Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Commercial buildings and infrastructure are responsible for a staggering 40% of global carbon emissions, a figure that puts facilities managers on the front lines of the climate challenge. While the buzz around artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has captured headlines, the real transformative power for commercial facilities lies in another category of AI: predictive and […]
Patient care is a priority for healthcare organizations, but budget constraints can keep many operating with outdated facilities management systems. These systems are not seen as directly impacting patient outcomes, so they can fall to the end of the list for investment. This is a missed opportunity because modern building management systems that monitor and […]
As the school year begins in many areas, new West Virginia University (WVU) research finds poor air quality may keep tens of thousands of students out of school for weeks each year, hitting young students and children of color the hardest. A study by Mustahsin Ul Aziz, a doctoral student in natural resource economics at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture […]
For decades, facilities managers (FMs) have been the unsung heroes of commercial and retail buildings, ensuring comfort, safety, and operational continuity behind the scenes. However, as the built environment faces the mounting pressures of rising energy costs, ambitious sustainability goals, and the challenge of “doing more with less,” the FM role is undergoing a deep […]
Some media are reporting a widespread backlash against ESG and carbon-reduction initiatives. That may be welcome news for facilities managers who view energy tracking as a financial and administrative burden. But the reality is that energy tracking and reporting can lead to significant cost savings for facilities. A glance at data from commercial and industrial […]
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. Building owners and operators have spent the last decade overwhelmed by an array of challenges ranging from tighter building codes and building performance standards to high interest rates, inflation, and, of course, a global […]
American industries are facing growing pressure to modernize production methods and improve energy efficiency without compromising the bottom line. Now more than ever, it is important to drive research, development, and pilot-scale demonstrations within industrial projects, with plans to bolster confidence in the buildings space for further adoption of net-zero practices. When combined with standards […]
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a central focus for commercial tenants, facilities managers, building owners, leasing agents, and property owners. One technology option for airstream and HVAC surface disinfection in this regard is ultraviolet energy in the C-band or germicidal wavelength (UV‑C). When incorporated into HVAC air handlers, UV‑C systems help inactivate airborne pathogens, […]
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. As the vice president of operations for over 30 Wendy’s locations, my No. 1 goal is to take care of our customers. For many of them, this means delivering a flawless Baconator or a […]
Just as commercial real estate (CRE) began to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the industry is now entering a new era of financial pressures. Driven by an uncertain economy, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and a more conservative insurance underwriting landscape, property insurance premiums are climbing at an alarming rate. In Q1 2024, commercial […]