Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Supported by a landmark commitment from Johns Hopkins University, a brand-new solar facility is now up and running, providing the university with two-thirds of its annual electricity use from clean power. With this agreement—one of the most substantial clean energy pledges by any higher education institution in the U.S.—Johns Hopkins achieved its goal to cut greenhouse gas […]
If you’re looking for a mundane career of predictability, facilities management probably isn’t for you. In fact, one of Amber Gratkowski’s favorite things about the FM industry is that every day on the job is different. Gratkowski works as the Facilities Manager of the Central Campus at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC). The commission is […]
California utility San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced that it has successfully deployed an innovative technology that enables eight electric school buses to put electricity back on the power grid when needed, such as on hot summer days. A collaborative effort between SDG&E, the Cajon Valley Union School District, and locally based technology company […]
A nongovernmental task force recently recommended that building owners begin taking four steps to address SARS-CoV-2 infection risks in schools and workplaces: verifying building systems are performing as designed, increasing outdoor air ventilation, upgrading air filtration, and deploying portable air cleaners where needed. The Lancet COVID-19 Commission’s Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and […]
In the wake of the Uvalde school shooting tragedy, the Door and Hardware Institute, in conjunction with the Door Security & Safety Foundation (DSSF), released the following joint statement: On July 12, NBC News published an article highlighting a basic security feature that is lacking in more than a quarter of all schools across the country—classroom doors […]
It’s summertime, and many facilities professionals are hard at work on new building projects and major building renovations. There are several types of commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to consider when a new system must be installed. The National Institute of Building Sciences advises businesses to consider energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and […]
One of the highest costs of facilities management is cleaning and maintenance. And in today’s world, there is an increased emphasis on cleaning for health. As a result, it has become a non-negotiable budget item for facilities managers. What Is Cleaning for Health? Pre-pandemic, if a facility appeared clean, it was deemed clean. Now, spaces […]
Fluorescent tube light bulbs, once embraced as an energy-efficient option, use “far more” energy than today’s LEDs and are now a “needless toxic health risk,” according to a new report published jointly by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), CLASP, and the Clean Lighting Coalition. Laws and rules restricting the use of toxic mercury […]
I just want to say I love my tablet. It is a happy medium between my bulky laptop and tiny smartphone. I can catch up on the news while I commute to work without having to squint at my phone screen, reading three or four words a line, or I can easily lie in bed […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is celebrating the 580 manufacturing plants that achieved the energy savings goals set out by EPA 10 years ago to drive energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. Through the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry, manufacturing plants agreed to reduce energy intensity by 10% within five years. These 580 […]