Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
If you own a hospital, factory, or another large-scale commercial or industrial entity, you likely have a lot on your plate. In addition to making sure that all operations are running smoothly, you also need to worry about the construction and maintenance of your building. While construction and maintenance might not seem like a huge […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of up to $32 million to address indoor air pollution at K-12 schools in “overburdened communities.” The announcement comes just days after the EPA awarded nearly $1 billion for zero- and low-emission school buses. This new funding opportunity is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and […]
A new report from Guidehouse Insights explores the global market for building digital twins. A digital twin is a digital replication of a real-world asset that offers a real-time reflection of the asset’s status. For buildings, this is a three-dimensional model of all building systems and architectural features. According to the report, the building digital twins market […]
In September 2023, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its highly anticipated draft of LEED version 5, the latest iteration of the world-renowned green building certification. This first update focuses specifically on the operations and maintenance (O&M) of existing buildings. To help us learn more about the update and what it means for facilities […]
Following “overwhelming demand,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 67 applicants to receive about $965 million in grants through the Clean School Bus Program. That’s more than double the $400 million in grants initially planned when the EPA called for applications in April 2023. The funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic among every industry. For example, the tech dominated the security industry’s recently released 2024 megatrends. And the case is no different in facilities management (FM), with industry insiders citing AI as one of the top opportunities for the year ahead. Nonetheless, studies have shown most people worry about […]
There are obvious warning signs indicating a commercial elevator needs maintenance and regular inspections. Failing to maintain an elevator is not just a safety issue but also a violation of the law, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, which require specific elevators based on facility type and size and number of floors. Unless the […]
The U.S. Department of Education announced eight new grant awards totaling more than $37 million over five years under the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program and one new grant for $10 million over five years under the National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) program. According to the department, this $47 million investment bolsters the capacity of states to […]
In 2023, facility and maintenance managers saw the emergence of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, new environmental sustainability regulations, and higher-than-ever customer expectations. With so many conflicting priorities, it is easy for facilities professionals to feel their heads spin. In a recent survey of manufacturing and facilities management companies, maintenance professionals report a heavy focus […]
What constitutes a zero-emissions building? The Biden administration is working to create a national, standardized, and verifiable definition for all stakeholders. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed Part 1 of a draft national definition for zero-emissions buildings and is now seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders through […]