a unique QR code that is placed near or in a building’s control panel, as well as in other areas such as utility rooms or wherever your fire and life safety equipment is stored. LiveArchive QR codes can be placed in multiple locations within a facility providing users with a variety of access points to compliance documentation, creating redundancy in the event that equipment with a QR code is moved or replaced.