Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Beep! Beep! What eliminates the carbon dioxide equivalent of 42 trees, and can be found zipping around the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) La Plata and Regional Hughesville campuses? It’s the college’s new Polaris GEM utility vehicles—a sign of things to come as CSM begins transitioning to a smaller, less gas-reliant fleet of vehicles. This […]
In Massachusetts, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced that 42 school districts have been awarded nearly $3 million in grant funds to facilitate physical security enhancements and help ensure the safety of students and educators. The administration awarded $2,910,000 in federal grant funds through the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative. The federal funds are managed in Massachusetts by the Office […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million in competitive awards to help states, cities, tribes, and partnering organizations implement updated energy codes for buildings. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these awards will support 27 projects across 26 states and the District of Columbia to ensure buildings meet the latest standards for energy […]
As part of the company’s “workplace well-being first” design of its newly relocated Finnish offices, AstraZeneca has installed living walls in partnership with Finnish indoor nature technology firm Naava. The global pharmaceutical company has around 100 employees based in Finland, with the new premises located in the Keilaniemi region of Espoo. One major goal of the […]
As facilities managers know, summer brings increased risks of fire hazards that require proactive planning and risk mitigation. With higher use of electrical equipment such as fans and air conditioning, risks of electrical overloads and arson attacks rise. Not to mention that reduced staffing levels can also impact safety practices. The summer is a great […]
Pink and chic, high-tech and sleek, or whacky and themed—what makes a great public restroom? Every year, Cintas Corp. launches its America’s Best Restroom contest, and the competition has narrowed it down to the top 10 finalists of 2023. But which restroom will be named No. 1? The 22nd annual contest celebrates businesses that develop and maintain […]
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded funding to help make airports across the country more sustainable. As part of nearly $268 million in grants, about $92 million will go to 21 airports for solar panels, electric buses, charging stations, and electrification studies. The funding is part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Supplemental Grant Program. It […]
On pace for another recording-breaking year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted 3,251 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first half of 2023, which ended June 30. The total represents an average 18 firearms per day at TSA checkpoints, and more than 92% of them were loaded. This is an increase from the first […]
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign recently celebrated the achievements of 17 K-12 schools and districts that implemented exemplary projects to improve the energy and environmental performance of their facilities. Led by the DOE’s Building Technologies Office, the campaign is an interagency effort supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly securing a foothold in the facility management space. A quick Google search for “AI tools for facility management” will produce a host of companies offering AI-driven tools to help with everything from maintenance management to space optimization. Facility managers who are eager to exploit the benefits of AI-driven tools should […]