Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
No building is completely safe from natural disaster. Even facilities that are carefully maintained and safeguarded by rigorous safety precautions may still experience the results of fire or flooding. Such unwelcome events can compromise not only the infrastructure of the facility, but also the contents inside—with damage potentially extending to electronics, office supplies, furniture, and […]
Building drawings and facility information have long been undervalued, often relegated to storage rooms or legacy systems, considered a necessary cost rather than a strategic asset. However, this information is far more than a historical archive. It is the foundation for ongoing operations, informed decision making, and long-term resilience. As buildings age and evolve, the […]
What makes a great restroom? After launching a nationwide search for America’s best public restroom of 2025, an annual contest by Cintas has narrowed the competition down to nine finalists and is asking the public to vote for this year’s top winner. Now in its 24th year, the competition celebrates innovative and hygienic public restrooms […]
For decades, facilities managers (FMs) have been the unsung heroes of commercial and retail buildings, ensuring comfort, safety, and operational continuity behind the scenes. However, as the built environment faces the mounting pressures of rising energy costs, ambitious sustainability goals, and the challenge of “doing more with less,” the FM role is undergoing a deep […]
Amid growing concern about Legionnaires’ disease, especially with recent outbreaks in New York City and parts of Ohio, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is offering guidance to help mitigate risks and support building safety. Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, is most commonly associated with water systems […]
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. As global awareness of environmental and social issues grows, more consumers are prioritizing companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. In fact, 78% of consumers worldwide say that purchasing ethically […]
U.S. employers spend $58.78 billion annually on worker injuries, insurer Liberty Mutual announced July 15 with the release of its 2025 Workplace Safety Index. The top 10 causes of serious workplace injuries account for over 86%, or $50.87 billion, of the total cost. Liberty Mutual has compiled its index for 25 years, identifying the top 10 […]
Industry-wide demand is mounting to rethink how we create energy-efficient, comfortable, and smart buildings. More facilities managers are turning to technology to help create smart building systems that use real-time data to adjust temperature and lighting, monitor air quality, and other maintenance controls. The market for Internet of Things (IoT) platforms is expected to hit […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. Roof systems play an essential role in waterproofing a commercial building’s envelope. As part of the comprehensive roof system, single-ply roof membranes serve as the first line of defense against the elements, protecting critical equipment in warehouses, […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced that it has launched a formal investigation into the fatal explosion and fire at the Horizon Biofuels facility in Fremont, Neb., that occurred on July 29. The blast fatally injured three people—a father and his two young daughters—who were in the facility at the time […]