Tag: HVAC

EPA Celebrates $34M in Grants to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools

By Joe Bebon, Editor Nov 11, 2024 Green Building

Updated: Nov 11, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated $34 million in Inflation Reduction Act grants awarded to five organizations to help school districts across the country improve indoor air quality (IAQ). EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz recently joined the grantees at Horatio B. Hackett School in Philadelphia to congratulate them on their awards, underscore the importance of IAQ, and highlight previous school efforts. “EPA is proud to […]

Back to Basics: Combatting Winter Respiratory Disease Season with Indoor Air Quality

By Guy Burdick, Contributing Writer Nov 1, 2024 Back to Basics

Updated: Nov 1, 2024

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. Now that fall has arrived, are you ready for this year’s winter respiratory disease season? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections will lead to a […]

Pennsylvania Awards Schools $175M for Facility Improvements

By Joe Bebon, Editor Oct 24, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Oct 24, 2024

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved 208 investments in school projects, totaling $175 million, under the new Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program. Launched earlier this year as part of the 2023-24 state budget, the new program provides grants of up to $5 million to public school districts and career […]

How Can Facilities Managers Navigate the Latest Technology?

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Oct 1, 2024 Building Controls

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Using technology to make work more efficient is the reality in every industry, and it is necessary to help organizations succeed. But while some have embraced tech, others have been hesitant to implement it into their workflows. Facilities managers (FMs) may wonder how to effectively use technology for building operations, what tech skills and knowledge […]

ASHRAE Program Certifies Inaugural Group of Decarbonization Professionals

By Joe Bebon, Editor Sep 13, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Sep 13, 2024

In facilities management, industry certifications can be a great way to expand your expertise, advance your career, and stand out to current and future employers. Several organizations already offer a number of certifications to consider, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is adding another to the list. ASHRAE is proud […]

Get Your Best Facilities Workers by Promoting Within

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Sep 10, 2024 Heating and Cooling

Updated: Sep 10, 2024

Looking for the perfect candidate to take care of your facilities? Rather than trying to recruit open positions externally, organizations should provide career development opportunities for their current facilities employees. That’s what Facilities Director Ken Midgett, with over 40 years of facilities management experience, and Facilities Maintenance Market Director Dan Clapper, with over 25 years […]

4 Actionable Steps to Prevent Facility Disruptions

By Arno Bischoff, R&K Solutions Sep 4, 2024 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Sep 4, 2024

An unanticipated facility disruption can have staggering costs and take a severe toll on property stakeholders. By prioritizing disruption prevention and implementing proactive strategies, you can significantly mitigate the risk of such events, making them less inevitable and more manageable. Easy-to-implement strategies to prevent facility disruptions range from regular maintenance checks to advanced planning and emergency […]

EPA Funds $34M to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Schools

By Joe Bebon, Editor Aug 28, 2024 Green Building

Updated: Aug 28, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected five groups to receive $34 million in grants for projects helping address indoor air pollution in K-12 schools in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities across the country. This announcement comes after the agency revealed $26 million in funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools […]

Back-to-School Projects to Prepare Your Educational Facilities

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Aug 15, 2024 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Aug 15, 2024

Facilities managers are busily getting their schools, colleges, and universities ready for classes to resume. No matter the type of educational facility they manage, all need to be properly maintained. That’s why we’re reviewing several back-to-school projects that facilities managers should ensure are on their checklists for clean and safe buildings for the new academic […]

8 Ways to Assess Your Readiness for a Power Outage

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Aug 7, 2024 Access Control

Updated: Aug 7, 2024

Would you be ready for a power outage at your facility if it happened today? Before the power goes out, you need to assess whether your facility can ensure business continuity during an outage. Power outages can be less stressful and manageable with the right prep. Here are 8 questions facilities managers should ask themselves […]