California must ban gas in new buildings, local officials tell governor

A letter 26 local government leaders sent to Gov. Newsom Friday pushes for the use of existing state authority to set "common-sense clean emission measures for buildings."

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 12, 2023

SecurityOS from iLobby connects access control, visitor management

The software automates identity lifecycle management and permission provisioning for facility visitors, the company says.

By Joe Burns • Updated March 27, 2024

Overtime rule comment period opens; employers can weigh in through Nov. 7

The Labor Department proposed a salary threshold of about $55,000 per year but suggested in a footnote that the final level could be more than $60,000.

By Kate Tornone • Sept. 11, 2023

Navigating the uncertain path of the DOL’s overtime rule updates

“It would be a mistake to assume the rule is going to be held up in court and do nothing,” one attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 7, 2023

CDC, ASHRAE discuss airborne infection risk guidance updates

Experts from both organizations outlined methods to meet minimum ventilation requirements and maintain clean air in schools during a recent EPA webinar.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 5, 2023

ICC’s climate resilience initiative expected to aid facilities managers with decarbonization

The International Code Council said the capacity-building program aims to speed up emission reduction efforts by supporting the enforcement and implementation of building codes and energy codes.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 1, 2023

Two smart building firms raise millions to meet system control and automation demand

Clockworks Analytics and Andorix announced significant fundraising Aug. 22. Both plan to accelerate deployment amid growth in building automation systems and sensor technology.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 23, 2023

Colorado mandates new building energy performance standards despite criticism

The ruling unfairly burdens existing buildings, operators and owners say. The state Air Quality Commission touts the rules’ flexibility.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 22, 2023

Modine targets Midwest school facilities managers with TMS Johnson deal

The HVAC manufacturers’ partnership is expected to strengthen Modine’s Airedale indoor air quality solutions for K-12 schools amid code updates and federal funding programs. 

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 18, 2023

Oklahoma City earns WELL health-safety rating for facility operations and management

The city is the third in the U.S. to be awarded the certification, as the rating organization pushes for portfolio-level upgrades.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 17, 2023

For stretch energy codes, Massachusetts gets nearly $4M DOE grant

The grant will provide field-based training to local building code officials and help communities share regional best practices.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 16, 2023

California becomes first state to mandate embodied carbon emission reductions

In a bid to tackle climate change and meet decarbonization objectives, the state has voted for two building code changes targeting commercial buildings and schools.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 16, 2023

Anviz rolls out SME cloud-based security management platform

The firm says the product does not use on-site hardware and reduces the cost of security measures for small- and medium-sized facilities.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 15, 2023

Johnson Controls enhances safety product to connect service across distant buildings

The company’s updated device aims to simplify safety operations for large commercial facilities, removing the need for additional infrastructure investments.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 14, 2023

Wint clinches $35M to meet water tracking, leak detection demand

Climate change and damage costs have led to a strong demand for water management solutions across the real estate, construction and insurance industries. 

By Joe Burns • Aug. 11, 2023

Insufficient data impacts return-to-office strategies, Envoy finds

Eighty percent of business leaders and building managers surveyed said they would have approached their policies differently if they had better insight into office usage.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 10, 2023

Washington building codes lawsuit dropped by gas, building groups

The litigation was an “aftershock” of a federal appeals court decision to overturn Berkeley, California’s first-in-the-nation ban on gas in new buildings, an Earthjustice senior attorney said. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 10, 2023

Department of Energy earmarks $46M for building technology, retrofit practice research

The agency will release funds for 29 projects across 15 states to curtail energy consumption in the sector.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 9, 2023

The life sciences sector needs facility staff to match continued growth

Good Manufacturing Principles and specialized processes are straining employers’ abilities to fill building service roles.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 9, 2023

ASHRAE seeks comments on refrigerant system safety standard modifications

These addenda address standards for commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems and safety data on numerous zeotropic refrigerant blends.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 7, 2023

Mayor Michelle Wu issues order to ban fossil fuels in Boston buildings

The executive order prohibits fossil fuel use in new municipal buildings and renovations of existing city-owned structures as part of a larger push for carbon neutrality by 2050.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 7, 2023

JLL property management, high-quality building services soften leasing woes

Boosted by above-average occupancy rates in sustainable and Class-A buildings, the firm cited a positive outlook despite missing earnings expectations.  

By Joe Burns • Aug. 4, 2023

ProSentry partners with Senet to put smart building tech into action

The collaboration aims to help operators incorporate low-cost building monitoring applications into Senet’s cloud-based connectivity and IoT service platform.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 3, 2023

Federal government lags behind in facilities upgrades, maintenance

Performing much-needed repairs and upgrading public spaces is key to retaining talent amid increasing return-to-office mandates, a JLL report says.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 1, 2023

ASHRAE invites comments on energy-efficient building equipment, lighting allowance addenda

The changes include a new rating mandate for fin-and-tube coils and exhaust energy recovery heat exchangers.

By Nish Amarnath • July 31, 2023