Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
U.S. Steel Corp. faces $118,214 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines for seven serious violations and one other-than-serious violation related to an explosion at its Clairton Coke Works plant last August, the agency announced Feb. 18. OSHA investigators concluded that U.S. Steel and MPW Industrial Services Inc., the cleaning services contractor, exposed workers […]
Have you ever strained to understand an announcement in an airport or missed critical instructions over a facility’s intercom? These moments of audio confusion are more than minor frustrations. In environments where safety, efficiency, and coordination are vital, the clarity of sound systems is a direct contributor to operational performance. The requirement for precise, intelligible […]
On February 4, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video on its investigation into the fatal combustible dust explosions and fires at the Didion Milling facility in Cambria, Wisconsin, on May 31, 2017. Five of the 19 employees working on the night of the incident were killed. The other 14 were […]
The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education has awarded $244.4 million in capital facilities grant funding from two state-backed, revolving bond programs for higher education. A total of 92 projects across 23 colleges and universities have received funding to address deferred maintenance, enhance campus safety, and upgrade student facilities. Sheryl Stitt, executive […]
When you think of a building, you probably think of a lifeless, static structure. And while that’s technically true, modern-day technology is transforming buildings into something more “alive.” Backed by Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and data integration, buildings are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating intelligent ecosystems where every system—down to the HVAC, security, and lighting—is […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Have you ever walked into a building and felt immediately safe and organized? From clean hallways to working elevators, much of that confidence comes from compliance frameworks quietly working behind the scenes. A fire alarm that sounds […]
Although Santa is busy double-checking his Naughty or Nice List, he recently gifted Facilities Management Advisor an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at major upgrades planned for the North Pole! Learn more in this special holiday edition of our “Under Construction” series. Totaling 333 million Reindeer Bucks (nearly 1 billion U.S. dollars), the project aims to ensure […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. For commercial facilities, effective fire detection guidelines are not just a safety measure—they are a necessity. The U.S. Fire Administration 2023 Fire Estimate reported that over a 10-year span in nonresidential buildings, there were 110,000 fires, 130 […]
It’s 2:00 a.m. and an alarm sounds at a distribution center. The police respond as soon as they can, employees are notified as quickly as possible, and managers brace for news of theft or vandalism. Only, it turns out to be a false alarm triggered by a roving street cat. Nothing stolen, nothing damaged, only […]
Is your facility in one of the country’s most rat-infested cities? Just in time for Halloween, Orkin has released its annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List, which includes a shake-up in rankings for 2025. The pest management company also highlighted the hazards of a rodent infestation, warning signs to look out for, and prevention tips. As Orkin’s […]