Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
As life outside gets greener, spring is also a good reminder of the importance of green practices in facilities. HVAC systems use 40-50% of a commercial building’s energy, translating to high energy usage and significant greenhouse gas emissions. However, this also presents ample opportunity to find efficiencies. Balancing occupant comfort with sustainability is not always […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. I have a friend who is not a fan of public restrooms for obvious reasons. However, when nature calls, we all must listen. When we stopped at a recently renovated Interstate 95 service plaza, he was […]
Cold and cough season is officially here. As a facilities manager, it’s important to implement a rigorous cleaning plan at your building to remove dust, allergens, and infectious agents. It’s equally important to maintain well-stocked restrooms and break rooms, with soap and paper towels, to promote handwashing—one of the first lines of defense we have […]
Jessica Fumo, an award-winning facilities management leader, women’s advocate, and proud mother of three, said, “I strive to empower women to be fearless.” It’s a mission she inherited from her own mother and now carries out in the FM industry. It also likely helped Fumo win her brand-new board seat at the ConnexFM association. Fumo […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced “shocking” findings of a workplace safety investigation into a behavioral health and substance disorder facility in Jacksonville, Fla. According to the federal probe, workers at the UHS of Delaware Inc.-Wekiva Springs Center LLC (operating as Wekiva Springs Hospital) were assaulted, confined by patients, and suffered broken bones, […]
“Join the FM world—it is far more than what you may think it is!” Those are the upbeat words of Liz Bishop, an assistant facilities manager for Austin-based tech company Bazaarvoice. And she makes an excellent point—there’s no denying that facilities management is a challenging but rewarding career. As the business world evolves, so does […]
Many OSHA standards have requirements that must be fulfilled annually. In particular, OSHA’s fire safety standards have a number of inspection, testing, and training requirements that apply on an annual basis for certain facilities. Is your facility affected? Keep reading for a checklist of fire safety-related annual requirements.
Long before the pandemic, researchers knew that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) made workers sick and decreased cognition and attendance. A Harvard study of more than 3,000 workers showed that sick leave doubled among employees in poorly ventilated areas. Poor air IAQ has also been shown to decrease office workers’ cognitive function and decision-making, as well […]
In commercial facilities, green management practices play a crucial role in protecting the environment, enhancing human health, achieving economic savings, fulfilling social responsibilities, and ensuring long-term competitiveness and compliance. By embracing sustainable practices, these buildings not only contribute to a healthier planet but also create a safer, more efficient, and more appealing environment for all […]
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. The senseless killing of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in rural Georgia on Sept. 4 once again begs the question, “How do we stop these school shootings?” It seems we […]