Amid rising electricity costs and a volatile macroeconomic environment, facilities managers and commercial building owners across the United States are seeking reliable, energy-efficient solutions that consistently support both employees and customers. One increasingly popular strategy is the installation of high-efficiency heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) to reduce energy consumption and improve overall building performance. Heat […]
On this latest episode of FMA Shorts, Melissa Sokolowsky, a senior project manager at the Smart Buildings Center, discusses the elements that make up a smart building. This clip was taken from a webinar titled, “From Brick to Click: The Rise of Smart Building Tech in FM.” The full session is available for FREE on-demand […]
Just as the autumn air turns chilly and colder temperatures become the norm, the ramp-up of the holiday shopping season brings ever-larger crowds of people into shopping centers and outlet malls. For facilities managers, ensuring consistent comfort across high-traffic areas is a top priority. In some cases, it can also be a major challenge. While […]
Vermont schools are working to create asthma-friendly learning environments by improving indoor air quality, reducing asthma triggers, and training staff to help students manage their symptoms. “Asthma can cause missed school days, make it difficult to concentrate, limit play and sports, and just make it harder for kids to learn and enjoy their time at […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Last year, wildfires tore through vast areas of Los Angeles, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to introduce a waiver to exempt rebuilt structures and residences from the city’s all-electric building provision, citing the need to […]
A facilities manager (FM) is expected to wear a lot of hats, from operations manager to strategic planner and technical expert to human resources leader. With so many spinning plates, it’s unsurprising that a recent study found that some FMs and staff have left or considered leaving their jobs. This isn’t just about hard work; […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. The recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City led to dozens of hospitalizations and multiple fatalities. This incident is part of a concerning trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of […]
At the United Nations during Climate Week, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), alongside nearly 170 global leaders from public health, academia, civil society, building science, real estate, and industry—representing over 30 countries—announced the formation of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air. According to the commission, indoor air pollution represents a major public health crisis, […]
Traditionally, facilities management focused on operational efficiency—that is, keeping buildings running smoothly while controlling costs. Today, a new framework is reshaping this role: environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. This shift places facilities managers at the center of corporate strategy by transforming the physical assets they’ve always controlled into critical components for achieving a company’s […]
As facilities managers tasked with balancing energy efficiency and security, you’ll find that artificial intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools to streamline operations, cut costs, and enhance resilience. Here are proven, practical strategies to harness AI for smarter energy management while bolstering facility security and control. 1. Predictive Maintenance for HVAC and Equipment One of the […]
