Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Did you know that nearly a third of non-residential building fires are caused by cooking? In 2022 alone, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recorded 129,500 non-residential fires, totaling nearly $4 billion in losses. Busy commercial kitchens, packed with countless pieces of equipment, are especially vulnerable—and a lack of routine maintenance makes that vulnerability all the […]
In these pandemic days, everyone is talking about hybrid workplace arrangements. Nearly three-fourths of companies say they’re using or planning to use a hybrid work model, yet few articles are discussing how hybrid work will affect the role of facility managers. Hybrid working affects facility managers’ jobs in unique ways, and they will need to know how […]
Globally, commercial buildings are experiencing a number of dynamic challenges. Following the impact of the COVID pandemic, tenant needs and behaviors have drastically changed. The cost of property has grown as interest rates continue to escalate in an ongoing effort to curb inflation. At the same time, the energy crisis has raised operating costs and […]
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. Buildings represent more than 40% of U.S. carbon emissions, and natural-gas-fired HVAC, water heating, cooking, and other systems represent the largest fraction. With a growing profile of electric products entering the market, […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 43 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 20 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, promotion, selection, and use of cleaners, detergents, and other products with safer chemicals. The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers at facilities find […]
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has announced its member-elected executive committee and appointed members of its global board of directors for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Led by Chair Dean Stanberry, CFM, SFP, who begins his term July 1, the board will concentrate efforts on ensuring facility management professionals worldwide have the resources and support to advance […]
Regardless of whether former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidential election in November, a coalition of green building advocates is calling on the next administration to help address several commercial real estate (CRE) challenges. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), New Buildings Institute (NBI), Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), and Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) partnered to release a […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2021. Los Angeles leads with nearly 650 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. Close behind is Washington, D.C., with nearly 500 buildings, followed by Atlanta in third place. […]
During the ISC West trade show in Las Vegas, the Security Industry Association (SIA) announced the 2025 winners of the SIA New Products and Solutions (NPS) Awards. Since its inception in 1979, the flagship awards program has recognized innovative security products, services, and solutions. Top among the winners were Vaidio for the 2025 Best New Product Award; Robotic Assistance […]
Are water features wasteful? It’s a common misconception that indoor and outdoor water features are not sustainable amenities. Many managers and owners of commercial facilities are surprised to learn that not only can attractive and captivating water features be operated with minimal waste or harm to the environment—they can actually help improve a building’s energy […]