Building system sensors triggered Pentagon shutdown

‘Pentagon Shield,’ deployed after 9/11, identifies airborne threats and isolates at-risk areas. A false alarm caused Thursday’s shutdown, a military spokesperson said.

By Robert Freedman • June 12, 2026

Cyberattackers are walking into physical facilities: FBI

One group is sending people posing as contractors or IT support to gain access to servers, steal files and demand ransom — sometimes within an hour, FBI and Google reports show.

By Joe Burns • June 10, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Schools on front lines of facilities management innovation

As research mounts on the importance of a school’s physical infrastructure to the performance and well-being of its students, administarors, parents and the community expect facility managers to make the best use of often-limited resources.  

By Facilities Dive staff

Dallas apartment owners, operator, others sued over deadly explosion

On the day of the explosion, a drilling contractor conducting geotechnical work and related rigging nicked a gas line while digging as part of a plan to link the property with another on the opposite side of the block. 

By Julie Strupp • June 9, 2026

Vulnerabilities discovered in Trane, Vertiv data center products

The companies are addressing the risks with updates, according to Team82 of cybersecurity company Claroty, which found and shared the vulnerabilities with the companies.  

By Joe Burns • Updated June 10, 2026

Why OSHA compliance isn’t enough to mitigate safety liability

The agency’s general duty clause means facilities can be responsible for mitigation even in the absence of a safety requirement, according to an OSHA specialist.

By Joe Burns • Updated June 4, 2026

Novel solutions needed to stem data center fires: study

AI-based fault prediction is one way data centers can curb problems as their operations grow more complicated, researchers from three U.S. universities said.

By Brian Martucci • June 2, 2026

Advocates sue to allow guns in post offices in latest push against bans

The lawsuit is one of several this year that seeks to narrow the scope of gun bans in public or public-facing private buildings.

By Robert Freedman • Updated May 28, 2026

Court ends NY ‘vampire rule’ that made gun bans in public-facing private property the default

Property owners can still ban guns under the federal appeals court ruling by using signage or other communications. The court upheld a part of the state law prohibiting guns in parks and other ‘sensitive’ public places.

By Robert Freedman • May 21, 2026

Mandatory automated weapons screening coming to California hospitals

Automated detection equipment will be required for main public entrances and the entrances to emergency and labor and delivery departments under AB 2975, which takes effect next year. 

By Robert Freedman • May 20, 2026

Is the push for tighter school security at odds with student well-being?

As staffing shortages and resource limitations push districts to harden their security systems, schools should be mindful of the harm these systems can pose, says a researcher at the Learning Policy Institute.

By Joe Burns • May 13, 2026

More money is going to physical security, but it’s often CISOs that oversee it: EY

Organizations should centralize physical security and cybersecurity so both are adequately prepared for, the consulting firm says in a survey report.

By Robert Freedman • May 13, 2026

How everyday movement shapes facility safety

How daily activity in high‑traffic buildings impacts facility performance, access, and safety.

May 11, 2026

Schools spend $4B on physical safety measures. Here’s what research says they should do instead.

Investing in ways to harden schools might be inadvertently deploying technologies that erode trust, the Learning Policy Institute says. 

By Kara Arundel • May 6, 2026

Students sue Brown University, say lax building security enabled shooting

The university had no access control in a building in which a former student opened fire, killing two and injuring nine in December, according to negligence lawsuits filed this month.

By Robert Freedman • April 29, 2026

What facility security teams can learn from the Correspondents’ Association shooting

Tiered perimeters protected Trump and others from the alleged gunman. Newer technologies can automatically close access points when they detect a breach, a security specialist says.

By Robert Freedman • April 28, 2026

Why mobile access control standards matter for building operations

A shared standard for mobile access credentials could ease facility managers’ work by enabling them to use different access control systems without running into device compatibility problems. 

By Haniel Lynn • April 24, 2026

GSA wants full access to its rental income to tackle repair backlog

Congress has been diverting money that the agency generates to close funding gaps elsewhere in the government.

By Robert Freedman • April 21, 2026

OSHA extends heat emphasis program

The previous initiative lapsed on April 8, but two days later, the safety agency announced an updated outreach, resource and inspection program that will run through 2031.

By Zachary Phillips • April 17, 2026

NFPA’s comprehensive battery safety code nears finish line

The standard-setting nonprofit could publish its NFPA 800 framework later this month following an unusually quick development process.

By Brian Martucci • Updated April 14, 2026

Guns OK in national park buildings, lawsuit claims

The U.S. Department of Justice would need to defend the current ban in court, but it hasn’t said if it will.

By Robert Freedman • April 8, 2026

Air quality more important than high-end amenities: worker survey

Employees say indoor air quality is a reflection of management priorities and want to see signs that it’s being managed on their behalf, GPS Air says.

By Joe Burns • April 7, 2026

Fast-tracking nuclear facilities raises worker safety concerns

The U.S. Department of Energy in January eliminated what advocates call a critical safety directive, but the agency says the “ALARA” policy isn’t needed. 

By Robert Freedman • April 3, 2026

Alcatraz AI secures $50M for facial authentication platform

The technology does not store photos or data, simplifying data privacy compliance for operators, the company says.

By Joe Burns • April 3, 2026

Honeywell expands security portfolio in bid to catch AI wave

The company is partnering with Rhombus to integrate AI-driven security into the building systems of its customers as demand for these products surges, a company executive says.

By Joe Burns • March 27, 2026

Facility security teams must deploy AI with intention or risk bloat without outcomes, Convergint says

The firm released a framework it says can help organizations adopt AI for risk reduction at scale.

By Joe Burns • March 26, 2026