Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Even though it’s been over three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations for safer and cleaner facilities persist, especially in restrooms. So much so that one TikTok user has garnered tens of millions of views on her videos testing the spread of bacteria from various air hand dryers in facility restrooms. With hygiene […]
As facilities managers continue to improve their buildings’ indoor air quality (IAQ), they should learn about the new American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 241; the different types of air-cleaning technologies and their costs; and their occupants’ needs. Facilities Management Advisor had an educational session on August 17 as part of […]
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released survey results collected from over 330 industry professionals at the NFPA 2023 Conference & Expo. The research findings reveal insights around trends and attitudes on digital transformation, training, and educational programs. Respondents represent the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect/design, facility maintenance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields. […]
With the Labor Day holiday officially in the books, not only is back-to-school season in full swing, but the return-to-office (RTO) is underway, as well. Over the past few years, the late summer and early autumn have marked a rallying point for companies’ RTO efforts. While Zoom’s recently revamped RTO policies have been grabbing the […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released program guidance and opened applications for $400 million in formula funding to states and territories for adopting and implementing building energy codes that reduce utility bills, increase efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and make buildings more resilient to climate disasters. “A transition to a clean energy economy […]
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, a 2.3 million square-foot facility in Washington, D.C., has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The convention center achieved LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings Gold certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in […]
How do we achieve net zero? This is a key question that facilities managers and other stakeholders are increasingly being required to ask themselves. The world is evolving, and a central piece in this evolution is the shift toward net-zero carbon emissions. This is a marked shift from 10 years ago, when the focus was […]
Emergency preparedness is an essential part of facilities management. To maintain operations and protect building occupants, it’s crucial to plan for various types of hazards, including natural disasters, fires, power outages, and even active shooters. On Sept. 26-27, Facilities Management Advisor‘s FM NOW: Emergency Preparedness virtual summit will offer FREE educational sessions to help you […]
Caring for campus grounds has become a quieter experience and more comfortable for landscape services employees at Western University in Ontario, Canada, as the university works to eliminate gas-powered units on campus. Facilities Management has recently added two electric John Deere Gator utility vehicles (UTVs) to its landscape services fleet, replacing a carbon-intensive equipment truck […]
In today’s fast-paced world, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)/Computer Aided Facility Management (CaFM) automation has become integral to facility operations. However, not all CMMS/CaFM automation is created equal. Many facilities find themselves stuck in what we call a “superficial automation pitfall” that results in siloed and broken operation processes. This pitfall is caused when facilities […]