Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Facilities professionals seeking to renovate older buildings should do their due diligence to determine if their buildings have lead paint. Why Lead Paint Is Dangerous The dangers of lead-based paint (LBP) caused the federal government to […]
As climate change progresses, we can expect storms to become more frequent and more intense. Already, coastal communities are experiencing the devastating effects of severe hurricanes and tropical storms, while midwestern communities are encountering massive destruction from tornadoes and hail. As storms only continue to worsen, ensuring our facilities are designed and built to withstand catastrophic […]
As a facilities manager, you’re probably fulfilling a variety of duties. One minute you’re a janitor, the next you’re an accountant, and another you’re a technician. In other words, you’re the corporate equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. That said, you can’t ignore your basic functions, such as keeping your building secure while employees and visitors come […]
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released a new report, “School Facilities Funding in the Pandemic,” which found U.S. school districts are widely committing funding from last year’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) to upgrade or improve their air filtration and heating/cooling systems—more so than for other facility improvements. The […]
Here’s the good news regarding workers’ return to office (RTO) after the pandemic: It’s happening, slowly but surely. Here’s the bad news: Things may never be as before the pandemic. Security company Kastle Systems recently surveyed 10 major U.S. cities and reported that, as of September 2022, about 50% of all workers have returned to […]
There is a lot of anxiety in the office building sector, and it’s found in every city in the U.S. and most cities worldwide. The fundamental cause is related to the pandemic. Many workers don’t want to go back to the office. These workers and their employers have adjusted to remote working. While some corporations […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced 26 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 14 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products with safer chemicals. The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers for facilities, such as schools and office […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Fires present a real danger to businesses, especially in workplaces where fire hazards are part of the job. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a fire department in the United States responds to a […]
A new survey finds that the vast majority of teachers (74%) nationwide are concerned about the indoor air quality in their schools and on buses, citing the negative impacts it has on the health and productivity of teachers, faculty, and students. The results highlight the growing importance teachers place on working in a healthy, safe, […]
Long before the pandemic, researchers knew that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) made workers sick and decreased cognition and attendance. A Harvard study of more than 3,000 workers showed that sick leave doubled among employees in poorly ventilated areas. Poor air IAQ has also been shown to decrease office workers’ cognitive function and decision-making, as well […]