Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Maintaining a boiler in top operating condition will yield significant dividends to your facility, but often there are early warning signs that your boiler is in need of attention. So, what are some of these warning signs? In this article, we’ll examine six indicators that your boiler may require maintenance or repair. Additionally, we’ll discuss some preventative […]
Amidst a nationwide effort to increase whole-facility energy efficiency, mechanical systems rank high among the most critical areas of focus. Space heating and domestic hot water production account for approximately 42% of energy use in the United States. For many existing facilities served by a hydronic system, the straightest path toward a smaller carbon footprint […]
In a new scientific paper, a global group of experts has called for mandating indoor air quality (IAQ) in public buildings and presented a blueprint for national standards. The group is headed by Professor Lidia Morawska, a distinguished professor at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology and vice chancellor fellow at the U.K.’s University of Surrey. […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. The A’s Vegas Stadium Batter up! March marked the official start of spring and the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. As baseball teams prepped themselves for the many games ahead, the Oakland Athletics revealed renderings of […]
One of the largest zoos in the U.S. isn’t monkeying around when it comes to sustainability! The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announced the completion of mechanical work to the heating system at the Bronx Zoo, marking a significant […]
On March 18, the International Code Council’s (ICC) board of directors made determinations on a series of appeals to the draft 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), thus finalizing the latest model code that sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for new commercial and residential buildings. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened applications for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize, which will award $180 million for clean energy upgrades at public K-12 schools to lower costs and improve indoor air quality. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new round of funding builds on $178 million in grants awarded […]
Building information modeling (BIM), a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility, creates a shared knowledge resource for information, making it easier for facilities managers to make decisions, according to the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG). The WBDG notes that while some might think of BIM as just 3D modeling and […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Bollards are short, mounted vertical posts that create a barrier to prevent vehicles from entering facilities, utilities, pedestrian areas, and sensitive components inside facilities. Facilities professionals should install bollards on their properties for asset protection and […]
As winter’s icy grip tightens around the country each year, facilities managers face the challenge of preparing heating systems to withstand severe cold temperatures. A proactive approach to preventative maintenance is crucial in ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and longevity of heating systems. The objective is not merely to address issues as they arise but to […]