Category: Maintenance and Operations

Faces of Facilities: Kyle Rager on Investing in People

The best facilities managers don’t just keep buildings running—they help people succeed, too. Kyle Rager is proof of that. Early in his career, mentors recognized his potential and encouraged him to take on bigger challenges. Now, after more than 15 years in the profession, he believes one of the most important responsibilities of an FM […]

The Shifting State of Retail Safety and Security

Retail store theft levels are stabilizing, but external theft and fraud overall continue to rise, according to a new study released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council. In addition, workplace violence remains a major concern for retailers. The Impact of Theft & Violence 2026 report found that retailers experienced a […]

Are Office Investments Keeping Up with Attendance Demands and AI Shifts?

U.S. companies are increasing expectations for employees to work from the office, with 89% of respondents in CBRE’s 2026 Office Occupier Sentiment Survey requiring at least three in-office days per week, up from 78% a year earlier. Despite the focus on office attendance, only 14% of companies are making major improvements to their space, suggesting […]

The Execution Gap: Smart Buildings Still Fail When People Are in the Loop

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.  The smart buildings industry has made significant investments in sensors, dashboards, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). By 2030, this investment is projected to exceed $200 billion. Over 70% of new commercial […]

Healthcare Group Recognized for Excellence in Facilities Management

The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association, announced Geisinger is the winner of the 2026 Excellence in Health Care Facility Management (FM Excellence) Award. Each year, the FM Excellence Award recognizes individuals or facilities teams that implement new or innovative programs or processes to optimize […]

American Lung Association Calls on Schools to Join Indoor Air Quality Challenge

Every day in schools across the country, millions of children and adults are impacted by poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Though IAQ is a top environmental risk to public health, more than half of K-12 schools do not have IAQ management plans to proactively address air quality risks. To help create healthier learning environments for […]

Back to Basics: How Exterior Glass Maintenance Supports Better Workplaces

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Facilities teams are constantly balancing competing priorities. From HVAC systems and lighting upgrades to landscaping, safety inspections, and tenant satisfaction, there’s never a shortage of items requiring attention. Yet one area that often receives less consideration than it […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of July 2026

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. New Life for Vacant Office Return-to-work mandates and other factors have helped the office market rebound post-COVID, but there still remains a lot of unused or underutilized office space across the country. To revive vacant properties, many […]

OSHA inspector

How Facility Teams Can Document Building Inspections More Effectively

You walk a 200,000-square-foot building, photograph a cracked expansion joint on the roof, a dripping valve in the mechanical room, and a blocked fire exit on the third floor, then move on. Three months later, an insurer asks you to prove you flagged that exit and that a contractor cleared it. You have 80 photos […]

7 Ways AI Can Optimize a Retail Facility’s Maintenance Strategy

Retail facilities depend on reliable building systems to keep stores safe and efficient. Maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, refrigeration units, lighting, and other critical assets is essential for minimizing disruptions, controlling operating costs, and creating a positive customer experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping facilities managers take a more proactive approach by analyzing […]