Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
While the open office was nearly killed by work-from-home policies during the COVID pandemic, the return-to-work movement is ushering in a rebound—making it clear that the open office isn’t dead, at least not yet. Despite decades of research finding that open office plans may be bad for companies, bad for workers, bad for health, and […]
As the year’s peak shopping season hits its stride, an inaugural Retail Worker Safety Report from Motorola Solutions found that many retail workers and managers perceive safety incidents at their stores are on the rise. The survey’s U.S. respondents reported that petty theft (54%), grab-and-run incidents (35%), and hostile customer interactions (31%) have increased in their stores over […]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is making $1.8 billion available for two grant programs designed to help communities increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change, including increasingly frequent and extreme weather events. Notably, the International Code Council (ICC) has praised FEMA for including a “historic investment in resilient building codes” as […]
The University of Richmond’s Eco-Corridor, an 18-acre restoration, was an old road, previously ignored, a “place of possibility,” said Rob Andrejewski, the university’s director of sustainability. Opened in 2020, the project includes an extensive stream restoration, the planting of 25,000 grasses, shrubs, and trees, invasive species removal, new trails, plus picnic tables, a learning lab, […]
The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 (FY26) proposed budget defunds the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and directs the CSB to use its emergency funds to shut down operations by the end of 2025. The CSB is tasked with investigating incidents and hazards resulting from the production, processing, and handling of chemical substances that […]
As a facilities manager in the U.S., are you facing the same major problems as your colleagues across the pond? A new survey of 750 European FM professionals reveals that mental health is the biggest challenge they face, with 39% pinpointing it as a critical issue. According to the Voice of the Facility Manager report from real estate […]
Energy use is a significant percentage of an airport’s operating costs—as much as 10-15% of these facilities’ entire operating budget. Upgrading to LED luminaires greatly reduces airports’ energy consumption because, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they use up to 75% less energy than traditional luminaires. LED luminaires also reduce maintenance costs because they […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Now that spring is here, most of us are looking forward to warmer weather. But first, it’s time for facility spring cleaning! Every facility has its own unique needs based on its type, whether it’s educational, […]
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 […]
With warmer weather on its way, now is the ideal time for facilities to add coil cleaning to the spring-cleaning checklist. Conducting maintenance helps to ensure that HVAC systems are operating efficiently, and clean coils are a large contributor to keeping equipment running smoothly. “Effectively cleaning your coils can have a big impact on reducing […]