Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) are growing exponentially, with no signs of slowing down. The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that by 2026, power consumption related to AI, cryptocurrency, and the data centers necessary to power our increasingly automated world could double. AI-driven demand is only one cause of rising energy prices. Power […]
Like many industries, facilities management has traditionally relied on labor-intensive tasks, where reactive responses to issues make up the bulk of the work. When it comes to managing maintenance schedules or tracking equipment performance, various inefficiencies and downtime can occur, which is where artificial intelligence (AI) agents can be impactful. Recently, a survey from Forbes […]
Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has become the first school district in Georgia with an all-green school bus fleet, serving its 25 daily bus routes exclusively with zero- and ultra-low-emission buses. Blue Bird Corp. recently delivered five electric and 12 propane-powered school buses to the district. WCS said its new fleet will significantly improve air quality for students and […]
Congratulations! You rocked 2024 by working hard and honing your skills. With a new year upon us, do you plan to become an even better facilities manager in 2025? In Part 1 of this series, a handful of past “Faces of Facilities” guests shared their New Year’s resolutions. If you haven’t yet picked a goal […]
Covering everything from maintenance and security to technology and construction, 2025 predictions abound in the facilities management industry. But what do facilities managers, themselves, hope to accomplish in the new year? The start of every year represents an opportunity for new beginnings or ambitious goals. Given how demanding and all-encompassing facilities management can be, even […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Amazon have entered into a corporate-wide settlement to help better protect employees from hazardous working conditions leading to serious lower back and other musculoskeletal disorders at Amazon facilities. The settlement agreement resolves the department’s multiple ergonomics cases against Amazon.com Services LLC, in the first major multi-site investigation […]
Facility maintenance teams are on the brink of a transformative year in 2025, with emerging industry trends shaping how they manage resources and technology. With an aging workforce and growing operational challenges, facility maintenance teams must adapt to remain effective and resilient. From preserving institutional facility knowledge to navigating supply chain disruptions and leveraging artificial […]
Demand for commercial building electrification has been growing over the past decade as organizations aim to reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient. By electrifying systems such as HVAC, water heating, and cooking, building owners and organizations have been able to achieve benefits such as increased energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and safer […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened applications for the 2025 Renew America’s Schools Prize, which will offer $90 million for facility upgrades that improve health, safety, and energy costs in K-12 public schools across America. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this third round of funding builds on $178 million awarded in 2023 and […]
As wildfires and prescribed burns increasingly impact communities worldwide, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published a new resource aimed at safeguarding indoor air quality (IAQ) during these events. ASHRAE Guideline 44-2024, Protecting Building Occupants From Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events, outlines best practices for building design, operation, and […]