One of the tasks that a hotel engineer should embark on upon getting to a property is to organize the department.

Offices, shops, and storerooms should be reviewed.

Essential is a top to bottom property tour as is reading of the turnover report.

Building plans should be checked for completeness and proper storage. Of immediate importance is the single line diagrams - supply and distribution - for the utilities.

Company engineering policies, standards, and manuals should be inventoried and reviewed. Other company and hotel policies and manuals should be reviewed.

Audits should also be read. Examples of these are Fire, Life/Safety audits, Hospitality Risk audits, Facility Survey reports, Regional or Sr. Engineer audit, etc.

Staffing levels should be checked against company staffing guides and property actual needs.

Existing contracts should be reviewed.

Emergency contact numbers list(s) should be reviewed.

The hotel engineer should also very quickly develop an outline and overview of the building and building systems.