Category: Maintenance and Operations

How BIM Becomes More Powerful With AI

Facilities managers are feeling increasing pressure to limit operational expenses and maintain aging buildings efficiently. Building information modeling (BIM) already serves as the digital underpinning for facility life cycle management. BIM, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), is a more responsive technology that can analyze building data and support smarter decision-making. Why BIM Is Ready for […]

Beyond the Filter: Finding Labor and Cost Savings in Your HVAC Filtration Program

A large office complex recently issued a request for bids for filter maintenance. The scope called for 2,100 filter changes twice a year. When the facilities manager ran the numbers, he realized the program consumed roughly 400 labor hours annually. By optimizing the filter specifications and maintenance strategy, he determined he could cut that in […]

OSHA’s Renewed Warehouse Enforcement Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently renewed its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for warehouses and distribution centers. The new NEP replaces the agency’s July 13, 2023, directive. Significant changes in the new directive include: According to an August 6 announcement on OSHA’s website, under the renewed NEP, the agency will conduct comprehensive inspections focused […]

K-12 Schools Across America Are Adopting Solar Energy

More than 10,800 K-12 schools representing 7+ million students across the United States now use solar energy, helping schools lower electricity costs, invest more resources in students, and strengthen their communities, according to a new report from clean energy nonprofit Generation180. The sixth edition of Brighter Future: The State of Solar & Battery Storage in U.S. […]

Why Office Restroom Cleaning Costs Are Circling the Drain

How often are commercial office restrooms cleaned? Most facilities managers can quickly provide a date and time for each cleaning while others may say it depends on use and need. Which manager is more cost-effective without compromising the tenant or user experience? If you are like 66% of facilities managers, you may believe it’s the […]

An Important Announcement About Facilities Management Advisor

After careful consideration, HCI has made the decision to discontinue Facilities Management Advisor, effective October 1. We are grateful to our readers, industry professionals, and sponsors for their support and contributions to the publication over the years. While Facilities Management Advisor is coming to an end, HCI remains committed to providing valuable insights, research, and […]

Understanding the Growing Role of Drones in Facilities Management

From construction sites and building maintenance to HVAC inspections and asset monitoring, drones are becoming valuable tools for facilities professionals. While adoption continues to grow, many misconceptions remain about what drones can do, where they provide the greatest value, and how they’re likely to shape the future of facilities management. For facilities professionals, the real […]

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 […]