Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
A large office complex recently issued a request for bids for filter maintenance. The scope called for 2,100 filter changes twice a year. When the facilities manager ran the numbers, he realized the program consumed roughly 400 labor hours annually. By optimizing the filter specifications and maintenance strategy, he determined he could cut that in […]
More than 10,800 K-12 schools representing 7+ million students across the United States now use solar energy, helping schools lower electricity costs, invest more resources in students, and strengthen their communities, according to a new report from clean energy nonprofit Generation180. The sixth edition of Brighter Future: The State of Solar & Battery Storage in U.S. […]
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. In many commercial buildings, the HVAC system is not broken. The plant runs. Occupants are mostly comfortable. The building automation system (BAS) shows no obvious crisis. However, the utility bill may still be higher […]
As the U.S. faces a historic skilled trades labor shortage, the Lowe’s Foundation has announced the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition to help train and develop 1 million people for skilled trades careers by 2035. The national alliance is backed by over 75 American educators, businesses, workforce organizations, industry vendors, and stakeholders across the skilled […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. Astronomical SpaceX Investments Elon Musk, recently crowned the world’s first trillionaire, was busy highlighting two huge facility investments for his SpaceX company in August. (That’s in addition to crashing a SpaceX rocket into the moon.) In Louisiana, […]
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. With the increasing energy supply volatility today, renewable power is one of the key differentiators for commercial and industrial facilities in managing operational cost fluctuations. Integrating solar or wind power into a building energy […]
Hotel equipment failures disrupt operations and drain budgets through emergency contractor fees and damaged customer satisfaction ratings. Preventive upkeep flips this dynamic by catching problems before they escalate into costly crises. Facilities managers who implement structured maintenance programs see reduced overhead, improved guest experiences, and better protection of their property investments. The True ROI of […]
As schools return to full capacity, it’s a perfect time to reinforce proper hygiene practices. Sofidel, a provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, has shared tips that schools can implement to help reduce the spread of germs throughout the school year. “Healthy schools begin with consistent hygiene habits,” said Tahnie Gilliland, marketing specialist […]
Empty schools can look quiet during summer break, but their roofs, plumbing, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems remain active. With fewer people present to notice a musty odor, a stained ceiling tile, or water under a mechanical unit, a small moisture problem can spread for days or weeks. The U.S. Environmental Protection […]
Renovation and expansion projects are massive undertakings that require a coordinated effort across service providers, from construction crews that build these structures from the ground up to interior designers responsible for finishing touches. While these projects are essential for keeping facilities functional and efficient, they generate large amounts of waste that can result in project […]