Facility managers must maintain buildings and grounds in a safe and secure condition.

The safety of building occupants and maintenance staff is critical. Wet floors, dark hallways and stairwells, slip and fall hazards, unsafe elevators must all be mitigated immediately. Mold, mildew, friable asbestos, PCB and formaldehyde, even if concealed, are an invitation to lawsuits and substantial financial penalties.

Fire protection and fire alarm systems must meet code requirements and be inspected regularly.

Security of the building occupants, offices and parking lots against crime is vital. Keeping the building safe may require hiring security patrol staff, which is usually best outsourced to a security firm. Burglar alarms and panic alarms should be installed if and where needed.