US companies collaborate to grow skilled trades workforce

The Business Roundtable sees opportunities to solve the labor gap on a large scale.

JLL unveils AI upgrades to building operations platform

The Prism platform will be able to analyze years' worth of property task and workflow data and respond to conversational questions, the firm says. 

Blast-resistant glass likely limited damage at CDC

Some 150 bullets pierced four buildings when a shooter opened fire Aug. 8 at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Employees say they want bulletproof glass.

Legionella just one of many HVAC risks, microbiologist says

Even products that operators use to clean ventilation systems can cause illness among building occupants, a scientist says.

Heat pump adoption expected to grow despite federal shift

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act accelerates a move toward affordability, ease of installation and retrofit readiness, according to one manufacturer.

Houston hotel workers approve strike amid call for wage bump

On Wednesday, union hotel workers employed by Hilton Americas-Houston voted 99.3% yes to authorize a strike, which could be called at any time.

Coworking growth slows, but companies still value flex space, reports show

Most organizations still want to grow their use of alternative space to reduce capital expenditures and improve employee experience.

Duke Energy expands demand response programs in South Carolina, citing new law, heat waves

Duke is not the only utility emphasizing efficiency and demand response as the country sets new records for energy usage and peak demand.

Phoenix cooling lab showcases hybrid data center cooling capabilities

Aligned Data Centers built the facility to test liquid and air cooling systems alongside controls to reduce energy consumption and optimize data center performance.

3 ways humidification can boost the bottom line

By reducing absenteeism, preserving furniture and protecting equipment, facility managers that optimize humidification can reduce costs, an engineer says. 

Labor Department to provide $30M in training grants for skilled trades

Grants of up to $8 million will be awarded to state workforce agencies to create training funds that encourage employers to develop and expand programs.

Massachusetts awards skilled trades grants, approves private apprenticeship program

The approval of C&W Services’ apprenticeship program offers the facility service firm “a competitive advantage in a tight labor market,” an executive said.

Workplace violence appears to be growing, prompting calls for prevention, report finds

The trend puts a spotlight on employers’ preventive strategies and response protocols, compliance training company Traliant says. 

Office occupiers seek ways to improve vibrancy of space: CBRE

Workers that go into the office when it’s only partially full don’t find the environment appealing and are less likely to return the next day, the firm reports. 

Daikin acquires tech for cooling data center server racks

Hybrid air and liquid cooling technology the company will gain by purchasing DDC Solutions will give it server-room solutions in addition to its HVAC solutions.

Legionella outbreak puts facility managers on front lines

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease thrives in warm water, so improperly cleaned HVAC systems can spread infectious agents when they’re released through commercial cooling towers, officials say.

September offers window for cheaper, faster HVAC work

Between August and October, when the need for heating and cooling overlap, HVAC service calls hit a lull, meaning less demand and cheaper prices for repairs or maintenance, Samsara says.

NYC’s Safe Hotels Act, with its staffing mandates, signals a shift for operators

Whether the law delivers meaningful improvements in safety and labor standards remains to be seen, but its early effects on staffing and costs have created challenges for hotels.

Caterpillar warns of $1.5B tariff hit as machinery prices slide

The construction and mining equipment giant is expecting higher trade-related costs in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, AI data center demand is driving growth in the power generation business.

Remote sensors touted as HVAC ‘check-engine’ light

Having real-time data on the temperature, voltage, vibrations and sound of each HVAC unit lets facility managers anticipate problems, says Impact Service Group.

Atlanta Public Schools, facing enrollment drop, eyes repurposing some buildings

Closing and consolidating buildings are also under consideration, the organization says. 

Vulnerability found in Axis video surveillance cameras

Attackers could monitor or shut down the video feeds, one cybersecurity firm says. Axis has made patches available and urges users to upgrade systems.

JLL sees continued demand for increasingly scarce energy efficient assets

Strong growth in workplace, property and project management drove an increase in the firm's real estate services revenue during the second quarter. 

Congressional appropriators move to maintain Energy Star funding

The likelihood of the program going away eases as lawmakers on the House and Senate committees that allocate funds direct the administration to fund it.

Casual dining real estate faces perfect storm and high vacancies

Property sales for some footprints collapsed as fast casual formats grew, leaving landlords with few buyers and costly renovations.