Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
On March 1, President Joe Biden and other officials marked the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and honored its workforce. Following the September 11 attacks, former President George W. Bush established DHS by signing the Homeland Security Act of 2002. On March 1, 2003, 22 agencies unified under a single […]
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the nation’s fourth-largest school district, has announced plans to spend $76.3 million on security cameras over three years. The initiative calls for adding new cameras and replacing outdated ones in an effort to ensure that all elementary and high schools in the district have state-of-the-art systems. “As a district, we remain […]
To both minimize fire risks and avoid civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance, facilities managers must ensure their workplaces meet applicable fire safety codes. A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) official recently spoke with Facilities Management Advisor about the importance of following the law and what facilities managers should look out for. “Facility managers have […]
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in close coordination with state and local officials, is leading federal efforts to ensure the safety and security of employees, players, and fans during Super Bowl LVII. Earlier this week, DHS Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas visited Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona, to inspect security operations and meet with law […]
Federal prosecutors have charged a Florida man and Maryland woman with conspiracy to destroy an energy facility. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that the defendants—Brandon Clint Russell, reportedly a neo-Nazi leader, and Sarah Beth Clendaniel—planned racially motivated attacks on multiple electrical substations in an effort to “completely destroy” the city of Baltimore. The […]
Facilities managers should work with security professionals on developing an adequate security plan to protect the perimeter of their properties. Each property is unique, so highly secure locations, like military installations, will have a different plan than areas open to the public, like shopping centers. 1. Vehicle Access Control Highly secure facilities should consider installing […]
Honeywell recently released its predictions for emerging trends that will help shape building operations and technologies in 2023 and beyond. Top company experts revealed insights on opportunities to make buildings more sustainable, safer, and occupant focused. Honeywell’s predictions for 2023 include both ongoing and burgeoning trends: The Acceleration of the ‘Electrify Everything’ Movement Communities across the […]
City officials have announced completion of a $2.4 million project to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems atop six New York City Fire Department (FDNY) firehouses in Queens and Brooklyn. In addition to generating emissions-free energy, these systems will use battery storage to ensure that the firehouses remain operational during blackouts, brownouts, or storms if electric […]
Did you follow the details of workplace shootings in 2022? A supervisor buys a handgun before his shift, shoots and kills a handful of coworkers, and then shoots himself. A gunman armed with a semiautomatic rifle enters a Buffalo, New York, grocery store, killing 10 patrons. Another enters a Colorado Springs, Colorado, LGBTQ nightclub and […]
As we start 2023, facility managers will continue to face the challenge of improving sustainability and resilience. Whether the driver is climate change, government regulation, civil unrest, or an uncertain economy, facility leaders will need to find new and innovative approaches to reduce energy consumption, improve building perimeter security, and create beautiful spaces. But if […]