Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
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 […]
Electric utilities, water authorities, and energy providers operate some of the most critical infrastructure in the country. Substations, pumping stations, and transmission facilities are designed for reliability and efficiency, not for absorbing hostile fire. Yet over the past several years, gunshot attacks against these sites have increased, exposing a security gap that many facilities teams […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Are you and your employees prepared for cold winter temperatures and extreme weather hazards? Even if your facility or worksites are outside the country’s “snow belt,” you need to be mindful of cold-weather hazards. Workers unaccustomed to […]
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 […]
As buildings seal up for colder months and occupants spend more time indoors, indoor air quality (IAQ) is becoming harder to ignore. What was once treated as a background mechanical function is now shaping comfort, complaints, and confidence in shared spaces. For facilities managers, this shift presents a growing challenge. People are making decisions about […]
It’s amazing what some people try to sneak past security at facilities, especially airports! To highlight some of the bold, dangerous, and just plain old weird items travelers bring through airport checkpoints across the country, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) releases a Top 10 Best Catches list and related video annually. Earning the No. 1 […]
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is a critical but unevenly addressed public health issue. Poor IAQ negatively impacts asthma, absenteeism, and learning outcomes. However, state laws addressing school IAQ vary widely. To help move states toward comprehensive protections, the American Lung Association has released a new report, “A Win-Win for Lung Health: How Policies […]
When you think of a building, you probably think of a lifeless, static structure. And while that’s technically true, modern-day technology is transforming buildings into something more “alive.” Backed by Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and data integration, buildings are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating intelligent ecosystems where every system—down to the HVAC, security, and lighting—is […]
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. Economic conditions don’t just change balance sheets—they change behaviors, operating rhythms, and the amount of “slack” organizations have to absorb disruption. That’s why I believe 2026 will be a year when facility security becomes […]