Health & Safety


  • Eagle Eye Networks
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    Courtesy of Eagle Eye Networks
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    Sensors help building operators detect vaping

    The sensors can also monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to make air quality easier to manage, the manufacturer says.

    By March 25, 2025
  • A technician uses air to clean an HVAC system.
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    LSOphoto via Getty Images
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    Routine HVAC cleaning can lower energy use and help meet ventilation standards, study says

    Cleaning can be a cost-effective tool for increasing occupant comfort and health and building energy efficiency, researchers from two universities found.

    By March 20, 2025
  • A person pushing a cart with cleaning supplies down a hall
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    freemixer via Getty Images
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    Operational changes, education can help curb cleaning complaints, survey says

    Implementing daytime cleaning schedules, staff training and occupancy technology can reduce the amount of “subjective or frivolous” complaints and help to optimize operations.

    By March 18, 2025
  • A ventilation unit moves air in an office building.
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    Onurdongel via Getty Images
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    Occupancy-based controls found to cut energy use 22%

    Implementing ceiling- and wall-mounted sensors connected to a building management system could pay for themselves in two years, a Schneider Electric paper says. 

    By March 12, 2025
  • school HVAC, NY state univ., Albany, building condition survey
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    littleny via Getty Images
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    HVAC improvements shown to improve student outcomes

    Metrics on absenteeism, suspension rates and math scores did better as upgrades or replacements were made, a study finds.

    By March 10, 2025
  • A view of a hand holding a device that measures harmful dust particles and PM2.5 (particulate matter) in the air in front of an elevator inside a building.
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    Suebsiri via Getty Images
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    Improving IAQ means looking beyond ventilation strategies

    With technology like germicidal UV and building management systems, it’s possible to improve indoor air quality without driving up HVAC costs, experts say.

    By March 6, 2025
  • Bobcat, Steiner, CPSC
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    Courtesy of U.S. CPSC
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    Bobcat & Steiner mower deck attachments recalled

    The decks can’t be secured when being worked on, posing a crush hazard, the U.S. CPSC says. 

    By Feb. 18, 2025
  • Highwire, TRIR, Griffin, Tibbetts, contractor oversight
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    Sturti via Getty Images
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    Track small incidents to get insight into contractor risk, safety expert says

    Relying solely on recordable incident data will leave you blind, according to Highwire safety chief Dave Tibbetts.

    By Feb. 13, 2025
  • A mockup of Envoy's virtual front desk mobile solution.
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    Retrieved from Envoy on February 05, 2025
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    Envoy launches mobile version of virtual front desk application

    The mobile version of Virtual Front Desk provides access control and other services, even when operators are away from their desk, Envoy says.

    By Feb. 5, 2025
  • Camera or surveillance technology on screen display with abstract graphs and data surrounding it.
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    stnazkul via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Cisco

    Beyond boundaries: 5 benefits of a unified vision for physical security

    Revolutionize security with cloud-managed systems that are flexible, scalable and built for the future.

    By Grant Shirk, Senior Director of Product Marketing • Jan. 27, 2025
  • Facilities managers and skilled trades workers discussing renovations and plans for a managed space.
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    Skynesher via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    6 facilities management trends set to define 2025

    Facilities managers are leveraging data to optimize operations and meet changing occupier needs while anticipating federal policy shifts and growing data center demand.

    By , Jan. 14, 2025
  • Air compression and heating and ventilation hardware outside a building.
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    Nirian via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE releases guidance to mitigate smoke’s IAQ impacts, updates HVAC testing protocols

    Facilities managers and building operators can use the new guidance along with existing procedures, like Guideline 36, to automate their systems and improve efficiency, experts say.

    By Dec. 18, 2024
  • A mockup of Butlr's Heatic device and platform.
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    Courtesy of Butlr
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    Firms leverage AI to bolster camera capabilities

    By integrating AI and machine learning with digital twins and heat sensor technology, firms are enhancing security, occupancy tracking and operational insights, while trying to ensure privacy protection.

    By Dec. 17, 2024
  • A vendor scans a security card to enter a facility.
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    Terraki via Getty Images
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    Siemens, SwiftConnect and Fortive advance their FM software systems

    Access, facility and asset management products and the firms that offer them have been busy this fall. Here’s the latest. 

    By Nov. 22, 2024
  • workers toil on a hot construction site with the orange sun in the background
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    SonerCdem via Getty Images
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    Trump administration likely to abandon OSHA heat safety rule, experts say

    The incoming administration will probably let the standard die, but some other form of guidance could emerge instead, according to attorneys.

    By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 12, 2024
  • The second floor of the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics, with lounging sofas and desks in the foreground.
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    Retrieved from Carnegie Mellon University on November 05, 2024
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    Higher ed campuses update health, wellness, accessibility amenities

    Many colleges and universities are investing in facilities that promote overall well-being, including new fitness centers, mental health spaces and student support areas.

    By Nov. 5, 2024
  • An indoor air quality monitor in a classroom.
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    Suebsiri via Getty Images
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    EPA updates IAQ guidance with multi-layered ventilation, filtration strategy

    Filtration improvements, HVAC upgrades and air cleaning technologies are some of the steps operators can take to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says.

    By Nov. 4, 2024
  • An air conditioning unit in a modern office, with a plant blurry in the foreground.
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    Kira-Yan via Getty Images
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    Air quality, energy efficiency can coexist, but require intentional decision-making

    To reap the benefits of IAQ and energy efficiency measures, operators must focus on design, planning and verification of building systems, experts say. 

    By Oct. 30, 2024
  • A modern hospital room interior with an empty bed, an LCD television and a city view from the window.
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    onurdongel via Getty Images
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    Cleanliness, safety gaps in healthcare workspaces affect employee retention, survey finds

    Employees eyeing exits in the next 12 months were likely to report dissatisfaction with employee offices and break rooms that were unsafe, unclean or had inadequate sound privacy, per a JLL report. 

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • An aerial view of flooding from Hurricane Helene.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    5 tips for businesses filing hurricane-related insurance claims

    With Hurricanes Helene and Milton estimated to have cost tens of billions of dollars in damage, it’s important for businesses to carefully document the impact when filing insurance claims, experts say.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • Oct. 14, 2024
  • A stadium with a damaged roof.
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    Octavio Jones/Reuters

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    Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium roof blown off by Hurricane Milton

    The storm shredded the canvas dome — designed to withstand 115 mph winds — of the Major League Baseball park, built in 1990.

    By Zachary Phillips , Jennifer Goodman • Oct. 10, 2024
  • An aerial view of flooding from Hurricane Helene.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Business continuity plans, partnerships key to navigating extreme weather, experts say

    In the wake of severe weather events, it’s important to have business continuity plans and disaster protocols in place. These include staging, triaging and proactively monitoring weather systems, experts say.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • A person in a grey sweater hovers over a laptop with their hands.
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    mapo via Getty Images
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    Cybersecurity firm flags attack on construction accounting system

    Plumbing, HVAC and similar subcontractors using default credentials faced active intrusions due to an emerging threat targeting Foundation Software users, according to cybersecurity firm Huntress.

    By Matthew Thibault • Sept. 23, 2024
  • A filter for an HVAC filtration system,.
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    Serenethos via Getty Images
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    SecureAire acquisition will drive energy-efficient air filtration, R-Zero says.

    With filters that last two to three times longer, building owners can cut maintenance costs and material waste, boosting overall efficiency, R-Zero’s CEO said.

    By Sept. 18, 2024
  • A diverse group of people stand around a table where a person in a blue pantsuit signs papers.
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    Courtesy of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
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    Retail workers hail New York’s new panic-button law

    The law, which Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Thursday, mandates better lighting, adequate staffing, employee training and safety measures in stores. Key trade groups opposed the measure. 

    By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2024