Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
On Nov. 22, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a Sept. 29 chemical reaction and toxic gas release at the Bio-Lab Inc., facility in Conyers, Georgia. The incident led to a massive fire and plume of toxic smoke that threatened the surrounding community and the metropolitan Atlanta […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. During emergencies, things can go wrong in an instant. It’s crucial for employers, facilities professionals, and other safety stakeholders to collaborate on developing emergency action plans (EAPs) with effective evacuation procedures, so that in a disaster scenario, employees know […]
Local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in the United States in 2022 that cost approximately $18 billion in property damage, according to the most recent Fire Loss report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In addition to the human impact of fire damage, property damage and the required reconstruction are […]
As the new school year approaches, college students nationwide are preparing to move into campus dormitories and off-campus housing. Through their annual “Campus Fire Safety for Students” campaign in September, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) want to ensure students, parents, and campus housing staff and administrators have the relevant information and resources […]
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, it’s critical for facilities and building operators to ensure the safety of their electrical infrastructure. One of the two primary electrical hazards are arc flash events, which can result in significant injury to workers and major disruptions to power operations. What Is an Arc Flash? Arc flash: a term […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has entered into a corporate-wide settlement agreement with Dollar General and its retail subsidiaries to make significant workplace safety improvements in stores nationwide. Based in Goodlettsville, Tenn., Dollar General is a discount retailer that operates more than 19,000 stores. OSHA frequently cited the company for alleged violations such as blocked […]
It’s no secret that we’re experiencing a global uptick in extreme weather and natural disasters as a direct result of climate change. In fact, a study supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found climate change to be the main driver of the increase in fire weather in the western U.S., pointing to […]
The International Code Council (ICC) has launched Building Safety Month this May, marking the group’s 44th annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of building codes and the role that building safety professionals play in keeping communities safe. This year’s main theme, “Mission Possible,” encourages people to get involved in all aspects of building safety. […]
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) announced a collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer members of both organizations training and resources to enhance the safety and performance of facilities and facility professionals globally. Through this collaboration, IFMA members will have access to NFPA’s training and certification programs, as well as more than […]
Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, is about 10 miles from downtown Phoenix and will be the home of the ultimate thrill of victory and the agony of defeat for the remaining four teams of March Madness, as the NCAA Basketball Men’s Final Four and championship games will be held […]