Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The carbon emissions associated with materials used in the built environment, referred to as “embodied carbon,” are estimated to contribute up to 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions. According to a new report from sustainable development consultancy Arup, developed on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), California is one of the first states in […]
As June 1 marked the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, businesses must revisit and reinforce their storm preparedness strategies. The looming threat of severe weather calls for thorough planning to mitigate potential disruptions. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) anticipate an “above normal” hurricane season, projecting up to 25 named storms, 13 of […]
Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has become the first school district in Georgia with an all-green school bus fleet, serving its 25 daily bus routes exclusively with zero- and ultra-low-emission buses. Blue Bird Corp. recently delivered five electric and 12 propane-powered school buses to the district. WCS said its new fleet will significantly improve air quality for students and […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. Now that we are in the middle of summer with warmer temperatures as the norm, you might have noticed pests entering your facility. But where are they coming in, you might ask? More than just a nuisance, […]
Healthy buildings mean healthy people. A person’s environment has a major impact on mental and physical well-being, so it’s incumbent upon facilities managers to help protect building occupants and provide a positive experience. Join Facilities Management Advisor throughout Healthy Buildings Week 2023, Aug. 14-18, for FREE educational webinars and resources exploring the many tools available […]
Dangerous chemicals necessitate adequate security to mitigate risks. If you are a facility with a chemical designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a chemical of interest (COI), you may only have 60 days after taking possession of the COI to initiate a security screening process under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards […]
On Dec. 6, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on the deadly explosions and fires at the Didion Milling Inc. dry corn milling facility in Cambria, Wis. The May 2017 explosion fatally injured five employees and seriously injured another 14. The incident destroyed the facility, resulting in over $15 million […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the author’s 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 […]
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released findings from its latest “Fire Loss in the U.S.” report, which shows that the total number of U.S. fires overall rose 8% from 2019 to 2020. While some year-to-year fluctuation is normal, NFPA said this increase reflects a “far from typical” year due to the pandemic. “In […]
There is no such thing as perfect, airtight security. This is a hard truth that facilities managers have to accept. Any security setup is going to have gaps somewhere. Our job is to minimize those gaps to reduce the odds of a malicious actor slipping through and help keep the facility safe amidst a rising […]