Health & Safety


  • Verkada, digital security cameras, facility security
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    Courtesy of Verkada
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    Using smart cameras as social media-fueled incidents heat up

    Cultural facilities are increasingly at risk for security breaches. That puts a spotlight on building operators as they try to pinpoint risks before they escalate.

    By July 9, 2025
  • HVAC, HEPA, IAQ
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    slobo via Getty Images
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    How to protect building occupants from allergens and asthma triggers

    While air quality, humidity levels and cleanliness are key, irritants can come from indoor surfaces and even cleaning products, experts say.

    By July 8, 2025
  • A ventilation unit moves air in an office building.
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    Onurdongel via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE focusing on indoor environmental quality, sustainability

    President Bill McQuade’s theme for 2025-26 is healthy buildings. That goal doesn’t have to come at the expense of energy efficiency, a standards committee member says.

    By July 1, 2025
  • Polyloom, Grassroots Environmental, SLAPP Lawsuit
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    sutichak via Getty Images
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    Manufacturer accused of trying to stop talk on possible turf health impacts

    Grassroots Environmental Education and some scientists filed a lawsuit against Polyloom Corp. of America for allegedly using a defamation lawsuit against them to stop their participation in a webinar.

    By June 30, 2025
  • A technician programs an automation system
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    RainStar via Getty Images
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    Most building management systems exposed to cyber vulnerabilities, experts warn

    A study of over 467,000 building management systems across 500 organizations found that 2% of all devices essential to business operations had the highest level of risk exposure. 

    By June 26, 2025
  • An automatic fire sprinkler head.
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    CoolBKK via Getty Images
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    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 June 24, 2025
  • People walk across a makeshift bridge with damaged infrastructure around them.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Targeted investment, tech can sustain critical infrastructure

    To help communities bounce back after disaster, jurisdictions must identify gaps in lifeline systems and cost-effective ways to mend them, panelists at the Building Innovation 2025 conference said.

    By Julie Strupp • June 18, 2025
  • Exhale Fans in an office setting.
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    Retrieved from Exhale Fans on June 17, 2025
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    Bladeless ceiling fan maker touts design’s energy, air quality benefits

    Pulling cool, dry air from the floor and redistributing it across the room can save operators money while improving indoor air quality, a bladeless fan manufacturer says.

    By June 17, 2025
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrest an undocumented immigrant during a raid.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    ICE preparedness is crucial for hoteliers in 2025

    As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns spread nationwide, hotels should prioritize tools and training to create a safe environment for workers and guests alike.

    By Nikki Marín Baena • June 17, 2025
  • Gettysburg parking lot quishing scam
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    Miguel Paricia via Getty Images
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    Gettysburg quishing scam highlights facilities’ vulnerability

    Parking services are sometimes a target. Scammers are using QR codes to redirect people away from legitimate payment methods, safety bulletins say.

    By June 12, 2025
  • Lithium batteries, building backup power supply,
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    kynny via Getty Images
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    Fire risk keeps spotlight on lithium batteries as backup energy source

    Facilities managers must make a risk-benefit calculation if they’re looking at the batteries for on-site energy storage, news developments show.

    By May 30, 2025
  • An indoor air quality monitor in a classroom.
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    Suebsiri via Getty Images
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    Indoor air quality even more important in early childhood: Harvard

    IAQ has powerful effects on babies and young children. Research suggests operators of childcare facilities, schools and community centers should place more emphasis on improving indoor environments.

    By May 28, 2025
  • UVC
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    Courtesy of Lit Thinking
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    Company touts new generation of UVC light to kill pathogens in occupied rooms

    By using light on a shorter wavelength, the ultraviolet C bulbs can eliminate pathogens without penetrating skin and eyes, says Lit Thinking CEO John Rajchert.  

    By May 20, 2025
  • premises liability, casualty insurance, marsh mclennan agency
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    Designer491 via Getty Images
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    Big verdicts in premises liability cases put spotlight on facilities managers

    Verdicts in the tens of millions of dollars are increasingly common in cases involving organizations’ physical spaces, and the trend is likely to persist, a risk manager says.

    By May 19, 2025
  • ANRF, Trinity Health, Hallett, nonsmokers rights, casino operational costs
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Proxy votes to test if casinos lower costs by banning smoking

    Less spending is needed on HVAC and cleaning, among other facilities functions, if companies adopt smoke-free policies, an advocacy organization says.

    By April 30, 2025
  • Paier College, Bridgeport, Connecticutt
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    Poor facilities cited among reasons Connecticut shut down Paier College

    The private art college withdrew its petition to reopen last month. It lost its accreditation and closed last fall because of mounting problems with its operations and academic programs.

    By April 24, 2025
  • Wilson Elser, Pernell Choren
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    South_agency via Getty Images
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    Will you be held liable for third-party violence on your property? ‘Foreseeability’ is key

    You can get hit for negligent security by the victim’s estate if you don’t take appropriate steps based on what you know about the area, an attorney says.

    By April 23, 2025
  • Water leaking and flooding a wood parquet floor.
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    undefined undefined via Getty Images
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    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 Updated April 22, 2025
  • A photo of a Moderna building in Cambridge, Massachusetts
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    Jacob Bell/Facilities Dive
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    MassBio, Veolia extend waste contract to include decarbonization, energy efficiency services

    The new services will help consortium members in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., meet carbon reduction requirements, Veolia North America says.

    By April 21, 2025
  • The exterior of Brockton, Massachusetts, City Hall.
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    "City Hall" [Photograph]. Retrieved from City of Brockton, Massachusetts.
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    Brockton, Mass., leverages energy savings contract to preserve, improve two historic buildings

    New window, lighting and HVAC systems aim to reduce energy and improve air quality, including in one building that has been unusable in extreme weather. 

    By April 11, 2025
  • Ousted school facilities chief had lost the trust of parents over lead abatement

    Community groups had been calling for the dismissal of Milwaukee Public Schools facilities director Sean Kane for what they said was a failure to act on risks and follow safe practices. 

    By April 4, 2025
  • HVAC, IAQ, MERV filter, outdoor air, infiltration, ventilation
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    spates via Getty Images
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    Why HVAC efficiency shouldn’t downplay outdoor air

    Focusing on filtration alone is unnecessary and could compromise occupant well-being, IAQ specialists say.

    By April 2, 2025
  • A red binder labeled Emergency Response Plan.
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    designer491 via Getty Images
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    Digitizing emergency operations can ensure plans are accessible

    Hard copies of procedures can be time-consuming to locate or use when it matters most, according to 911inform.

    By March 28, 2025
  • The indoor unit of an air conditioner featuring a cassette split system on a grey ceiling
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    N-sky via Getty Images
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    Daikin, Poppy partner to accelerate building ventilation rate testing

    Adding Poppy’s real-time air-tracing and ventilation solutions to Daikin products and services can help buildings reduce energy costs and meet IAQ standards, the companies say. 

    By March 27, 2025
  • Eagle Eye Networks
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    Courtesy of Eagle Eye Networks
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    Sensors help building operators detect vaping

    The sensors can also monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to make air quality easier to manage, the manufacturer says.

    By March 25, 2025