Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
It’s important for facility managers to be ready for any emergency, and that includes preparing for weather emergencies. So, when that dreaded alert from the National Weather Service pops up on your computer or phone: “Area Flood Warning” predicting storm activity such as high winds and heavy, sustained rainfall for your area, will your team […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) again cited discount retailers Dollar Tree and Dollar General for blocked exit routes in their stores. On April 24, the agency announced it’s seeking $770,136 in penalties for hazards related to obstructed exits, unsafe storage of materials, fire, and other hazards at Dollar Tree stores in East Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode […]
A Michigan paper mill recently had to close for intensive cleaning following an outbreak of workplace fungal infections. There were 21 confirmed cases, including 1 fatality, and 76 people at the mill were classified as having probable cases of blastomycosis. Fungal diseases like blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), and histoplasmosis can infect anyone, according to the […]
The modern facility manager is at a bit of a cultural crossroads where new ideas and expectations about how a building should function bump up against older designs, and of course, budgetary concerns. Concerns about money and wanting to get the most out of existing furniture and fixtures are legitimate but attracting younger workers to […]
The Biden administration has taken an important step forward to decarbonize all U.S. federal facilities, with two major agencies launching a request for information (RFI) to help meet the clean energy goal. Issued by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the RFI aims to gather market information and […]
California utility San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced that it has successfully deployed an innovative technology that enables eight electric school buses to put electricity back on the power grid when needed, such as on hot summer days. A collaborative effort between SDG&E, the Cajon Valley Union School District, and locally based technology company […]
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which has screened higher passenger volumes this summer and a record-breaking 3 million passengers on Sunday, July 7, intercepted 3,269 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first half of 2024. The first half of the year ended June 30, and the total represents an average 19 firearms detected per […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $104 million for energy conservation and clean energy projects at 31 federal facilities, with more funding on the way. The projects align with President Joe Biden’s goal for the federal government to “lead by example” on sustainability. This represents the first of three disbursements from $250 million […]
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. It wasn’t long ago that Republicans and Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly supported tax incentives and other economic carrots encouraging investment in homegrown energy industries to boost energy security and affordability. That bipartisan tradition ended […]
There have been a number of advances in security technology, particularly in relation to sensor technology, that are being realized in ways that make the lives of facility managers easier. But what exactly is a “smart” sensor?