Category: Design and Construction

slips trips floor infographic

Slips, Trips, and Other Rooftop Fall Hazards

Injuries from slips and falls are bad enough but are amplified when they happen on a rooftop. This infographic details some of the finer points to better understand the risks of working on a rooftop and provides some details regarding protection.

Construction vehicles at building site.

EPA Proposes Clarifications for Construction General Permit

Responding to petitions for review from the National Association of Home Builders and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the EPA is proposing modifications to its 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP). The CGP comprises National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements for construction site operators disturbing 1 or more acres of land or less than 1 acre […]

IoT Smart building concept

Report Shows that Smart Buildings are About to Get Smarter

In the past, tracking assets across one or more facilities was a time-consuming process. That’s changed a bit over the last couple of decades as developers created software solutions, mobile devices, and other smart technologies to help facility managers get the job done more efficiently. Now, a report is highlighting the role of artificial intelligence […]

Roof garden terrace with brise soleil sun breakers on modern office building facade, heat protection, global warming, sustainable living concept

Greenbuild 2018 Wraps Up with New Initiatives and LEED Updates

Each year the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) teams up with Informa to put on the largest green building conference in the world, with the goal of fostering a broader interest in sustainable built environments. This year, they landed in Chicago, where thousands of attendees gathered to be inspired, and learn about the developments […]

Tarp covering damaged roof

‘Blue Roof’ Recommendations from OSHA

The recent hurricane season has apparently prompted OSHA to issue a fact sheet on safely installing plastic tarps on damaged roofs. Reinforced plastic tarps, commonly referred to as a blue roof, provide temporary protection for buildings following severe weather.

olar Panel Array, Parking Lot

U.S. Green Building Council Releases 2018 International Green Construction Code

Whether you’re building a new facility for the ground up, or overhauling an existing property, it doesn’t hurt to consider incorporating sustainable strategies and materials into the project at the design phase. Too often, the trickier issue is seeking out appropriate guidance about how best to meet sustainability goals and while maintaining your facility, your […]

Industrial garbage bin blue construction debris container filled with rock and concrete rubble.

Should You Test Your Building Materials for PCBs?

During a recent panel discussion, “Managing PCBs in Buildings: Renovations, Transactions, Demolition, and More” at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Energy & Environment Conference on May 18, 2018, in Farmington, Connecticut, the discussants tackled the question of whether to test or not to test for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The panel, comprised of three attorneys […]

Glass Globe on Forest Floor

U.S. Green Building Council Awards Leaders in Sustainable Building

On November 1, 2018, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the winners of its 2018 Leadership Awards. Each year, the USGBC, an organization dedicated to creating a sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy conscious design and construction,  recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations at the forefront of the green building movement. The recipients of the […]

Fixed Ladder with fall protection

Standards for Fixed Ladders Change This November

November 19, 2018, is a key date for facility managers with existing outdoor fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet (ft) above a lower level. Ladders that were in place prior to that date must be equipped with at least one type of fall protection device that will prevent workers from falling. Ladders erected […]