Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
As the school year begins in many areas, new West Virginia University (WVU) research finds poor air quality may keep tens of thousands of students out of school for weeks each year, hitting young students and children of color the hardest. A study by Mustahsin Ul Aziz, a doctoral student in natural resource economics at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture […]
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. Recently, U.S. schools received a D+ grade on the 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card. This was disappointing, but to anyone who keeps tabs on K-12 facilities management, it likely […]
Robotics in cleaning have moved from a futuristic idea into everyday operations across industries. From warehouses and schools to retail and healthcare facilities, autonomous cleaning is gaining traction fast with over half-a-million robotic cleaning systems projected to be in use by 2030. Amid this rapid adoption, facility teams are finding that making robotics work for […]
U.S. companies made significant progress in the past year in achieving their office attendance goals and enforcing their attendance policies, moving closer to cementing long-term work guidelines than at any time since the pandemic upended traditional work routines in 2020. CBRE’s 2025 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey of office-using companies found that 72% of the […]
From overseeing the maintenance, security, and overall functionality of a building and its grounds, the responsibilities of a facilities manager can quickly become overwhelming if you’re also dealing with external forces that impede operational efficiencies. Alongside overseeing technical staff and building maintenance teams, facilities managers are often responsible for keeping outdoor grounds in good shape. […]
No building is completely safe from natural disaster. Even facilities that are carefully maintained and safeguarded by rigorous safety precautions may still experience the results of fire or flooding. Such unwelcome events can compromise not only the infrastructure of the facility, but also the contents inside—with damage potentially extending to electronics, office supplies, furniture, and […]
Facilities managers looking for high-impact sustainability upgrades are turning to an often-overlooked fixture: the urinal. The shift toward waterless urinals, specifically, appears to be gaining momentum across commercial real estate, education, and healthcare sectors. This is because managers are under increased pressure to reduce water usage, trim utility expenses, and meet growing environmental compliance standards. […]
Building drawings and facility information have long been undervalued, often relegated to storage rooms or legacy systems, considered a necessary cost rather than a strategic asset. However, this information is far more than a historical archive. It is the foundation for ongoing operations, informed decision making, and long-term resilience. As buildings age and evolve, the […]
What makes a great restroom? After launching a nationwide search for America’s best public restroom of 2025, an annual contest by Cintas has narrowed the competition down to nine finalists and is asking the public to vote for this year’s top winner. Now in its 24th year, the competition celebrates innovative and hygienic public restrooms […]
For decades, facilities managers (FMs) have been the unsung heroes of commercial and retail buildings, ensuring comfort, safety, and operational continuity behind the scenes. However, as the built environment faces the mounting pressures of rising energy costs, ambitious sustainability goals, and the challenge of “doing more with less,” the FM role is undergoing a deep […]