Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Disasters are, for the most part, unpredictable, but there are steps that you can take that will improve your chances to survive and get back in business faster. Some of these measures require purchases while others can be completed in-house with the staff and materials at hand.
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 […]
During the opening keynote session of Facilities Management Advisor’s FM Now: Healthy Buildings virtual summit, “Connecting the Dots: Moving Toward an Integrated Approach to Healthy and Sustainable Reporting for Buildings,” the topic of healthy buildings was discussed, including the financial and employee benefits of healthy facilities, how healthy buildings can combat climate change, ways healthy […]
For many, mobile phones are the center of their world. They have endless capabilities and functions, which has led to their use in many industries. Security is one of the many industries that has utilized the abilities of mobile technologies to their advantage. Many modern security technologies now come with mobile phone enablements. Mobile phones […]
Following “overwhelming demand,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 67 applicants to receive about $965 million in grants through the Clean School Bus Program. That’s more than double the $400 million in grants initially planned when the EPA called for applications in April 2023. The funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, […]
In all likelihood, you’ve noticed—and participated in—the shift toward green facility management over the recent years. One overlooked aspect of sustainability is keeping things green even before a facility starts being used. By ensuring new facilities are built with sustainable principles, they are better suited to fit in with existing infrastructure. While it can be […]
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has announced the member-elected executive committee and appointees to the global board of directors for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Effective July 1, Christa Dodoo, CFM, FMP, CIWFM, CMQ-OE, begins her term as board chair. She is joined by First Vice Chair Luis R. Viña and Second Vice Chair Wayne […]
Our first environmental enforcement report for August 2018 highlights the importance of running a compliant facility. Below, we present five recent cases—two of which resulted in penalties of over $1,000,000. These kinds of fines are a good reminder of the importance of environmental compliance to a facility’s bottom line.
What constitutes a zero-emissions building? The Biden administration is working to create a national, standardized, and verifiable definition for all stakeholders. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed Part 1 of a draft national definition for zero-emissions buildings and is now seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders through […]
A facilities manager (FM) is expected to wear a lot of hats, from operations manager to strategic planner and technical expert to human resources leader. With so many spinning plates, it’s unsurprising that a recent study found that some FMs and staff have left or considered leaving their jobs. This isn’t just about hard work; […]