Industrial News

Attracting and retaining such high-profile tenants in Chicago’s competitive market requires much more than architectural elegance and first-class amenities, according to Myrna Coronado, general manager with Prime Group Realty Trust at the 77 West Wacker building. “Chicago has seen a lot of new commercial development, and these new buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art technology,” she said. “We have to prove that even in our 15th year of operation, we continue to invest in technological systems that not only keep pace with the times, but go above and beyond what the other buildings are providing.”

Among those best-in-class offerings is BSSonline®, the Web-based Life Safety Training Program from Building Safety Solutions (BSS) of Pasadena, California (www.buildingsafetysolutions.com). The fully digitized program integrates 3-D graphics, site-specific photography and voice narration to prepare employees and tenants of 77 West Wacker for a variety of emergency situations—man-made and natural disasters alike—ranging from terrorism to biological and chemical threats, to fires and tornadoes.

Tenants’ employees can log on at their convenience and view customized, building-specific information on floor plans, emergency exits and evacuation procedures 24/7 from any computer. The application includes a required quiz for users and a management tool that enables both landlord and tenants to track compliance.

A compelling response to post-9/11 concerns
Coronado began researching building safety systems shortly after she assumed her position at 77 West Wacker in 2002. “After 9/11, tenants were asking for increased fire drills and more security training,” she said. “I knew we needed an emergency preparedness program that was more compelling and site-specific than the usual generic PowerPoint presentations or standard video.”

In BSSonline®, Coronado found a solution that was both customized and cost-effective. The installation process included numerous on-site visits from BSS professionals to familiarize themselves with the building.

“Customization of the content is critical,” explained Coronado. “The BSS team took digital images throughout the building, they studied the mechanical drawings and interviewed our staff. After they wrote the script, they gave us an opportunity to review and edit it. We even used our own employees in the online training presentation. When you view it, you can’t look away, because you are seeing people and places that are familiar.”

To introduce the system, BSS equipped building management with brochures for tenants and played the safety presentation on a flat screen TV in the lobby. They also hosted a training session in which BSS personnel answered questions and showed tenants how to navigate the system.

Management at 77 West Wacker has integrated the program with its Web-based portal which tenants can access anytime. Many tenants have made the online safety training part of their new hire packages, and integrated the program into their firms\' policies and procedures. The building also offers a closed-caption version, and is currently developing a Spanish-language version for employees.

“The best thing about it is that it is empowering,” Coronado said. “Employees don’t have to wait for a biannual fire drill in order to receive this training. New employees or temporary employees can get vital information about the building without delay. And, unlike in-person PowerPoint presentations, the material is presented in the same consistent format every time. Most importantly, the convenience of having it online encourages people to use it, and that results in a safer workplace.”

And for 77 West Wacker, it has also resulted in a competitive edge that helps keep the building at the forefront of Chicago’s highly competitive commercial real estate market.

For more information, please visit www.buildingsafetysolutions.com