Category: Grounds Management

Advantages and Challenges of Green Roofs

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 […]

Back to Basics: Using Bollards for Security and Safety

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 […]

Green from Above: Harnessing Drone Inspections to Boost Building ESG Performance

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 […]

10 Warning Signs of Foundation Problems

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 […]

Exterior LED Lighting Upgrade Takes Off at Milwaukee Airport

Energy use is a significant percentage of an airport’s operating costs—as much as 10-15% of these facilities’ entire operating budget. Upgrading to LED luminaires greatly reduces airports’ energy consumption because, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they use up to 75% less energy than traditional luminaires. LED luminaires also reduce maintenance costs because they […]

Creating a Safe Workplace for Winter: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

While some might enjoy walking in a winter wonderland, if facilities managers aren’t careful, their employees’ journey could include slip, trip, and fall injuries, which can be costly for employers and employees. However, there are ways to be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store. What Are Slips, Trips, and Falls? The Occupational Safety […]

OSHA Launches Regional Tree and Landscaping Safety Enforcement Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Region 2 office has launched a regional emphasis program (REP) to reduce worker fatalities and injuries in the tree and landscape services industries in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the agency announced January 11. The new REP includes two elements: “We want to make […]

University of Connecticut’s Director of Major Projects Talks Campus Sustainability

While sports fans know that the University of Connecticut (UConn) is known as the “Basketball Capital of the World,” the university has recently been recognized on the national level for its ongoing commitment to sustainability by being ranked as one of the top 25 schools on The Princeton Review’s Top 50 Green Colleges list for […]

FAA Awards Airports $66M in Infrastructure Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $66.2 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to airports in 23 states and Puerto Rico. The 66 projects are the latest to be funded under the law’s Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $15 billion over five years for the program. […]

Navigating the Path to Commercial EV Charging Stations

Companies across various sectors, from retail locations to commercial businesses, are recognizing the shifting consumer attitudes toward electric vehicles (EVs). This growing awareness and changing sentiment are driving substantial investments in EV charging solutions, and there’s no sign this will let up, as EV sales are expected to leap 35% in 2023. As a result, […]