Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
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 morning looks like any other: elevators moving, tenants badging in, the lobby filling with familiar faces. Then—gunfire erupts in the lobby. Security scrambles for their radio. By the time 911 confirms, chaos has […]
The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University has published new research in partnership with the Security Industry Association (SIA) that examines school safety in the United States and how schools can prevent, mitigate, and reduce the impact of active shooter events. The study, titled “The Role of Locked Doors and Access Control in School-Based […]
‘Tis the season for “best-of” lists! As 2025 comes to a close, we at Facilities Management Advisor take a look back at some of our most-read (and -watched) content of the year. The top 10 list covers key industry trends ranging from office space and security to tech and workforce issues. 1. Preparing for Gen […]
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Ohio school leaders can now apply for a share of $9.01 million in grants for safety-related projects for the 2026-27 academic year. The funding, approved by the 136th General Assembly as part of House Bill 96, can be used for a wide range of school safety needs. Ohio is one […]
More than three-quarters of Americans (77.4%) believe gun detection technology should be deployed in schools, workplaces, and other public spaces like houses of worship, according to a new report from Eagle Eye Networks. The national survey, which polled over 1,000 consumers in 10 major cities, shows strong support for incorporating camera-based gun detection into existing video […]
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are in a unique position relative to active shooter threats and other types of workplace violence. As opposed to other types of critical infrastructure such as banks and factories that are tightly locked down under multiple layers of security, hospitals are generally open and accessible to nearly all members of […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission vacated an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Duty Clause citation of a security firm following a mass shooting at a Boise, Idaho, shopping mall. In the February 5 decision, a review commission administrative law judge (ALJ) concluded that the Department of Labor (DOL) didn’t establish the necessary […]
In a recent school pilot, a robot patrolled Santa Fe High School around the clock to survey the sprawling campus for potential threats and send messages to authorities—even enabling a remote security team to question an intruder. Robots on school grounds are only one of many ways that American schools can keep students, staff, and […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. Workplace violence has been a major concern for businesses for years now, but it’s especially topical as some states begin passing legislation requiring workplaces to have violence prevention plans in place. While the settings and requirements vary, […]
Securing K-12 school buildings is a critical responsibility for facilities managers. With increasing concerns about school safety, implementing electronic access control (EAC) systems has become a best practice. A layered security approach, starting from the outside and moving inward, is recommended to ensure comprehensive protection. This method enhances security and allows for phased implementation, making […]