Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
A new pickleball lighting system should not be accepted simply because every luminaire turns on. For a facilities manager, acceptance is the point at which design assumptions become operating reality. Light levels, uniformity, glare control, aiming, controls, documentation, and maintainability all need to be checked against the agreed project requirements. A structured commissioning process protects […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. While some workers and workplaces face higher risks of violence, it can happen to any worker in any work setting. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that violent acts were the third-leading cause […]
By the end of 2026, manufacturers are projected to spend $16.7 billion on artificial intelligence (AI). Many manufacturers have approached AI with the mindset “if we build it, they will come,” which, in this context, becomes “if we buy it, it will get used.” However, the 2026 Asset Lifecycle Report from Asset Management Software, Siemens […]
A commercial restroom renovation can improve water efficiency, reduce maintenance, increase durability, support accessibility, and create a better experience for building occupants—especially when upgrades involve multiple restrooms. When one large office building planned renovations for 30 restrooms, the facilities manager consulted Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co. Inc., for recommendations on making the […]
Citing major concerns about privacy and misuse, communities across the country are increasingly pushing back against automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, namely Flock cameras widely used by law enforcement and businesses. Amid the national debate, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has issued a call for the responsible and effective use of ALPR technology and released […]
Facilities managers are feeling increasing pressure to limit operational expenses and maintain aging buildings efficiently. Building information modeling (BIM) already serves as the digital underpinning for facility life cycle management. BIM, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), is a more responsive technology that can analyze building data and support smarter decision-making. Why BIM Is Ready for […]
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. Twenty-five years ago, you could walk your daughter to her airport gate when she left for college. Families waited at the jet bridge to say goodbye. In office towers, anyone could walk onto almost […]
A large office complex recently issued a request for bids for filter maintenance. The scope called for 2,100 filter changes twice a year. When the facilities manager ran the numbers, he realized the program consumed roughly 400 labor hours annually. By optimizing the filter specifications and maintenance strategy, he determined he could cut that in […]
In remembrance of the attack on the World Trade Center 25 years ago, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Library and Archives has released “NFPA and the World Trade Center: 25 Years Later,” a collection of materials from the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The compilation provides a multi-faceted overview of the events that unfolded, focusing […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently renewed its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for warehouses and distribution centers. The new NEP replaces the agency’s July 13, 2023, directive. Significant changes in the new directive include: According to an August 6 announcement on OSHA’s website, under the renewed NEP, the agency will conduct comprehensive inspections focused […]