Tag: life safety

From Search to Action: Why Facility Professionals Need More Than Information Access

By Kyle Spencer, NFPA Sep 25, 2026 Fire Safety

Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Facility professionals spend their days making decisions that directly affect safety, compliance, and building performance. Whether preparing for an inspection, troubleshooting equipment, planning preventive maintenance, or evaluating a renovation, those decisions depend on access to trusted codes, standards, and technical guidance. Finding that information has become easier. Applying it hasn’t. As buildings become more sophisticated […]

NFPA Highlights Safety Impacts and Lessons Learned from 9/11 Tragedy

By Joe Bebon, Editor Sep 11, 2026 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Sep 11, 2026

In remembrance of the attack on the World Trade Center 25 years ago, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Library and Archives has released “NFPA and the World Trade Center: 25 Years Later,” a collection of materials from the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The compilation provides a multi-faceted overview of the events that unfolded, focusing […]

College Campus Fire Stats and Top Safety Tips

By Joe Bebon, Editor Sep 4, 2026 Fire Safety

Updated: Sep 4, 2026

As the new school year begins, thousands of college students nationwide are moving into dormitories and off-campus housing, which can lead to a major rise in campus fire hazards. That means facilities managers should remain vigilant about fire safety and help provide resources to key stakeholders. Through their annual Campus Fire Safety Month campaign every September, the National Fire […]

NFPA Report: AI and Training Are Top of Mind for Skilled Trade Workers

By Joe Bebon, Editor Aug 27, 2026 Fire Safety

Updated: Aug 27, 2026

The National Fire Protection Associations (NFPA) has released its fourth annual industry survey report. The survey found that skilled trade workers are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools, while recognizing continued investment in training, professional development, and industry collaboration will be critical to meeting heightened work demands amid ongoing workforce shortages. Conducted at the 2026 NFPA […]

Why Buildings Pass Their Public Safety Radio Test One Year and Fail the Next

By Amanda Schomisch, Airtower Networks Jul 7, 2026 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A building’s public safety communication system passes inspection. The certificate of occupancy stays intact, the fire marshal signs off, and the facilities team moves on. Twelve months later, the same system fails recertification. Nothing was touched. Nothing was changed. And yet, somewhere between last year’s pass and this year’s test, the building quietly lost coverage. […]

Fire Door Inspections Are Rising—But Most Buildings Aren’t Ready

By Lori Greene, Allegion Jun 24, 2026 Access Control

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

As we recently closed out Building Safety Month in May, it served as a great reminder for facilities managers to evaluate their passive fire protection systems. While active systems like sprinklers and alarms often get the spotlight, passive defenses—specifically fire door assemblies—are equally important for compartmentalizing smoke and flames to save lives. Over the past […]

Why Modern Facilities Management Must Pivot from Manual to Automated Fire Safety

By James Pecz, Ramtech North America Jun 18, 2026 Data Centers

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

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 decades, facilities management has remained relatively static: protect the building envelope, manage HVAC, and ensure critical safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, are maintained. However, the landscape is shifting. As infrastructure becomes more […]

Electrical Preventive Maintenance: A Four-Tier Audit Template to Avoid Downtime

By Veselina Lezginov, Arrow Electric Mar 25, 2026 Energy Management and Lighting

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Unplanned downtime is one of the most expensive problems a facility can face. According to ABB’s Value of Reliability report, two-thirds of companies deal with unplanned downtime at least once a month, at a median cost of $125,000 per hour. Electrical system failures are a leading contributor to that figure, yet the vast majority are […]

How AI and Other Tech Will Free Up Time for Facilities Managers in 2026

By Jon Hart, NFPA Feb 23, 2026 Maintenance and Operations

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

For years, the phrases “skilled trades” and “manual labor” have been synonymous with one another, making electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and HVAC technicians professions one would not associate with advanced technology or artificial intelligence (AI). However, this perception is evolving as more trade workers experience the tangible benefits of advanced technology. An August 2025 survey from […]

Connected Buildings, Connected Compliance: The Case for Digital Tools

By Kyle Spencer, NFPA Jan 20, 2026 Building Controls

Updated: Jan 20, 2026

When you think of a building, you probably think of a lifeless, static structure. And while that’s technically true, modern-day technology is transforming buildings into something more “alive.” Backed by Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and data integration, buildings are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating intelligent ecosystems where every system—down to the HVAC, security, and lighting—is […]