Category: Maintenance and Operations

Common Overhead Door Failures That Create Safety and Compliance Risks 

By Justin Alquist, Alpha Overhead Doors Apr 6, 2026 Maintenance and Operations

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Industrial facilities management isn’t just about keeping the lights on; it’s about ensuring the heavy machinery overhead doesn’t become a hindrance to safety or compliance. In high-traffic warehouses and logistics hubs, commercial doors serve as the primary gateways for revenue, yet they remain one of the most overlooked mechanical assets on the balance sheet. When these massive steel barriers fail, the impact goes beyond repair costs. Breakdowns can lead to […]

The Building Systems Nobody’s Securing

By Jeremy Ventura, Myriad360 Apr 3, 2026 Building Controls

Updated: Apr 3, 2026

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. I was on a call with an operations director at a big ag plant. She’d been running the place for years, knew her equipment inside and out. Her question was one I hear in […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of March 2026

By Joe Bebon, Editor Apr 1, 2026 Design and Construction

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. UConn Stadium Makeover Among other things, March is known for the beginning of spring, Women’s History Month, and of course, college basketball. As both its men’s and women’s teams fought their way to the March Madness Final […]

5 Tech Strategies to Enhance Springtime School Maintenance

By Zac Amos, Contributing Writer Mar 31, 2026 Grounds Management

Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Spring brings a fresh set of opportunities for K-12 facilities managers to strengthen campus performance. As schools transition from cooler months and prepare for increased outdoor use, maintenance teams can use advanced technologies to improve efficiency, optimize resources, and support safe learning environments. By integrating tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence […]

5 Critical Post-Flood Environmental Risk Assessments

By Dr. Michael Berg, Pace Analytical Services Mar 30, 2026 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Mar 30, 2026

As the spring flooding season returns, commercial, rental, and private property owners face more than visible water damage. Hidden contamination in air, building materials, and water systems can create health risks, regulatory issues, and tenant concerns if not properly addressed. Targeted environmental testing after a flood helps:  In this post, we highlight five key areas for facilities managers to evaluate during post-flood cleanup. […]

ESFI: Contact with Electricity Remains a Leading Work Hazard

By Guy Burdick, Contributing Writer Mar 27, 2026 Maintenance and Operations

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Contact with electricity or exposure to it remains one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the United States, according to an analysis recently released by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). ESFI gathered data on fatal and non-fatal occupational electrical injuries from the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Occupational Safety […]

Faces of Facilities: Stephen Odom on Trades-Based Leadership

By Joe Bebon, Editor Mar 26, 2026 Faces of Facilities

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Stephen Odom, a senior facilities manager at Papa Johns, believes having a strong background in skilled trades can set you up for success in facilities management—especially when it comes to working under “extreme” pressure. Odom’s own background includes about 20 years in the commercial mechanical industry, with previous roles such as regional HVAC manager, national […]

Electrical Preventive Maintenance: A Four-Tier Audit Template to Avoid Downtime

By Veselina Lezginov, Arrow Electric Mar 25, 2026 Energy Management and Lighting

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Unplanned downtime is one of the most expensive problems a facility can face. According to ABB’s Value of Reliability report, two-thirds of companies deal with unplanned downtime at least once a month, at a median cost of $125,000 per hour. Electrical system failures are a leading contributor to that figure, yet the vast majority are […]

When Safety Tech Fails Underground: How to Improve Connectivity in Parking Garages

By Craig Gillespie, Airtower Networks Mar 24, 2026 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

An incident unfolds in a parking garage. Someone is assaulted. A medical emergency occurs. The immediate response is to call 911, yet the call will not connect. This scenario is not hypothetical. Facilities managers and technology leaders regularly report persistent signal gaps in below-grade structures. One client described it as a recurring concern: not whether […]

How Predictive Maintenance Reduces Unplanned Downtime in Manufacturing Facilities

By Ariel Santamaria, Advanced Technology Services Mar 23, 2026 Maintenance and Operations

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Manufacturing facilities managers understand that even a singular issue, such as a broken bearing in a machine, can disrupt operations. It’s the kind of issue that can shut down an entire manufacturing operation and rack up serious costs fast.  Keeping a large manufacturing facility running means finding tiny cracks before they turn into huge holes. Standard upkeep usually follows a rigid calendar, which often relies on averages rather than real-time equipment […]