Health & Safety
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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 Robert Freedman • March 25, 2025 -
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 Joe Burns • March 20, 2025 -
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 Joe Burns • March 18, 2025 -
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 Joe Burns • March 12, 2025 -
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 Robert Freedman • March 10, 2025 -
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 Joe Burns • March 6, 2025 -
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 Robert Freedman • Feb. 18, 2025 -
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 Robert Freedman • Feb. 13, 2025 -
Retrieved from Envoy on February 05, 2025
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 Joe Burns • Feb. 5, 2025 -
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 -
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 Joe Burns , Nish Amarnath • Jan. 14, 2025 -
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 Joe Burns • Dec. 18, 2024 -
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 Joe Burns • Dec. 17, 2024 -
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 Joe Burns • Nov. 22, 2024 -
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 -
Retrieved from Carnegie Mellon University on November 05, 2024
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 Joe Burns • Nov. 5, 2024 -
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 Joe Burns • Nov. 4, 2024 -
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 Joe Burns • Oct. 30, 2024 -
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 Nish Amarnath • Oct. 17, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 Joe Burns • Oct. 7, 2024 -
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 -
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 Joe Burns • Sept. 18, 2024 -
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