AEM Tier 2 Worksheet
Greenhouse Maintenance
Glossary
Ambient Temperature: The outdoor temperature
surrounding the greenhouse. It determines indoor
temperature trends.
Evaporative Cooling: The introduction of moist
air which draws heat energy as it evaporates,
leaving indoor air cooler; works best when outdoor
humidity is low. Generally this is an active system
which needs maintenance for optimum benefit.
Glazing: The single or double layering of plastic
film, acrylic or glass that acts as the greenhouse
wall or ceiling and is integral to light, temperature,
and humidity of the greenhouse.
Shading: The use of fabric or chemical products
to reduce solar energy’s effect on indoor light
levels and temperature.
AEM Tier 2 Worksheet – Greenhouse Maintenance – 6/05
Background
Threats to the integrity of a facility and its systems include: frost heaving, poor drainage,
poor electrical service, concrete deterioration, peeling or flaking paint, corrosions of
steel equipment and reinforcing, puncturing of clay or synthetic liners, plumbing
rupture, loss of backflow prevention, and loss of secondary containment systems.
Preventive maintenance minimizes factors that cause deterioration. Timely repair of
small problems prevents them from becoming larger issues, and minimizes algae growth
and other pest problems. Environmental control is a key component of Integrated Pest
Management, especially of disease management.
All employees responsible for maintenance activities are thoroughly trained in the
maintenance activity itself, as well as precautions to prevent personal accidents and
environmental releases. Greenhouse staff not specifically assigned to maintenance
activities should still be responsible for reporting any malfunctioning or suspect
equipment or process. Water is the carrier of chemicals into the environment. The more
we can keep water where it needs to be, the less contaminated water we have to deal
with.
(Continued on page 2)
Agricultural Water Quality Principle
Any deterioration of the greenhouse jeopardizes the safety of workers and the
environment by facilitating the introduction of greenhouse chemicals into the soil and
water.
Page 1 of 5
 Background continued …
All equipment and systems are inspected routinely, and notes regarding problems are kept. Inspection checklists are individualized for
facilities. All equipment is tracked through a preventive maintenance system. PM is performed routinely, and all records of maintenance
activities are kept and can be associated with individual pieces of equipment. Repeated problems are noted and preventive maintenance
schedules are adjusted accordingly.
Good housekeeping is integrated into preventive maintenance and repair activities. Systems are shut down properly, staff are alerted,
work areas are isolated or otherwise identified, and work proceeds only when the area, the tools, and the equipment are fully prepared. At
the end of repair, all systems are returned to proper functioning, staff are notified, and the work area is returned to its original condition.

AEM Tier 2 Worksheet:

Potential Concern
Greenhouse Maintenance

Factors Needing Lower Higher

Assessment 1 2
staff note problems as they
Are mechanical, occur; equipment and systems
electrical, plumbing and are inspected routinely (at least
structural components yearly) through the use of
inspected? facility-specific checklists;
records are kept
drainage around structure is
checked periodically by visual
What external drainage inspection; ponding is avoided
system is in place to by proper grading around
prevent excess water from structures; landscape plantings
entering the greenhouse? are kept away from drainage
system; contaminants can not
enter the system
program is in place to identify
Are leaks identified and
leaks, contain and repair
repaired?
promptly
3 4
staff note problems as staff note problems as they staff note problems as they
they occur; equipment occur; no routine occur or when problem
and systems are inspections or records kept intensifies, no records kept
inspected routinely (at
least yearly); records
are kept
drainage around drainage problems are fixed drainage problems
structure is checked as they occur and occasionally remain until
periodically by visual contaminants may be able significant and
inspection, and to enter the system contaminants are likely
contaminants can not entering the system
enter the system
plumbing leaks are plumbing leaks are plumbing leaks are often
reported and follow-up identified, some effort for ignored
effort is made to ensure containment
that repairs are made

AEM Tier 2 Worksheet – Greenhouse Maintenance – 6/05 Page 2 of 5

AEM Tier 2 Worksheet:
Potential Concern
Greenhouse Maintenance Continued

Factors Needing Lower Higher

Assessment 1 2 3 4
hose couplings and other irrigation systems are irrigation systems do not irrigation systems do not
connections are kept tight and inspected and leaks are receive regular inspection; receive regular inspection;
How are irrigation leak free; irrigation leaks are repaired promptly leaks are repaired promptly leaks are repaired, but may
systems maintained? repaired immediately when remain active for extended
they are discovered; periodic periods
inspections are conducted
spills are cleaned up spills are cleaned up spills are cleaned up as
What are spill cleanup promptly; secondary promptly soon as possible
procedures? containment is used where
appropriate
concrete damage is repaired concrete is well concrete cracking is concrete cracking
How is concrete promptly; concrete is maintained and cracking repaired annually as needed occasionally is allowed to
maintained? inspected routinely; is repaired promptly progress until cracks cause
expansion joints are sealed tripping or other hazards
How are plastic coverings recycled sanitary landfill kept on property
disposed?
glazing repairs are made leaks and glazing are leaks and glazing are greenhouse leaks and
How is glazing
immediately upon discovery maintained and repairs repaired periodically broken glazing are repaired
maintained to prevent
of damage or leaks; glazing is are made promptly infrequently
excess water entry?
inspected routinely
automatic shading is provided shading material is shading material is applied shading material is applied
How are shading by movable curtains in the applied as needed, but on schedule on a yearly or when time permits and may
materials selected and greenhouse only when weather will more frequent basis deteriorate before
applied? remain clear and until replacement
material is well-dried
automatic shading is provided shading material is shading material is conventional shading
How are shading by movable curtains in the allowed to be removed by removed on schedule with material is removed on
materials removed? greenhouse snowfall; easily water and scrubbing; easily schedule with acidic
removable formulations removed formulations are cleansers
are used used where appropriate
AEM Tier 2 Worksheet – Greenhouse Maintenance – 6/05 Page 3 of 5
AEM Tier 2 Worksheet:
Potential Concern
Greenhouse Maintenance Continued

Factors Needing Lower Higher

Assessment 1 2 3 4
fans, pads, and water fans, pads, and water systems fans, pads and water systems are not monitored
systems are periodically are periodically inspected systems are not routinely and operate regardless of
monitored; water bleed and excessive leakage or monitored; leakage and actual ambient temperature
How is an evaporative
off is adjusted bleed off is corrected; system bleed off are not monitored; day or night
cooling system maintained
appropriately; leaks are is operated only during cooling system is operated
to reduce water leakage?
repaired promptly; hottest weather seasonally, regardless of
operation is linked to actual ambient temperature
environmental controls
How are ventilation top and side vents or fans top and side vents or fans are top and side vents or fans top and side vents or fans
systems maintained to are used only when inspected and maintained are maintained when are in disrepair
control greenhouse needed and inspected and yearly functional problems arise
temperatures and maintained quarterly
humidity?
staff reports maintenance staff reports maintenance staff reports maintenance staff reports maintenance
concerns as they occur; concerns as they occur; concerns as they occur, concerns as they occur,
greenhouse staff and greenhouse staff and solutions are appropriately action is not always timely
maintenance personnel maintenance personnel timed
discuss repairs where discuss repairs where
appropriate to maximize appropriate to maximize
long-term effectiveness of long-term effectiveness of
Are maintenance needs
repairs; greenhouse staff repairs
sufficiently
and maintenance
communicated?
personnel meet regularly
to discuss preventive
maintenance and
foreseeable maintenance
issues affecting
greenhouse structural
integrity and plant care

AEM Tier 2 Worksheet – Greenhouse Maintenance – 6/05 Page 4 of 5

Other:
1. Are vertebrate pests prevented from tunneling in under or around the structure and drainage systems?

2. What treatment methods are used to reduce microbial and algae growth on evaporative cooling pads?

3. Are employees responsible for maintenance activities thoroughly trained in the maintenance activity itself, as well as precautions to
prevent personal accidents and environmental releases?

4. Are work areas regularly cleaned and floors kept free of debris to eliminate pest refuges and harborages?

5. Are all mechanical, pump, sump and drain systems and equipment put on recommended preventive maintenance schedules and
monitored for problems?

Additional Comments:

AEM Tier 2 Worksheet – Greenhouse Maintenance – 6/05 Page 5 of 5