Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The world’s climate clock is ticking, and the built environment stands at a crossroads. Buildings account for nearly 30% of global energy-related carbon emissions, making them both a challenge and an opportunity in the race to stave off the irreversible effects of climate change. At the same time, a new era is dawning, one where […]
The winter season presents facilities managers with a critical decision point. While basic winterization measures should be standard practice, a more sophisticated (and effective) approach is to create seasonal shutdown protocols that save organizations money and minimize structural risks. It’s a proactive shift that reimagines how facilities can operate in the colder months and against […]
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. New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) is often looked at as a hurdle for facilities managers and not as a strategic opportunity to improve for the future. As buildings over 25,000 square feet […]
Hotel guest rooms are unoccupied around 60% of the time, even when rented. Heating or cooling to 100% occupancy, 100% of the time, equals approximately 40% energy waste. To lessen this waste, the hospitality industry is embracing occupancy-sensing smart thermostats, which allow the building management system to automatically adjust the temperature of unoccupied rooms. The […]
Amid rising electricity costs and a volatile macroeconomic environment, facilities managers and commercial building owners across the United States are seeking reliable, energy-efficient solutions that consistently support both employees and customers. One increasingly popular strategy is the installation of high-efficiency heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) to reduce energy consumption and improve overall building performance. Heat […]
Just as the autumn air turns chilly and colder temperatures become the norm, the ramp-up of the holiday shopping season brings ever-larger crowds of people into shopping centers and outlet malls. For facilities managers, ensuring consistent comfort across high-traffic areas is a top priority. In some cases, it can also be a major challenge. While […]
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. Last year, wildfires tore through vast areas of Los Angeles, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to introduce a waiver to exempt rebuilt structures and residences from the city’s all-electric building provision, citing the need to […]
A facilities manager (FM) is expected to wear a lot of hats, from operations manager to strategic planner and technical expert to human resources leader. With so many spinning plates, it’s unsurprising that a recent study found that some FMs and staff have left or considered leaving their jobs. This isn’t just about hard work; […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. The recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City led to dozens of hospitalizations and multiple fatalities. This incident is part of a concerning trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of […]
As facilities managers tasked with balancing energy efficiency and security, you’ll find that artificial intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools to streamline operations, cut costs, and enhance resilience. Here are proven, practical strategies to harness AI for smarter energy management while bolstering facility security and control. 1. Predictive Maintenance for HVAC and Equipment One of the […]