Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
As we entered 2024, many facilities professionals made New Year’s resolutions to boost their careers. Some will be going back to school to get a college degree in facilities management or a specialty such as sustainability or operations management. Others will be taking classes, or simply studying on their own, so they can gain the […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its annual list of U.S. states leading the way on green buildings, and New York topped the list for the first time during a record-breaking year in 2023. The USGBC ranking is based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified gross square footage per capita over […]
Linda Besetzny oversees facilities management on a global scale, which poses unique challenges but offers rewarding opportunities. And with over 25 years of industry experience, she has a long list of achievements and interesting stories to share. Besetzny is the director of global facilities at R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest and largest independent […]
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS), alongside White House officials, unveiled its first set of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its South Atlanta Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC). Charging stations like these will be installed at hundreds of new S&DCs across the country throughout the year and will power what will be the nation’s largest […]
Risk management for facilities managers has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. What was once centered on physical concerns like injuries, security, and equipment failures now encompasses a broader range of challenges. The evolving landscape demands a more comprehensive and adaptive approach to risk management, encompassing digital, environmental, and public health considerations to mitigate […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Region 2 office has launched a regional emphasis program (REP) to reduce worker fatalities and injuries in the tree and landscape services industries in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the agency announced January 11. The new REP includes two elements: “We want to make […]
School custodians play a vital role in creating a successful learning environment—inside and outside the classroom. However, their extensive schedules and strenuous duties often go unnoticed. To honor exceptional school custodians, Cintas Corp. has launched its 11th annual Custodian of the Year contest and is seeking nominations through Feb. 9. “Custodians are the force behind a […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $104 million for energy conservation and clean energy projects at 31 federal facilities, with more funding on the way. The projects align with President Joe Biden’s goal for the federal government to “lead by example” on sustainability. This represents the first of three disbursements from $250 million […]
As office, governmental, and educational facilities age, facilities managers face difficult decisions about what to do with these structures. They often face three options: renovate, rebuild, or demolish the aging structures altogether. Any of those choices comes with a hefty price tag that organizations and companies must consider before making their next move. While removing […]
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has released the latest version of its energy efficiency standard for existing buildings, with an expanded focus to incorporate building decarbonization. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 100-2024, Energy and Emissions Building Performance Standard for Existing Buildings is a code-ready building performance standard that provides processes and procedures for reducing energy consumption […]