Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Building drawings and facility information have long been undervalued, often relegated to storage rooms or legacy systems, considered a necessary cost rather than a strategic asset. However, this information is far more than a historical archive. It is the foundation for ongoing operations, informed decision making, and long-term resilience. As buildings age and evolve, the […]
There is no such thing as perfect, airtight security. This is a hard truth that facilities managers have to accept. Any security setup is going to have gaps somewhere. Our job is to minimize those gaps to reduce the odds of a malicious actor slipping through and help keep the facility safe amidst a rising […]
Facilities managers face daunting challenges in the calmest of times, but even more so as emergencies like natural disasters are becoming more frequent. But with the right tools, like a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), FMs can centralize all the information they need in one accessible place. CMMS are likely to become used more in […]
Industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent decades, transitioning from basic protective gear to sophisticated, essential equipment that does more than just sit on one’s head. Helmets, safety harnesses, and clothing have evolved into interconnected systems capable of real-time monitoring, data collection, and predictive analytics. Today’s PPE landscape is transforming […]
As the Atlantic hurricane season intensifies, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is urging petroleum and chemical facilities to prepare now to help prevent catastrophic chemical releases during the season and to ensure the safety of workers, emergency responders, and surrounding communities. In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted […]
Facilities today face increasing challenges, from managing security across sprawling campuses to ensuring operational efficiency in the face of rising costs and evolving threats. Meeting these demands requires smarter, more adaptable tools, and video surveillance has emerged as a critical solution. Driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technology, and innovative hardware, surveillance systems […]
Just as commercial real estate (CRE) began to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the industry is now entering a new era of financial pressures. Driven by an uncertain economy, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and a more conservative insurance underwriting landscape, property insurance premiums are climbing at an alarming rate. In Q1 2024, commercial […]
Emergencies in the healthcare service industry—natural disasters, infrastructure failures, or cyberattacks—can occur at any moment. To navigate these disruptions, organizations rely on emergency management (EM) plans. A powerful yet often underutilized tool in these plans is your computerized maintenance management software (CMMS). A CMMS can help facilities create comprehensive emergency plans (including ensuring the plan […]
Did you know that workplace violence resulted in the death of 524 workers in 2022? This was a 9% increase compared to 2021. Unless urgent measures are taken, workplace violence will persist, and innocent lives will be lost. One effective solution to ensure that workplace violence is reduced is the use of duress systems. This article will […]
On May 14, facilities managers across the globe get the credit they’re due on World FM Day. This year’s theme, “Resilience in Action: Thriving in a World of Change,” shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes who keep our built environments safe and efficient, no matter the challenge. Much of the facilities manager’s work goes […]