Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The biggest indoor air concerns for decades were exposure to radon, mold, and tobacco smoke. The focus has now shifted to respiratory infections and wildfire smoke, and newer requirements stress the importance of ventilation and air filtration. Here are 10 steps to improve indoor air quality.
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released a new report, “School Facilities Funding in the Pandemic,” which found U.S. school districts are widely committing funding from last year’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) to upgrade or improve their air filtration and heating/cooling systems—more so than for other facility improvements. The […]
A new survey finds that the vast majority of teachers (74%) nationwide are concerned about the indoor air quality in their schools and on buses, citing the negative impacts it has on the health and productivity of teachers, faculty, and students. The results highlight the growing importance teachers place on working in a healthy, safe, […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a Notice of Intent (NOI) announcing $80 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make public K-12 schools more energy efficient and lower their energy costs, including some of the nation’s highest-need schools. The funding is the first tranche of the Renew America’s Schools grant program created by […]
It is important for facilities professionals to learn not only how to manage energy but also how to incorporate conservation and sustainability into their facilities. James Myers, P.E., ProFM, principal of Myers Services, recently gave a webinar on the “5 Aspects of Energy Management,” sponsored by Avetta and ABM, for Facilities Management Advisor. He has […]
Long before the pandemic, researchers knew that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) made workers sick and decreased cognition and attendance. A Harvard study of more than 3,000 workers showed that sick leave doubled among employees in poorly ventilated areas. Poor air IAQ has also been shown to decrease office workers’ cognitive function and decision-making, as well […]
Editor’s note: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so Facilities Management Advisor chose to repost this highly relevant article, originally published in April 2022. The threat of cybercrime impacts all businesses, no matter how big or small they are. The more advanced our operations become through modern software, the more open they are to outside attacks. […]
Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) in Wayne, N.J., is more than just a tech school. Of course the trades are offered, but it’s also a high school, open to students from grades seven through 12 with courses covering everything from criminal justice and finance to automotive technology and culinary arts. It even has an athletics and […]
In observance of the International Day of Clean Air on Sept. 7, Fellowes Brands announced results from a recent national survey that found only 36% of respondents describe the indoor air quality (IAQ) at their workplace as very clean. The survey of 1,120 American workers who work on-site and indoors for their employer also revealed that 91% of respondents agree clean […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is partnering with energy company Southern Co. to increase efficiency in 12 federal buildings across Georgia, reducing GSA’s carbon footprint and improving overall sustainability. The upgrades will focus on lighting, HVAC, water conservation, and more. Two Southern Co. subsidiaries—utility Atlanta Gas Light and distributed energy provider PowerSecure—are coordinating the improvements. […]