Category: Maintenance and Operations

HVAC Energy Savings Need an Owner

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. In many commercial buildings, the HVAC system is not broken. The plant runs. Occupants are mostly comfortable. The building automation system (BAS) shows no obvious crisis. However, the utility bill may still be higher […]

Lowe’s Foundation Launches Cross-Sector Skilled Trades Coalition

As the U.S. faces a historic skilled trades labor shortage, the Lowe’s Foundation has announced the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition to help train and develop 1 million people for skilled trades careers by 2035. The national alliance is backed by over 75 American educators, businesses, workforce organizations, industry vendors, and stakeholders across the skilled […]

Back to Basics: How Facilities Teams Can Keep Shared Devices Ready for Use

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. A shift is about to begin, but an inspection tablet has a dead battery. The spare is locked in an office, and the person with the key has not arrived. The building is open and fully operational, […]

Why Mechanical System Upgrades Need More Than the Lowest Bid

The engineered systems and infrastructure that regulate the environment inside a building are essential for the successful operation of a large facility. As technology, connection, compliance and customer expectations evolve, keeping those systems up to date becomes an urgent responsibility for today’s professional facility operators. Upgrading a facility’s mechanical systems to meet the highest standards […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of August 2026

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. Astronomical SpaceX Investments Elon Musk, recently crowned the world’s first trillionaire, was busy highlighting two huge facility investments for his SpaceX company in August. (That’s in addition to crashing a SpaceX rocket into the moon.) In Louisiana, […]

Hedging Energy Inflation: Why Renewables Are the Ultimate Risk Management Tool

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.  With the increasing energy supply volatility today, renewable power is one of the key differentiators for commercial and industrial facilities in managing operational cost fluctuations. Integrating solar or wind power into a building energy […]

NFPA Report: AI and Training Are Top of Mind for Skilled Trade Workers

The National Fire Protection Associations (NFPA) has released its fourth annual industry survey report. The survey found that skilled trade workers are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools, while recognizing continued investment in training, professional development, and industry collaboration will be critical to meeting heightened work demands amid ongoing workforce shortages. Conducted at the 2026 NFPA […]

Water Alone Is Not a Heat Safety Plan

In April, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its National Emphasis Program on heat-related hazards. The revised program directs inspections and outreach for 55 high-risk industries in both indoor and outdoor work settings, including “warehousing and storage” under NAICS code 4931. Why does this matter for facilities managers? Because workers in warehouses, manufacturing […]

How to Establish a Hotel Preventive Maintenance Strategy

Hotel equipment failures disrupt operations and drain budgets through emergency contractor fees and damaged customer satisfaction ratings. Preventive upkeep flips this dynamic by catching problems before they escalate into costly crises. Facilities managers who implement structured maintenance programs see reduced overhead, improved guest experiences, and better protection of their property investments. The True ROI of […]

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5 Back-to-School Hygiene Tips for Healthy Buildings

As schools return to full capacity, it’s a perfect time to reinforce proper hygiene practices. Sofidel, a provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, has shared tips that schools can implement to help reduce the spread of germs throughout the school year. “Healthy schools begin with consistent hygiene habits,” said Tahnie Gilliland, marketing specialist […]