Health & Safety
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"City Hall" [Photograph]. Retrieved from City of Brockton, Massachusetts.
Brockton, Mass., leverages energy savings contract to preserve, improve two historic buildings
New window, lighting and HVAC systems aim to reduce energy and improve air quality, including in one building that has been unusable in extreme weather.
By Joe Burns • April 11, 2025 -
Ousted school facilities chief had lost the trust of parents over lead abatement
Community groups had been calling for the dismissal of Milwaukee Public Schools facilities director Sean Kane for what they said was a failure to act on risks and follow safe practices.
By Robert Freedman • April 4, 2025 -
spates via Getty Images
Why HVAC efficiency shouldn’t downplay outdoor air
Focusing on filtration alone is unnecessary and could compromise occupant well-being, IAQ specialists say.
By Robert Freedman • April 2, 2025 -
designer491 via Getty Images
Digitizing emergency operations can ensure plans are accessible
Hard copies of procedures can be time-consuming to locate or use when it matters most, according to 911inform.
By Joe Burns • March 28, 2025 -
N-sky via Getty Images
Daikin, Poppy partner to accelerate building ventilation rate testing
Adding Poppy’s real-time air-tracing and ventilation solutions to Daikin products and services can help buildings reduce energy costs and meet IAQ standards, the companies say.
By Joe Burns • March 27, 2025 -
Courtesy of Eagle Eye Networks
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 -
LSOphoto via Getty Images
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 -
freemixer via Getty Images
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 -
Onurdongel via Getty Images
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 -
littleny via Getty Images
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 -
Suebsiri via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of U.S. CPSC
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 -
Sturti via Getty Images
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 -
stnazkul via Getty Images
Sponsored by CiscoBeyond 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 -
Skynesher via Getty Images
Deep Dive6 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 -
Nirian via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Butlr
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 -
Terraki via Getty Images
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 -
SonerCdem via Getty Images
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 -
Suebsiri via Getty Images
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 -
Kira-Yan via Getty Images
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 -
onurdongel via Getty Images
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 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
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
