Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Editor’s note: This FM Perspectives op-ed was written in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8). Facilities management is a dynamic field crucial to the smooth operation of businesses and institutions worldwide. Yet, despite its significance, the industry remains male-dominated. A recent study found that men outnumber women nine to one in […]
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools announced the winners of the 2024 Best of Green Schools Awards, an annual recognition in collaboration with the Green Schools National Network. The awards, announced at the 2024 Green Schools Conference in Santa Fe, N.M., honor and recognize schools, districts, individuals, lawmakers, and others active in advancing green schools nationwide. […]
The U.S. Department of Education is imposing a $14 million fine under a settlement agreement with Liberty University for violations of the Clery Act, including issues regarding the school’s published crime statistics and treatment of sexual assault survivors. This is the largest fine ever imposed for violating the federal law, officially named the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security […]
Facilities professionals involved with the new construction and renovation of commercial, industrial, educational, and governmental properties should be familiar with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and their importance. Understanding and using GFCIs can help protect against electrocution and reduce the chances of fires, overheating, and destruction of wire insulation. What Are GFCIs? According to the […]
Facilities professionals whose human resources (HR) departments have pet-friendly policies should retrofit their buildings to make them more accommodating for felines, canines, and their owners. Owners Miss Their Pets The trend toward more pet-friendly workplaces comes after more than 23 million American households acquired a cat or dog between March 2020 and May 2021, during […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), and U.K.-based Building Research Establishment (BRE) announced an alliance to help unlock the sustainable finance needed for the built environment to play its role in meeting global climate goals. According to the green building certification groups, the international alliance will work to ensure investors, property owners, […]
Green roofs, also known as rooftop gardens, are planted over a waterproofing membrane and cover a facility’s roof with vegetation. Facilities managers should consider green roofs for stormwater management and energy savings, as well as to provide rooftop gardens, educational spaces, and urban food production. Facilities managers should also consider incorporating green roofs into new […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million in funding to support building energy code adoption, training, and technical assistance at the state and local level. The DOE estimates that, from 2010 through 2040, energy codes will have saved homes and businesses $182 billion on utility bills and prevented as much carbon dioxide from reaching […]
It’s nearly impossible to talk about technology these days without mentioning artificial intelligence (AI). Most people are familiar with generative AI tools including ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot. These companies incorporate the power of AI into the software we use every day. But did you know AI is also hard at work behind the […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the $3 billion Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission equipment, infrastructure, and climate planning at U.S. ports. According to the EPA, the program is designed to help ports across the country transition to fully zero-emissions operations—serving as a catalyst for transformational change across the freight sector. The funding opportunities were […]