Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Employee discomfort, rising energy bills, and an HVAC system that’s constantly working overtime are common challenges in large facilities, with poor air circulation being the leading factor. Facilities that incorporate HVLS (high-volume, low-speed) fans can balance temperatures, improve occupant comfort, and reduce operating costs without requiring infrastructure alterations. The HVAC Is Running, and the Space […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. As the seasons change, facilities often experience a buildup of residue, wear, and debris from shifting weather conditions and daily traffic. Increased foot traffic, moisture, outdoor elements, and the spread of germs can quickly lead to visible […]
Walk onto any industrial facility floor, and you’ll likely spot layers of personal protective equipment (PPE) safeguarding workers: hard hats for maintenance crews, safety glasses in mechanical rooms, hearing protection in high-noise environments, flame-resistant clothing in hot work zones, and self-retracting lifelines and harnesses at elevated sites. The equipment is visible, essential, and mandated by […]
Large commercial building projects, such as data centers, warehouses, distribution centers, and office parks, can be among the most complex and hazardous worksites. The leading safety hazards in construction are well known. The industry’s “fatal four” safety hazards are caught-in or -between hazards, electrocution, falls, and struck-by hazards. (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] […]
Your organization operates in a world where threats come from multiple angles and the damage from any kind of physical or cyber breach can be significant and long-lasting. Every facility visit, every meeting, and every interaction, physical or virtual, carries its own unique security and compliance implications and risk. Because of that, your organization cannot […]
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 […]
Video surveillance systems are evolving from passive recording to cloud-native AI-powered systems that provide risk detection, notification, and real-time information for facilities managers. The cloud and artificial intelligence are essential to this transformation, enabling remote access, ongoing updates, custom searches, and business-specific reports. These new capabilities create both opportunity and tension. While AI cloud-based systems […]
Hospitals face unique physical security challenges stemming from their complex layouts and round-the-clock operations. Unlike traditional office buildings, healthcare facilities must balance stringent access control with the need for rapid emergency response. Facilities managers can protect staff, patients, and assets through strategic, budget-conscious security measures that address the sector’s distinct vulnerabilities without compromising operational efficiency. […]
Hurricanes, tornados, and severe thunderstorms are just a few examples of extreme weather events that can cause structural damage and significantly disrupt operational continuity. Downtime, lost production, critical infrastructure damage, and threats to human safety are all serious possible outcomes. Mitigating these risks can be done in several ways, but one of the most important […]
A new report from Avetta offers insights into how organizations are improving safety outcomes across increasingly complex global operations. Chiefly, it shows that while foundational supply chain risk management capabilities and improved visibility both contribute to fewer serious health and safety incidents, the most significant improvements—up to 97% lower workplace fatality rates—occur when these capabilities […]