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 […]
OSHA reports that Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs is one of its most popular guidance publications. The agency originally published this document in 1988 and issued the first update in October 2016. In that revision, OSHA stated that much had changed over the preceding 28 years in the nature of work, conditions in […]
Considered a rising star in the facilities management industry, Jessica Bickel loves taking on challenges, learning new skills, and making valuable connections. One prominent industry veteran called Bickel “an example of the future of FM.” Bickel currently serves as Facilities Coordinator for Reece Group USA, a Dallas-based supplier of plumbing, kitchen, appliance, and HVAC products […]
For those who might have missed it, the Nov. 3, 2021, broadcast of Good Morning America had a fascinating segment about the steps New York City is taking to protect the city, its residents, and of course, its scores of buildings from the progression of climate change. According to the segment, Hurricane Sandy, which in […]
Ensuring the safety of the people who occupy your facilities should be your No. 1 goal. A safe facility generally means that the people working there are doing better work. Those who come to work feeling safe can apply all their energy to the task at hand instead of worrying about whether something bad will […]
A new survey reveals that while many U.S. businesses are embracing smart building technology to increase energy efficiency and lower costs, they may fall short of their goals due to an inability to master the data. Toggled, a building management solutions company and wholly owned subsidiary of Altair, recently surveyed more than 500 U.S. facility decision-makers throughout […]
What is a predictive maintenance model, and how can converting to it help your organization’s bottom line? These questions were explored in a recent Facilities Management Advisor webinar entitled “Predictive Maintenance: Why You Should Consider It,” sponsored by TMA Systems. The session featured Joe McVay, Product Manager for TMA Systems, who has over 10 years […]
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 […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. $11B Chip Factory Texas Instruments (TI) broke ground on its new 300-mm semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Lehi, Utah. Dubbed LFAB2, the facility will connect to TI’s existing wafer fab in Lehi and ultimately help the company manufacture tens […]
In early October, a major bird-collision event occurred in Chicago. While there were other collisions across the city, one building, McCormick Place, killed nearly 1,000 migrating birds in a single night. Although weather patterns played a role, McCormick’s reflective glass walls and bright lighting are known to be the problem. Collisions with glass result in […]