Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
School buildings—even the most modern—often utilize construction features that can allow radon gas to accumulate to dangerous levels. To make matters worse, the long hours spent at school and schoolchildren’s unique vulnerabilities to radioactive particles have the potential to make radon especially dangerous in schools. As those responsible for managing school facilities seek to protect […]
Water systems are among the most essential—and least visible—components of any facility. Pipes, valves, pumps, and recirculation loops work quietly behind walls and below floors, delivering water for sanitation, heating, cooling, and daily operations. Because these systems often function behind the scenes, they tend to receive less attention than HVAC or electrical systems—until a failure […]
Behind every high-performing building lies an unsung hero: the central plant. These mechanical nerve centers—clusters of chillers, boilers, pumps, and cooling towers—quietly provide heating and cooling to hospitals, airports, campuses, and other complex facilities. When everything hums along, hardly anyone gives them a second thought. But when a pump fails or a chiller trips, the […]
The buildings landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and staying ahead means more than just keeping the lights on. It requires a proactive approach, including embracing new technologies, adapting to regulatory changes, and reimagining traditional building operations. With innovation accelerating across every aspect of the built environment, facilities managers are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful […]
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 […]
The U.S. office vacancy rate reached another all-time high in the second quarter of 2025 at 20.7%, as Moody’s recently reported. That’s the highest vacancy rate in three decades, ABC News reported, with more than 900 million square feet of empty office space—enough to fill New York City’s One World Trade Center 300 times. U.S. […]
As buildings seal up for colder months and occupants spend more time indoors, indoor air quality (IAQ) is becoming harder to ignore. What was once treated as a background mechanical function is now shaping comfort, complaints, and confidence in shared spaces. For facilities managers, this shift presents a growing challenge. People are making decisions about […]
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is a critical but unevenly addressed public health issue. Poor IAQ negatively impacts asthma, absenteeism, and learning outcomes. However, state laws addressing school IAQ vary widely. To help move states toward comprehensive protections, the American Lung Association has released a new report, “A Win-Win for Lung Health: How Policies […]
New Year’s resolutions are a great opportunity to set professional goals. Are you looking to hone your facilities management skills, boost your career, or stand out in a competitive job market in 2026? Earning an industry certification can not only sharpen your FM expertise but also help you climb that company ladder or become a […]
Facilities managers are used to wearing a dozen hats—problem-solver, safety officer, IT liaison, compliance expert. But today, that job’s gotten even tougher. Whether you’re running a school, hospital, office, or government building, your to-do list includes safety, air quality, compliance, and keeping everything running smoothly with fewer hands on deck. Video surveillance systems have long […]