Health & Safety
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The ‘next 9/11’ may not look like 9/11, former FDNY fire chief says
Prepare for a new generation of threats, including climate disasters, says Joseph Pfeifer, who went on to found FDNY's Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 11, 2026 -
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NYC biometric bill could harm building security, critics say
“Ban the Scan” could expose companies to lawsuits for their access control and workplace management efforts, a security association executive says.
By Robert Freedman • Sept. 3, 2026 -
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Use daily communications to test emergency alert capabilities: K-12 tech experts
Treat communications as safety infrastructure and work with IT departments to ensure systems work as needed, these experts say.
By Joe Burns • Updated Sept. 1, 2026 -
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OpinionThe accountability gap in facility management
Facility managers are increasingly accountable for security outcomes across multiple sites even when the systems responsible for delivering those outcomes remain largely outside their control.
By Tim Garrett • Aug. 25, 2026 -
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What we know about the hacking campaign against US water systems
Threat groups with suspected links to Iran have targeted vulnerable programmable logic controllers, the devices used to monitor and control industrial systems, including those of water utilities.
By David Jones • Aug. 25, 2026 -
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Frisco, Texas, uses mapping, digital twins to boost emergency services, building management
The city created an indoor mapping system to help responders during school emergencies, but the system has since expanded to help asset management and more, an IT expert says.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 24, 2026 -
Zach Gibson / Stringer via Getty Images
The IRS has made its facilities more secure, but a watchdog won’t disclose how
The agency launched a security review in late 2022 after Congress increased IRS funding by $80 billion to step up tax enforcement, sparking concerns over employee safety.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 21, 2026 -
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Skilled labor demand is exploding. AI is both a cause and a solution: NFPA
A survey by the National Fire Protection Association found that while AI is putting pressure on an already stretched fire and safety workforce, it is also making their jobs easier.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 19, 2026 -
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OpinionHow hotels can prepare for hurricane season
Annual property inspections can help hotels identify weather-related maintenance issues before they become costly losses, writes a senior director at an insurance research company.
By Ross Haigler • Aug. 19, 2026 -
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Could climate change lead to increased FMLA use? Attorneys are afraid so.
Facilities could see employees stay home under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act if wildfires continue to exacerbate indoor air pollution, legal specialists say.
By Ryan Golden • Aug. 18, 2026 -
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Absent a national standard, Mayo Clinic creates its own safety policy for lithium batteries
Lithium batteries are everywhere in the facility today, from laptops to hand tools to mobile floor-cleaning robots to energy storage systems, Mayo employees told a healthcare conference earlier this month.
By Brian Martucci • Aug. 17, 2026 -
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Initiative will pay cybersecurity vendors to protect rural water systems
A trade group and cybersecurity experts have announced a partnership to help small water utilities protect their systems from hackers.
By Eric Geller • Aug. 14, 2026 -
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Fires, floods and more: Severe weather impacts millions of students
Creating a management plan for energy efficient indoor air quality and modernizing school HVAC systems can minimize weather-related disruptions that last year impacted 9 million students, according to UndauntedK12.
By Kara Arundel • Aug. 12, 2026 -
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Cybersecurity, life safety, patient privacy requirements among NFPA’s Health Care Facilities Code updates
The 2027 updates, which reflect changing expectations and realities of those facilities, can eventually get adopted into law, experts said.
By Brian Martucci • Aug. 11, 2026 -
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Wildfire plans a must in today’s climate, air monitoring expert says
The increasing frequency of wildfires requires new, more complex ways of operating facilities, says Sissi Liu, CEO of Metalmark.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 10, 2026 -
Retrieved from U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
Corroded sprinkler heads triggered catastrophic 2024 Georgia chemical plant fire: report
More than 1,100 sprinkler heads were corroded when water leaked onto reactive chemicals, causing a toxic reaction that forced 90,000 people to shelter in place, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board says.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 7, 2026 -
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Bed bugs spreading in unexpected places: Orkin entomologist
Outbreaks in atypical facilities like offices, although rare, can cause outsized operational and reputational damage if not addressed quickly, a specialist says.
By Joe Burns • July 23, 2026 -
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Fenway Park tackles modern security in historic venue
A partnership with Johnson Controls has helped the ballpark protect the stadium during games and events without losing its historic charm, says Ryan Kozul, senior director of ballpark operations.
By Joe Burns • July 22, 2026 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Justice.
26 Federal Plaza likely had passive camera, security specialist says
An assailant poured gas on the steps at the federal building's employee entrance, lit a fire and ran away before federal agents and a security guard apprehended the suspect.
By Robert Freedman • Updated July 27, 2026 -
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Q&AProject type ‘more than likely’ contributed to structural failure in NYC: ASCE engineer
The nature of the office-to-apartment conversion job probably meant the Manhattan building couldn’t support the extra weight, said ASCE’s former president.
By Zachary Phillips • July 22, 2026 -
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WeWork will seek WELL Coworking Rating for more than 300 locations
The rating is designed to show how coworking and similar flexible workspaces meet health and well-being measures.
By Joe Burns • July 17, 2026 -
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How accessibility features can help hotels win guests in an aging America
“Just because something is ADA-compliant doesn't mean it's easy to use,” an accessibility consultant says.
By Michael Brady • July 16, 2026 -
Courtesy of Verkada
Verkada touts better security camera image search with NVIDIA tools
The enhancement is designed to help the company’s camera systems identify threats and other problems more accurately, Verkada said.
By Robert Freedman • July 15, 2026 -
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Restroom quality shapes visitors’ perception of a facility, surveys show
Visitors' restroom opinions carry over to their opinions of a company's goods and services, according to a Bradley Co. survey.
By Robert Freedman • July 13, 2026 -
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Latest NYC Legionella outbreak puts focus on building water systems
Taking a two-test approach can reduce the risk of missing a bacteria buildup in pipes and elsewhere, says a testing specialist.
By Robert Freedman • July 10, 2026
