1. Closing Responsibility and Schedule
Assign the closing lead
Name the person responsible for the facility closing sequence.
Confirm the final booking has ended
Check that all scheduled client and production work is finished.
Record authorised overnight occupants
Identify any personnel approved to remain in the building after hours.
Review maintenance and access exceptions
Check if any contractors or cleaners are scheduled to arrive overnight.
Record the closing start time
Log the exact time the closing procedures begin.
Keep the closer on site
Ensure the closing lead remains present until the final exit is locked.
Review completed bookings
Cross-reference the daily schedule to ensure all sessions wrapped successfully.
Check approved extensions
Note any bookings that ran late and verify their current status.
Confirm overnight bookings
Verify if any studios are booked for continuous overnight rendering or rendering processes.
Check tomorrow’s first booking
Review the morning schedule to leave the facility prepared for early arrivals.
Record schedule exceptions
Log any major deviations from the planned operational day.
2. Occupants, Visitors, and Room Status
Confirm all clients have left
Physically check lounges, reception, and studios for remaining guests.
Confirm crew and contractors have left
Ensure all daily staff and freelancers have signed out and departed.
Check shared and restricted areas
Sweep bathrooms, kitchens, and secure zones for stragglers.
Record authorised overnight personnel
Log the names of specific security, rendering, or cleaning staff remaining.
Recover visitor credentials
Collect any temporary passes or keys issued during the day.
Check every room status
Ensure each production space is empty and powered down.
Stop unapproved recordings
Turn off cameras, mics, and capture software left running accidentally.
Close or lock room doors
Secure all internal production suites and offices.
Record visible damage
Document and photograph any mess, spills, or broken fixtures found.
Record unfinished turnover
Log any rooms left messy or un-reset by the departing crew.
Restrict affected rooms
Lock or tape off rooms that require deep cleaning or maintenance.
3. Equipment, Inventory, and Storage
Review outstanding equipment
Check the daily log for gear that has not been scanned back in.
Confirm returned equipment
Verify that returned items are accounted for and placed in holding.
Update equipment locations
Ensure the inventory system reflects where items are stored overnight.
Record incomplete returns
Flag missing pieces, cables, or accessories immediately.
Isolate damaged equipment
Tag broken gear and move it to the quarantine/repair shelf.
Secure stores and cabinets
Lock all equipment cages, hard drive safes, and prop rooms.
Approve overnight charging
Plug in necessary camera batteries and radios in safe charging bays.
Check high-use consumables
Audit remaining gaff tape, batteries, markers, and printer paper.
Record used quantities
Log what was consumed today for accurate billing and restock.
Confirm reserved stock
Ensure specific supplies needed for tomorrow are set aside.
Remove damaged stock
Throw away ruined expendables to prevent use on future shoots.
Record low stock
Add depleted items to the facility order sheet.
Secure controlled supplies
Lock away expensive drives or restricted materials.
4. Shared Areas, Cleaning, and Waste
Secure reception records and devices
Lock away visitor logs, iPads, and reception computers.
Close meeting spaces
Turn off AV gear, push in chairs, and turn off lights in conference rooms.
Check kitchens and break areas
Ensure appliances are off, sinks are empty, and perishables are stored.
Check restrooms
Verify toilets are not running and lights are turned off.
Clear corridors and stairs
Move any staged gear or trash out of emergency pathways.
Secure client areas
Lock down VIP lounges or green rooms.
Keep access routes clear
Ensure entrances and loading docks are unobstructed.
Remove food waste
Take out catering or kitchen trash to prevent overnight pests.
Check production waste
Ensure set-building debris is in the correct external dumpsters.
Isolate hazardous waste
Safely store sharp objects, chemicals, or broken glass.
Clean or restrict wet floors
Mop up spills or put up hazard signs if left for the cleaning team.
Confirm scheduled cleaning
Leave instructions or access for overnight janitorial staff.
Secure cleaning supplies
Lock the janitorial closets once tasks are finished.
5. Power, Utilities, and Data Systems
Shut down unused workstations
Power down editing and office computers not rendering overnight.
Turn off production systems
Power down lighting grids, mixing consoles, and stage power drops.
Turn off portable appliances
Unplug space heaters, fans, irons, and coffee makers.
Confirm approved overnight systems
Ensure necessary servers and rendering nodes are left on.
Check unusual electrical conditions
Investigate any buzzing panels, tripped breakers, or warm outlets.
Check temporary power connections
Disconnect all heavy extension cables used during the shoot.
Record systems left running
Document any equipment intentionally left powered on.
Set overnight climate controls
Adjust HVAC or AC to the facility's required overnight temperature.
Turn off unnecessary water sources
Ensure no sinks or hoses are left running.
Check for leaks
Inspect bathrooms, kitchens, and studio roofs for water issues.
Close approved gas systems
Shut off main valves in kitchens or special-effects staging areas.
Check drainage conditions
Ensure facility drains are not blocked or backing up.
Record utility faults
Log any HVAC, plumbing, or electrical issues for morning repair.
Check active transfers and backups
Ensure end-of-day data offloads are proceeding without errors.
Lock powered workstations
Log out or lock screens on machines left rendering overnight.
Close sensitive records
Log out of facility management software and secure physical files.
Secure removable media
Lock camera cards and master drives in the vault or safe.
Record network faults
Log any internet drops or server connectivity issues.
6. Doors, Windows, and Safety
Close all external windows
Ensure ground floor and accessible windows are shut and locked.
Lock external doors
Secure the main entrances, side doors, and fire escapes.
Lock restricted internal doors
Secure server rooms, equipment cages, and administrative offices.
Secure loading areas
Close and lock roller doors and freight bays.
Return keys and access cards
Ensure the closing team places keys in the secure drop-box.
Remove temporary access
Revoke or log out temporary day-codes assigned to freelancers.
Confirm doors latch fully
Physically pull on exterior doors to ensure the locks are engaged.
Keep emergency exits clear
Ensure no gear was placed in front of fire doors during pack-down.
Check fire doors
Verify that internal fire corridor doors are closed, not propped open.
Keep fire equipment accessible
Ensure extinguishers and alarms are visible and unblocked.
Check emergency lighting
Verify exit signs are illuminated and functioning.
Remove temporary hazards
Clear trip hazards, cables, or precarious stacks of gear.
Restrict unsafe areas
Tape off any section of the building requiring morning maintenance.
Escalate serious risks
Contact management immediately if a critical security issue prevents locking up.
7. Faults, Contractors, and Deliveries
Record facility faults
Log all broken doors, leaks, or structural issues found during closing.
Record technical faults
Log all broken gear or network drops that occurred during the day.
Identify affected areas
Specify exactly which rooms or studios contain the faults.
Assign each issue an owner
Note who is responsible for resolving the fault tomorrow.
Set the response deadline
Determine if the fault must be fixed before the first morning booking.
Notify affected teams
Leave a note or message for the morning team regarding the faults.
Record temporary controls
Log any workarounds implemented (e.g., "Use Studio B for internet").
Confirm contractor departure
Verify all external builders or repair teams have signed out.
Record rental equipment status
Log any hired gear that needs to be returned first thing tomorrow.
Secure late deliveries
Move packages that arrived late into the secure lockup.
Prepare early collections
Stage outgoing packages near the door for morning couriers.
Secure loading access
Ensure the loading dock is locked from the inside.
Record overnight vendor access
Log if night-cleaners or security patrols are expected.
8. Final Building Walkthrough
Walk every accessible area
Perform a continuous physical sweep of the entire facility.
Check for remaining people
Look in bathrooms, edit bays, and dark studios one last time.
Check active equipment
Verify that only approved overnight systems are running.
Check for leaks or smoke
Look and smell for any final signs of fire or plumbing issues.
Check unusual heat or odours
Investigate any lingering electrical smells in the server room.
Confirm windows and doors
Perform a final visual check that all perimeter access points are sealed.
Check restricted areas
Verify the vault and equipment cages are locked tight.
Confirm open issue controls
Ensure any taped-off hazards are highly visible for morning staff.
Confirm only authorised occupants remain
Make sure anyone left in the building is on the approved overnight list.
9. Alarm, Final Exit, and Closing Record
Confirm alarm readiness
Check the panel to ensure no zones are showing open.
Activate the alarm
Arm the building security system.
Resolve alarm warnings
Investigate any bypassed zones or failure-to-arm errors.
Lock the final exit
Step outside and secure the main exterior door.
Check the building exterior
Pull the door handle from the outside to confirm the lock engaged.
Report alarm failure
Contact security monitoring immediately if the system won't arm.
Record the closing date
Enter today's date in the final digital closing report.
Record the closing lead
Log the name of the person finalizing this checklist.
Record the final exit time
Log the exact time the building was armed and vacated.
Record overnight occupants
Finalize the list of any approved staff still inside.
Record active systems
Log the specific servers or render nodes left running.
Record faults and restrictions
Attach the log of building and technical issues discovered.
Record owners and deadlines
Submit the assigned repair tasks to the morning management team.
Record closing approval
Sign off on the final facility report.
