Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
For a long time, facility management was a predominantly reactive practice. Major decisions, processes, and activities occurred after the fact. For instance, maintenance would happen reactively, or FMs would take action to remedy situations or improve processes only after they observed a problem in the facility. Doing things this way left too much room for inefficiencies. […]
If you’re looking for a mundane career of predictability, facilities management probably isn’t for you. In fact, one of Amber Gratkowski’s favorite things about the FM industry is that every day on the job is different. Gratkowski works as the Facilities Manager of the Central Campus at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC). The commission is […]
California utility San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced that it has successfully deployed an innovative technology that enables eight electric school buses to put electricity back on the power grid when needed, such as on hot summer days. A collaborative effort between SDG&E, the Cajon Valley Union School District, and locally based technology company […]
A nongovernmental task force recently recommended that building owners begin taking four steps to address SARS-CoV-2 infection risks in schools and workplaces: verifying building systems are performing as designed, increasing outdoor air ventilation, upgrading air filtration, and deploying portable air cleaners where needed. The Lancet COVID-19 Commission’s Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and […]
The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled the scope and first renderings of a multiyear $300 million privately funded renovation that will transform Rogers Centre from a stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernizing the fan experience and building world-class player facilities. “We are committed to building a sustainable championship organization for years to come, and this renovation to Rogers Centre will […]
In the wake of the Uvalde school shooting tragedy, the Door and Hardware Institute, in conjunction with the Door Security & Safety Foundation (DSSF), released the following joint statement: On July 12, NBC News published an article highlighting a basic security feature that is lacking in more than a quarter of all schools across the country—classroom doors […]
An elderly but long-time Californian remembers 1976 as a fun year. The economy was finally pulling out of a recession that started in 1973. The Watergate “nightmare,” as then-President Ford called it, was behind us. And Californians were having a lot of fun with—of all things—a drought that year. They made up comical jingles to […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a Notice of Intent (NOI) to provide $225 million for states and local governments to expand the implementation of the latest building energy codes and support the development of buildings that use less energy. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Building Energy Codes: Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation […]
Weather, structural movement, and stress are constantly attacking your commercial roof. While normal aging will occur on all roofs, problems stemming from neglect, abuse, contamination, or accidents, if not detected early, can result in extensive, costly repairs or premature failure of the roofing system. Plan and start an inspection program during the first year your […]
Nearly 30 energy efficiency projects totaling more than $230 million are in development across 13 City University of New York (CUNY) campuses, according to the New York Power Authority (NYPA). As the nation’s largest urban public university, CUNY has seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges, and seven graduate or professional institutions spread across New York […]