Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
California has reported the country’s first positive hantavirus rodent detection of 2026, a stark reminder that this relatively rare but deadly disease remains an active threat. The disease gained renewed attention last year following the tragic death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of legendary actor Gene Hackman, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). “Rodent-borne diseases didn’t disappear after last year’s tragedy,” said […]
The buildings landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and staying ahead means more than just keeping the lights on. It requires a proactive approach, including embracing new technologies, adapting to regulatory changes, and reimagining traditional building operations. With innovation accelerating across every aspect of the built environment, facilities managers are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful […]
The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education has awarded $244.4 million in capital facilities grant funding from two state-backed, revolving bond programs for higher education. A total of 92 projects across 23 colleges and universities have received funding to address deferred maintenance, enhance campus safety, and upgrade student facilities. Sheryl Stitt, executive […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Ask facilities managers about their biggest operational challenges, and staffing consistently ranks near the top. Cleaning teams face unique pressures—and the consequences show up everywhere, from inconsistent cleanliness to rising costs to guest complaints. […]
University campuses generate data from countless sources—A/V and lighting systems, HVAC equipment, cameras, and various other sensors. Yet many of these technologies operate in silos, forcing employees to monitor them individually across multiple platforms. The result is slower response times, added complexity, and limited visibility into overall campus operations. When data is unified, employees gain […]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will spend $4.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 to modernize, repair, and improve healthcare facilities as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) program, which makes infrastructure improvements to healthcare facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care. This is the largest single-year NRM […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the global developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the independent body that administers LEED certifications, have announced their annual Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED ranking outside the United States for 2025. While the U.S. remains the […]
Not being compliant isn’t some clever cost-saving strategy. Regulators are not only watching; they’re charging more than ever. For example, new penalties announced at the beginning of 2025 for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) violations are now capable of reaching more than $1 million per incident, and that’s before you even think about legal […]
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the organization behind the WELL healthy building certification standard, has revealed two new ratings designed to help real estate owners and operators deliver on investor and tenant demands for healthier buildings. Now open for enrollment, the WELL Real Estate Rating focuses on enhancing base building infrastructure while the WELL […]
Once on the Trump administration’s chopping block, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program lives on after Congress recently approved $33 million to fund the program for fiscal year 2026. The bill, H.R. 6938, was signed into law on Jan. 23, following bipartisan approval from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The […]