Tag: Wildfires

ASHRAE Releases Indoor Air Quality Guideline to Protect Against Wildfires

By Joe Bebon, Editor Dec 20, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Dec 20, 2024

As wildfires and prescribed burns increasingly impact communities worldwide, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published a new resource aimed at safeguarding indoor air quality (IAQ) during these events. ASHRAE Guideline 44-2024, Protecting Building Occupants From Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events, outlines best practices for building design, operation, and […]

How to Improve Business Continuity Through Employee Disaster Preparedness

By Tessa Baran, SBP May 17, 2024 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: May 17, 2024

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, and areas that haven’t experienced disaster events in the past are now facing unprecedented levels of risk. In 2023 alone, the U.S. experienced a staggering 28 separate disaster events, each costing at least $1 billion in damage. This trend is expected to continue with record-setting wildfires, extreme […]

Extreme Weather Events Likely to Accelerate Corporate Sustainability

By Joe Bebon, Editor Nov 2, 2023 Design and Construction

Updated: Nov 2, 2023

More than six in 10 organizations globally (62%) say recent wildfires, floods, and storms during 2023 will have a material impact on their environmental initiatives, according to the fifth edition of Honeywell’s Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI.) Another 45% admit the extreme heat will have or has already had a material effect on their near-term plans. Compiled […]

FEMA Offering Nearly $2 Billion for Climate Resilience Projects

By Joe Bebon, Editor Oct 16, 2023 Design and Construction

Updated: Oct 16, 2023

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is making $1.8 billion available for two grant programs designed to help communities increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change, including increasingly frequent and extreme weather events. Notably, the International Code Council (ICC) has praised FEMA for including a “historic investment in resilient building codes” as […]

Combat Wildfire and Infection Hazards with Good Indoor Air Quality

By Guy Burdick, Contributing Writer Sep 11, 2023 Heating and Cooling

Updated: Sep 11, 2023

How is the air quality inside your facilities? Is it time to reevaluate your HVAC systems and maintenance procedures? Proper ventilation and air filtration can lower indoor concentrations of both infectious disease particles and particulate matter from wildfires, protecting a facility’s employees, customers, and visitors. Particulate matter from wildfire smoke—material less than 2.5 micrometers in […]

Biden Administration Awards Nearly $3 Billion for Climate Resilience Projects

By Joe Bebon, Editor Aug 29, 2023 Design and Construction

Updated: Oct 9, 2023

Leaders from the U.S Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the White House announced the project selections for nearly $3 billion in climate resilience funding after record-breaking demand. Funded through two competitive grant programs, the projects will help communities across the nation enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events. The latest selections include […]

Amid ‘Unprecedented Destruction,’ NFPA Urges Comprehensive Action on Wildfire Protection

By Joe Bebon, Editor Aug 25, 2023 Design and Construction

Updated: Oct 9, 2023

Following the catastrophic Maui wildfires, which are among the deadliest in U.S. history, and with the state of Washington now grappling with its own destructive blazes, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging governments, communities, and individual property owners alike to take science-backed steps to prepare for wildfire, reduce risks, and support more robust […]

Improving Your Facility’s Security with Window Film

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor May 19, 2023 Safety

Updated: May 23, 2023

The right window film can improve the look of your facility, but more importantly, it can also protect occupants from outsider threats that are especially problematic to schools and retail stores, such as active shooters, civil unrest, and natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent over time. Jamie Hamilton, Senior Building Security, Energy, and Branding […]

FMs, Resilience, and Risk Management

By Jack Rubinger, ARC Facilities Apr 20, 2023 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Jun 6, 2023

Risk mitigation is the process of planning and developing options to reduce threats or risks to people. Resilience is the ability to learn, respond, reflect, and recover from emergencies. While risk mitigation activities are preventative, and resilience activities are reactive, both place serious responsibility on the shoulders of facilities management teams. What’s important in resilience […]

Air Quality ‘Report Card’ Ranks Most Polluted and Cleanest Places in U.S.

By Facilities Management Advisor Staff Apr 28, 2022 Safety

Updated: Apr 28, 2022

Countless studies have found that good indoor air quality is critical for facility occupants’ health. But are your facilities, themselves, located in a region with a dangerous amount of outside air pollution to combat? The American Lung Association has released its 23rd annual “State of the Air” report card, which tracks and grades Americans’ exposure […]