Category: Maintenance and Operations

New Orleans Convention Center Earns Rare Second LEED Gold Certification

In recognition of its sustainability achievements, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has earned its second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it one of only two convention centers in the country to be certified Gold twice in a row. LEED is a globally recognized building rating system […]

Back to Basics: Common Rooftop Hazards and Fall Protection Solutions

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. One of the first steps in establishing a successful fall protection program is identifying all fall hazards that exist inside, outside, and on top of your facility. Each facility is different and will have their unique hazards, […]

FM Industry Welcomes the 2025 Class of IFMA Fellows

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the world’s largest FM organization, has announced the 2025 Class of IFMA Fellows. Bestowed with the association’s highest honor, Laurie Gilmer, Benjamin Goudy, and Frank Ngoh join an elite group of leaders who serve as IFMA advisors and ambassadors, furthering the interests and influence of the association and the […]

How AI Can Transform Facilities from Major Energy Drains to Sustainable Buildings

Commercial buildings and infrastructure are responsible for a staggering 40% of global carbon emissions, a figure that puts facilities managers on the front lines of the climate challenge. While the buzz around artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has captured headlines, the real transformative power for commercial facilities lies in another category of AI: predictive and […]

Top 10 Cities for Disease-Carrying Pests as U.S. Faces ‘Perfect Storm’ of Conditions

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its Public Health Pest Index, a bi-annual forecast identifying the U.S. cities most at risk for pest surges through the remainder of summer and into fall. This critical report comes as extreme weather patterns nationwide have created optimal conditions for disease-carrying pests, placing millions of Americans in greater […]

Why Smart Building Data Isn’t Smart, and How AI Can Help

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. Industrial organizations and building operators are rapidly adopting smart building technologies. From HVAC systems and lighting controls to advanced energy management solutions, facilities are evolving into connected ecosystems to boost efficiency, productivity, and operational […]

How Smarter Indoor Air Quality Is Redefining the Healthcare Environment

Patient care is a priority for healthcare organizations, but budget constraints can keep many operating with outdated facilities management systems. These systems are not seen as directly impacting patient outcomes, so they can fall to the end of the list for investment. This is a missed opportunity because modern building management systems that monitor and […]

NFPA Survey Reveals AI and Training Trends in Skilled Trades

An overwhelming majority (95%) of skilled trade professionals believe that artificial intelligence (AI) has a purpose in at least some day-to-day job functions, and 39% are hopeful that AI will spur industry growth and make the trades more appealing to the younger, tech-savvy workers. That’s according to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) third annual industry […]

WVU Research on School Absences Links Dirty Air to Empty Desks

As the school year begins in many areas, new West Virginia University (WVU) research finds poor air quality may keep tens of thousands of students out of school for weeks each year, hitting young students and children of color the hardest. A study by Mustahsin Ul Aziz, a doctoral student in natural resource economics at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture […]

The Deferred Maintenance Crisis: How K-12 Districts Can Overcome a Growing Backlog

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. Recently, U.S. schools received a D+ grade on the 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card. This was disappointing, but to anyone who keeps tabs on K-12 facilities management, it likely […]