Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
In late 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Renew America’s Schools federal grant program, enacted to set aside $500 million for energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, building insulation, and renewable energy sources for K-12 schools in need. The goal is for these major investments to lead to healthier learning environments and lower energy […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. Another winter, another story of electric space heaters being recalled or starting fires. Newer electric heaters include a host of precautionary safety measures, but older models might be carried into your facility by a chilly colleague who […]
When facilities managers and property owners examine their annual budgets, electrical maintenance often falls into the category of “predictable expenses.” However, what many fail to recognize is that inadequate maintenance isn’t just a cost-saving measure—it’s a costly gamble that can lead to catastrophic consequences for both operations and human safety. Highlighting this critical issue, the […]
As climate change reshapes our world, the demand for environmentally responsible building practices has never been more urgent, especially given that the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry contributes more than 37% of global carbon emissions. A new focus on sustainable construction is emerging, with a particular emphasis on the critical role of embodied carbon. […]
The commercial building management industry is poised for transformation as advanced technologies and data-driven insights redefine building management. Mastering these resources is more critical than ever, considering that 80% of buildings operating in cities today are expected to still exist in 2050. Facilities management is increasingly a strategic area for organizations. However, facilities managers, whether […]
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. Recently, car rental powerhouse Hertz decided to dump about 20,000 electric vehicles (EVs) from its fleet of rental vehicles. This decision came only two short years after the company made a deal with Tesla […]
Making your facility sustainable through solar power has many benefits beyond the immediate and long-term impacts to your bottom line. It’s helpful to the local and global environment through a reduction in your carbon footprint, and it makes a statement to the communities in which you operate. Although solar installations are typically associated with roofs, […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Did you know that one dripping faucet could waste 3,000 gallons of water per month in your office facility, while a running toilet could waste 10 times as much? Using a rate of $0.00295 per gallon, […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Do you work in noisy facilities or around loud equipment? All of the human senses must be protected from hazards and damage in the workplace, including hearing. According to OSHA, the CDC estimates that about 22 […]
When we think about green buildings, we imagine clean-cut modern designs, spacious aired lobbies, solar panels installed on rooftops, large windows, and vertical gardens. But the hard truth is that what makes a building green is not just its final look. The World Green Building Council explains that buildings account for 39% of global energy-related […]