Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
As we head into Healthy Buildings Week here at Facilities Management Advisor, one might ask: “What are healthy buildings?” Healthy buildings involve a variety of categories, including design, cleaning protocols, ventilation, water quality, safety and security, clear communication and signage, encouragement of active occupants, and certification programs. Healthy buildings take on added importance as many workers […]
Major retailer Target Corp. announced its most sustainable store to date, as the site will generate more renewable energy than it needs annually to operate and will test multiple innovations to reduce the building’s emissions. The Vista, Calif., store’s retrofit and new features will inform Target’s investments in new stores and remodel programs that support its […]
There can be no doubt that the buildings we work in have a big impact on us. This issue was brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people were asked to work remotely. Interestingly, around one-third of workers admit that they are less productive when working from home. So, we can say […]
One of the biggest challenges for building owners and facility managers is maintaining healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). This is especially difficult during the winter months, as everyone spends more time indoors with the windows closed. The result is indoor pollutants having less chance of escaping through ventilation and a better chance of irritating building occupants. […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has applauded the Biden administration’s National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which includes a strong focus on improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation in buildings. “As states loosen masking requirements, the White House is exactly right to prioritize indoor environmental quality in homes and buildings,” said Elizabeth Beardsley, Senior Policy Counsel […]
Today, facility managers face challenges that can jeopardize profits, including volatile utility and operating costs. With geopolitical uncertainty and unprecedented climate events resulting in energy supply vulnerability and soaring energy prices, companies have increased pressure to make their businesses more resilient. For example, during the Texas Freeze of 2021, electricity prices surged to $9,000 per […]
Nearly three out of four (72%) surveyed office workers express concern about their building’s indoor air quality (IAQ), according to a new report from Honeywell. Titled “Workplace Air Quality: A Global Concern Emerges,” the report presents the findings of Honeywell’s second annual Healthy Buildings Survey, which recently queried 3,000 office workers in buildings with 500-plus workers in ASEAN, Germany, India, the Middle East, […]
Have you had to delay your return-to-office (RTO) date due to surges of COVID-19 in your community? If your employees have already returned, are you worried about the spread of the Omicron variant? Are you skeptical about the value of indoor air quality, or instead, have you wondered about adding portable air cleaners? Have you […]
‘Tis the season for publications to share Top 10 lists and annual wrap-ups! We at Facilities Management Advisor figured we’d join the party and create a list of our own highlighting the most popular articles that you, our valued readers, read over the past year. The Top 10 list covers some of the major FM […]
A new national survey of K-12 teachers, commissioned by Global Plasma Solutions (GPS), shows that more than two-thirds are turning down or turning off portable, in-room, HEPA air purifiers (one of the most frequently deployed technologies) as a result of the noise they can generate in classrooms. Turning the portable units down or off reduces […]