Most organic waste generators would face disposal ban under Massachusetts proposal

Right now, the ban applies to businesses and institutions that generate more than one-half ton of organic material a week. If the proposal goes forward, it would apply to all businesses and residents. 

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 17, 2025

David Keeling confirmed as new head of OSHA

The former Amazon and UPS executive is expected to make heat safety a priority as the federal government’s top workplace regulator.  

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 8, 2025

Facilities could be impacted as US adds tariffs on furniture, wood

An executive order from President Donald Trump installs a 25% tariff on sofa, chair and cabinet imports and a 10% duty on timber and lumber.

By Philip Neuffer • Sept. 30, 2025

Access to building codes at center of industry tussle

The International Code Council is part of a coalition that supports allowing public code access in exchange for copyright protection. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and others call that the wrong approach.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 26, 2025

Axiom Cloud touts integrations to boost refrigerant leak management tech

A new web portal aims to break down walls between refrigerant tracking and maintenance systems with AI to help operators streamline work order management and meet compliance.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 24, 2025

With proof-of-insurance tool, Visitt takes step towards fully automated AI

By making it easier for building operators to track the adequacy of vendor insurance, the tool saves time and reduces risk, the company says.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 27, 2025

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.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 7, 2025

DOE’s accessibility rule rescission will hike lawsuit risk, legal specialist says

Building owners using U.S. Department of Energy grants for efficiency upgrades will need to look at whether the work is an alteration or maintenance and what accessibility standards to follow. 

By Robert Freedman • July 24, 2025

The Energy Star program has grown into an industry standard-setter

The program’s Portfolio Manager software is used to track the energy use of almost 25% of commercial buildings. Its end could put owners, cities and states in a bind — at least for the short term.

By Joe Burns • July 2, 2025

Asbestos lapses in Philadelphia school district will get deferred criminal prosecution, monitoring

The case marks the first time federal prosecutors have used criminal charges against a public entity for failing to meet requirements for assessing and managing damaged asbestos, the Department of Justice says.

By Robert Freedman • July 1, 2025

Judge strikes down National Science Foundation’s 15% funding cap for research overhead

The new ruling blocks an effort to cap research overhead reimbursements, which universities use to support development and maintenance of laboratories and facilities.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 25, 2025

Johnson Controls relaunches Connected Sprinkler service

The service, which integrates with existing sprinkler systems, can help facility managers shift to predictive maintenance, limit downtime and potentially reduce insurance premiums, the company says.

By Joe Burns • June 24, 2025

ASHRAE, ICC open second review period for building lifecycle emissions standard

The proposed joint standard seeks to establish a methodology for quantifying embodied and operational greenhouse gas emissions across the lifecycle of buildings and their sites.

By Joe Burns • June 16, 2025

Former school district facilities chief directed $2M in HVAC work to shell company, DA alleges

Scott Unger resigned as Lawrence Union Free School District facilities director after he came under investigation for steering money to himself, according to the Nassau County District Attorney in New York.

By Robert Freedman • June 9, 2025

NYC building owners still have time to file LL97 extensions

The city implemented a 60-day grace period for reporting annual energy and water use or for seeking an extension until August. Separately, a lawsuit against the regulation was dismissed.

By Joe Burns • May 29, 2025

R-32 touted as A2L-compliant refrigerant while R-454B shortage persists

Daikin, Amana and Goodman are among the HVAC manufacturers whose systems are compatible with R-32 refrigerants. 

By Robert Freedman • May 28, 2025

Building sector needs all hands on deck to meet Washington’s 2050 emissions goal: reports

To substantially decarbonize buildings by 2050, building owners must swap virtually all end-of-life fossil fuel appliances for zero-emissions alternatives after 2030, the Clean Energy Transition Institute and 2050 Institute said.

By Brian Martucci • May 27, 2025

Federal agencies told to start tracking building occupancy

An Office of Management and Budget memo accelerates and expands a process that the Biden administration began to require at least 60% occupancy of federal buildings.

By Robert Freedman • May 13, 2025

LEED v5 – now released – increases focus on indoor environment, worker safety

The new version streamlines decarbonization targets and accounts for indoor air quality, continuous monitoring and maintenance staff safety, USGBC’s director of existing buildings says.

By Joe Burns • May 13, 2025

Less efficient commercial refrigerators OK’d in House, Senate resolutions

Most manufacturers have already retooled their operations for higher efficiency standards. Blocking enforcement will open the door to cheaper competing products, say supporters of the new standards.

By Robert Freedman • May 2, 2025

With AI leak detection, 20% lower insurance costs possible, says water management company

Symmons Industries is partnering with data company Caylent to help facilities managers spot water issues before they lead to costly damage. 

By Joe Burns • Updated April 22, 2025

FM:Systems’ workplace management platform OK’d for federal use amid tumultuous time for government

FedRAMP authorization will enable agencies to quickly adopt the company's workplace management and room and desk booking software as the government works to optimize space utilization. 

By Joe Burns • April 16, 2025

Denver adds flexibility to building performance guidelines

Following public input, including some backlash from building owners, the new rules will push back compliance deadlines, remove electrification report requirements and reduce penalty rates, the city says. 

By Joe Burns • April 9, 2025

ACEEE scorecard shows nationwide improvement in state energy efficiency programs

Looking at emissions reduction goals far in advance can help align building capital planning budgets and deep energy retrofits, experts say.  

By Joe Burns • March 26, 2025

Schools earn a ‘D+’ for infrastructure

Many public school buildings are hitting their 50-year design life, requiring “comprehensive” upgrades and replacements to key facility systems.

By Naaz Modan • March 26, 2025