Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Schools National Network (GSNN) have announced the recipients of the 2026 Best of Green Schools Awards. The awards recognize 11 U.S. schools, districts, organizations, or individuals for advancing environmental stewardship, creating healthy learning environments, and promoting education for a sustainable future. “America’s students deserve […]
Think of a busy construction site and equipment. What comes to mind? Cranes? Bulldozers? But if you don’t include drones in that mental image, you should. Drone use in construction ranks second-highest among all other industries. Construction sites spent $4.8 billion on the technology in 2024 and are predicted to spend $6.2 billion by 2030. […]
The North American data center market has “entered hyperdrive,” and the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) demand, hyperscaler expansion, and grid constraints is fundamentally reshaping where digital infrastructure gets built. That’s according to JLL’s new North America Data Center Report – Year-End 2025. The North America data center industry has reached an inflection point, with vacancy […]
Although facilities management often gets pigeonholed, the all-encompassing job goes well beyond maintenance. As Keri Steers, a regional facilities manager at Dutch Bros Coffee, explains, “Facilities management isn’t just about fixing things; it’s about supporting people, protecting a brand, and driving efficiency.” Steers has worked in the FM industry for nearly a decade and joined […]
On February 4, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video on its investigation into the fatal combustible dust explosions and fires at the Didion Milling facility in Cambria, Wisconsin, on May 31, 2017. Five of the 19 employees working on the night of the incident were killed. The other 14 were […]
School buildings—even the most modern—often utilize construction features that can allow radon gas to accumulate to dangerous levels. To make matters worse, the long hours spent at school and schoolchildren’s unique vulnerabilities to radioactive particles have the potential to make radon especially dangerous in schools. As those responsible for managing school facilities seek to protect […]
As the U.S. is in the midst of a tough flu season, Americans are growing significantly more concerned about getting sick. According to Bradley Co.’s 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey, 70% of Americans are very or somewhat concerned about contracting the flu compared to 59% who felt that way just three years ago. That rising concern […]
Water systems are among the most essential—and least visible—components of any facility. Pipes, valves, pumps, and recirculation loops work quietly behind walls and below floors, delivering water for sanitation, heating, cooling, and daily operations. Because these systems often function behind the scenes, they tend to receive less attention than HVAC or electrical systems—until a failure […]
Behind every high-performing building lies an unsung hero: the central plant. These mechanical nerve centers—clusters of chillers, boilers, pumps, and cooling towers—quietly provide heating and cooling to hospitals, airports, campuses, and other complex facilities. When everything hums along, hardly anyone gives them a second thought. But when a pump fails or a chiller trips, the […]
California has reported the country’s first positive hantavirus rodent detection of 2026, a stark reminder that this relatively rare but deadly disease remains an active threat. The disease gained renewed attention last year following the tragic death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of legendary actor Gene Hackman, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). “Rodent-borne diseases didn’t disappear after last year’s tragedy,” said […]