Tag: healthy buildings

EPA Offers $32 Million to Help Schools Boost Indoor Air Quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of up to $32 million to address indoor air pollution at K-12 schools in “overburdened communities.” The announcement comes just days after the EPA awarded nearly $1 billion for zero- and low-emission school buses. This new funding opportunity is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and […]

EPA Announces Plan to Remove All Lead Drinking Water Lines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a proposal to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule that would require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within 10 years. The agency is also proposing additional improvements to protect public health, such as lowering the lead action level and improving sampling protocols used by […]

Service Your School’s HVAC Solutions During Christmas Break

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. For children, Christmas is a time for a break from school and a time for opening presents. For K-12 school leaders, Christmas break is an opportunity to service HVAC units that will soon be […]

Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Impact Worker Creativity: Study

Air quality in the office may affect our level of creativity at work, according to scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). Working with global air filter manufacturer Camfil on a shared research project, the NTU scientists found in a study that high levels of volatile organic compounds—gases released from products such as detergents, pesticides, perfumes, aerosol […]

Columbia University Earns Highest Fitwel Certification for New Building

Columbia University announced that it has achieved Fitwel certification for 600 W. 125th Street, its new 34-story building to house graduate students and faculty members on the southwest corner of 125th Street and Broadway in New York City. The building earned three stars—Fitwel’s highest standard—in Fitwel Version 2.1 Multifamily rating for its design, construction, and sustainability principles as well as its commitment to resident health and well-being. The […]

Green Building Groups Unite Around Common Materials Framework

Leading organizations dedicated to sustainable building practices and impact reduction in the built environment have joined forces to align around the Common Materials Framework (CMF), which establishes a common language for holistic material sustainability in the building industry. The groups include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), […]

Report Reveals Ongoing Burnout Among Cleaning Professionals

CloroxPro has released its 2023 Clean Index report, which reflects the current challenges and perceptions of more than 1,700 cleaning professionals and consumers and reveals key shifts in year-over-year industry trends. The report uncovers staff burnout, declining confidence, and a gap between interest in green cleaning and adoption. The survey defined cleaning industry professionals as business […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of October 2023

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. Modern Facility for Historic Cemetery October is a spooky season all about Halloween, so of course this month’s list had to include at least one project to commemorate the holiday. Although the historic Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta’s oldest […]

Report Ranks Top 10 Intelligent Building Software Vendors

A new report from consultancy Guidehouse Insights assesses the competitive landscape in the intelligent building software market and ranks the top 10 vendors. Intelligent building solutions are a steadily growing market segment as commercial building owners and managers adopt new technologies for reducing energy use and carbon emissions, increasing building efficiency, and satisfying tenant demands for comfort, […]

‘Explosive Growth’ for Streamlined LEED + WELL Building Certification Process

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) announced “explosive growth and demand” for their streamlined pathway to dual LEED and WELL certification. Since the groups launched the process in April, 335 projects in 38 countries, accounting for 82 million square feet, have opted in. […]