Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Which clean energy technologies will help fuel a more sustainable future? Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are hard at work to answer that question. Meanwhile, Caroline Kelley, a senior facilities manager at NREL, is dedicated to providing the scientists with a safe and well-maintained work environment. Based in […]
The electrical grid in the United States – including generation, transmission, and distribution – is based on alternating current (AC). However, an increasing number of devices required by modern life (e.g. computers, mobile devices, and LED lights) run on direct current (DC), requiring that the power be converted before it can be used. As it currently […]
Renovating a facility is an exciting time filled with endless possibilities. But before you start tearing down walls and buying new furniture, there’s one important factor you need to consider: sustainability. Nowadays, more and more businesses are incorporating sustainable practices into their operations. And for good reason—sustainable business practices are good for the environment, good […]
In a move aimed at better protecting the health of custodial staff, federal employees, and the environment, the Biden administration is directing government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are free of toxic “forever chemicals.” This change is the result of a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the […]
At a retail facility in Indianapolis, the new tenants wanted to create more space in the older storefront to make room for their new tattoo parlor. To do so, they tore out the walls around the sprinkler control room and finished by hanging drywall over the sprinkler riser and control valve. The only access they […]
How do we achieve net zero? This is a key question that facilities managers and other stakeholders are increasingly being required to ask themselves. The world is evolving, and a central piece in this evolution is the shift toward net-zero carbon emissions. This is a marked shift from 10 years ago, when the focus was […]
Wildfires can happen at any time, though changes in land use combined with the steady and continuing rise of global temperatures over the past decades have helped create the perfect environmental conditions for them to thrive. To compound the problem, more and more people are living and working in communities where the risks posed by […]
Flood water, whether due to natural causes or infrastructure failure can have catastrophic effects when it comes to electrically powered equipment and appliances. It is always best to contact your supplier for proper procedures, but these tips can help you evaluate damaged electronics.
If your facility is subject to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection in the future, you may see a new tool in use. Last year, OSHA authorized its regional offices to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”) during workplace inspections.
For building and facility owners or managers striving to meet fire and safety codes, new “dual technology” exit signs are combining the efficiency of LED lighting with revolutionary new photoluminescent materials to increase reliability and performance over decades of use.