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WVU Research on School Absences Links Dirty Air to Empty Desks

As the school year begins in many areas, new West Virginia University (WVU) research finds poor air quality may keep tens of thousands of students out of school for weeks each year, hitting young students and children of color the hardest. A study by Mustahsin Ul Aziz, a doctoral student in natural resource economics at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture […]

The Upcoming Demise of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 (FY26) proposed budget defunds the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and directs the CSB to use its emergency funds to shut down operations by the end of 2025. The CSB is tasked with investigating incidents and hazards resulting from the production, processing, and handling of chemical substances that […]

How Should Hospitals Prepare for Active Shooter Threats?

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are in a unique position relative to active shooter threats and other types of workplace violence. As opposed to other types of critical infrastructure such as banks and factories that are tightly locked down under multiple layers of security, hospitals are generally open and accessible to nearly all members of […]

The Deferred Maintenance Crisis: How K-12 Districts Can Overcome a Growing Backlog

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Recently, U.S. schools received a D+ grade on the 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card. This was disappointing, but to anyone who keeps tabs on K-12 facilities management, it likely […]

Aloha, Sustainability! Hilton Renovation in Hawaii Earns Green Building Certification

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort announced that its newly renovated Tapa Tower has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This marks the first LEED-certified tower within the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio, an independent spin-off from hospitality giant Hilton. “We see the achievement of this LEED […]

What Facility Teams Should Know About Making Cleaning Robots Work

Robotics in cleaning have moved from a futuristic idea into everyday operations across industries. From warehouses and schools to retail and healthcare facilities, autonomous cleaning is gaining traction fast with over half-a-million robotic cleaning systems projected to be in use by 2030. Amid this rapid adoption, facility teams are finding that making robotics work for […]

U.S. Employers Tighten Grip on Office Attendance Goals, Finds CBRE Survey

U.S. companies made significant progress in the past year in achieving their office attendance goals and enforcing their attendance policies, moving closer to cementing long-term work guidelines than at any time since the pandemic upended traditional work routines in 2020. CBRE’s 2025 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey of office-using companies found that 72% of the […]

Making the Case for Robotic Mowers in Landscaping

From overseeing the maintenance, security, and overall functionality of a building and its grounds, the responsibilities of a facilities manager can quickly become overwhelming if you’re also dealing with external forces that impede operational efficiencies. Alongside overseeing technical staff and building maintenance teams, facilities managers are often responsible for keeping outdoor grounds in good shape. […]

How Facilities Managers Can Recover Damaged Assets Fast after Fire and Flood

No building is completely safe from natural disaster. Even facilities that are carefully maintained and safeguarded by rigorous safety precautions may still experience the results of fire or flooding. Such unwelcome events can compromise not only the infrastructure of the facility, but also the contents inside—with damage potentially extending to electronics, office supplies, furniture, and […]

How Waterless Urinals Can Help Boost Building Sustainability

Facilities managers looking for high-impact sustainability upgrades are turning to an often-overlooked fixture: the urinal. The shift toward waterless urinals, specifically, appears to be gaining momentum across commercial real estate, education, and healthcare sectors. This is because managers are under increased pressure to reduce water usage, trim utility expenses, and meet growing environmental compliance standards. […]