Tag: healthy buildings

The Top Interior Design Trends of 2022

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2022 Trends Report, part one of the three-part Outlook Report revealing significant industry trends and implications, economic indicators, and shifts in the interior design profession. Compiled by the ASID’s research and knowledge team, the report finds that health and wellness continue to dominate both residential and […]

Energy Department Announces $500M for School Upgrades

As part of the new Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a Request for Information (RFI) for a $500 million grant program from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for K-12 public school energy upgrades. According to the DOE, the program will help deliver cleaner and healthier classrooms, […]

The Importance of Achieving Optimal IEQ in Commercial Buildings with VRF Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of how building systems operate and impact occupant wellness. The average person is reading articles, watching videos, engaging in social media exchanges, and asking pointed questions. They want to know what building owners and facility managers are doing to provide healthy spaces to live, learn, work, and visit. Smart buildings […]

That’s a Wrap on FM Healthy Buildings Week

As FM Healthy Buildings Week comes to a close, we want to take a look back at all the offerings and events that transpired throughout this exciting event. Plus, you can now watch the free educational sessions on-demand!

cleaning

Back to Basics: Cleaning, Disinfecting, or Sanitizing? What’s Right for Your Facility?

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know.  It’s important to properly clean, disinfect, and sanitize to make buildings healthy. There is some confusion among the three terms, but it’s important to focus on cleaning and disinfecting unless your facility or local, state, or […]

What Are Healthy Buildings?

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 […]

Is It Time to Ditch Fluorescent Light Bulbs for LEDs? Environmental Study Makes the Case

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 […]

U.S. Green Building Council Applauds Biden’s National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

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 […]

Workers Worldwide Worry About Office Air Quality

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, […]

Top 10 States for LEED Buildings in 2021

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the ranking of its annual Top 10 States for LEED, with Illinois once again topping the list and demonstrating leadership in green building. Illinois certified 3.16 square feet of building space per person under LEED in 2021. LEED is the world’s most widely used green building program and was created by […]