Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Facilities professionals should choose the right type of paint for their commercial, industrial, educational, and governmental buildings, taking into consideration its appearance and durability. No matter what option you choose, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends reading all instructions, selecting products that don’t emit harmful vapors, and providing adequate ventilation through open windows and […]
While a public restroom is by definition “public,” a majority of U.S. adults want more privacy when they’re using the toilet. According to the Healthy Handwashing Survey conducted by Bradley Co., 70% of Americans feel public restroom stalls lack sufficient “coverage.” Specifically, 58% would like the gaps around stall doors and walls eliminated. In fact, […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Bollards are short, mounted vertical posts that create a barrier to prevent vehicles from entering facilities, utilities, pedestrian areas, and sensitive components inside facilities. Facilities professionals should install bollards on their properties for asset protection and […]
Nearly one-third of public schools (31%) have one or more non-permanent (portable) buildings in use on campus, according to new data released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the statistical center within the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Additionally, major repair, renovation, or modernization work was being performed in […]
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $970 million to 114 airports across the country, spanning 44 states and three territories. The funding covers terminal expansions, sustainability, security, accessibility improvements, and more. “Today’s funding not only helps modernize airports to meet the needs of travelers today and for years to come, but also creates good-paying […]
In the realm of sustainable development, the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria has gained significant traction. Major property owners, in particular, have come under increasing scrutiny on their environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. Fortunately, drone inspections present a promising avenue for enhancing building ESG performance. This article explores how drone […]
Brivo, a provider of cloud-based access control and smart building technologies, announced the results of its research into integrated physical security in building design by architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) practitioners. The report finds that despite an increased commitment to “security-by-design” principles, the industry is still spending significant time and money post-build to fix security […]
Facilities professionals should regularly inspect the inside and outside of their commercial properties to look for problems with their foundations. Keep in mind that commercial foundations are built differently than residential foundations so they can support the weight of the structure. According to Forbes, commercial property foundations can fail because of saturated or frozen soil […]
Pennsylvania officials have announced a total of $175 million will be available through two grant programs to help schools make facility upgrades and environmental repairs. Recognizing that students cannot learn, grow, and thrive without access to safe and healthy school facilities, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced $75 million in funding through the Public […]
Higher education plays a key role in how we address the challenges of climate change—not only in our scientific understanding of the cause and effect of carbon emissions, but also in how our built spaces can adapt. Because many college and university campuses feature historical (even outdated) infrastructure, many are taking opportunities to build new […]