Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
On Sept. 27-29, thousands of industry professionals from across the globe converged on Denver for the International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) World Workplace Conference and Expo. The event offered educational sessions, networking opportunities, and more. On the closing day, IFMA announced the recipients of the 2023 Awards of Excellence. The annual awards recognize exceptional contributions to […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, this article focuses on workplace stress. There are many safety hazards to avoid in any given workplace, but stress may be the most insidious because it can lead […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $13 million in funding for 17 projects to implement energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience technologies at federal facilities across the country. According to the DOE, the projects will use energy performance contracts at no additional up-front cost to the government and will lower energy […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced plans to use $975 million in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding to upgrade federal buildings across the country with emerging and sustainable technologies. These plans are in line with President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14057, which launched the Federal Sustainability Plan and charged the federal government to “lead by […]
The buildings landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and staying ahead means more than just keeping the lights on. It requires a proactive approach, including embracing new technologies, adapting to regulatory changes, and reimagining traditional building operations. With innovation accelerating across every aspect of the built environment, facilities managers are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful […]
Facility management professionals should advocate that their workplaces and college campuses reconsider their physical spaces and invest in technology to help create safer environments. This would allow workers and students to feel safe to return to in-person experiences after they were forced to go remote because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those suggestions were detailed during […]
We’ve seen emissions rebound after dropping during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Transport has the highest reliance on fossil fuels, accounting for 37% of CO2 emissions from end-use sectors in 2021, while building operations accounted for 27% of total energy sector emissions (8% direct emissions and 19% indirect emissions from electricity production and heat use). […]
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced the first department-wide policy on body-worn cameras (BWCs) for its law enforcement officers and agents. The department’s plan will include a phased implementation of BWCs while working with Congress to secure the necessary funding to equip agents nationwide with the recording devices. The new policy […]
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its bi-annual Bug Barometer, which forecasts what Americans can expect from pest populations in their respective regions across the U.S. this spring and summer based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts, and pest biology. Due to the erratic weather experienced across the U.S. this winter and warm and wet conditions on […]
The Biden administration has announced new actions and resources to address the “alarming rise” of reported Antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents at schools and on college campuses since the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. These actions aim to help protect students, engage school and university leaders, and foster safe and supportive learning environments. President Joe […]