Health & Safety


  • nanofiber filter, Univ. of Chicago, building ventilation
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nanofiber filters in ventilation systems can remove most indoor CO2, study finds

    A filter made by University of Chicago researchers captures 92% of building CO2, demonstrating enough efficiency to offset any CO2 created to make, maintain and replace the filters, they say.

    By Dec. 23, 2025
  • Acrisure Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium to offer free Depend products at NFL games

    The pilot program with Kimberly-Clark is the first to focus on bladder-leak products, the company says, as stadium venues prioritize attendee comfort and hygiene.

    By Dec. 22, 2025
  • 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
  • A building with two tall towers and a round center sits on a grassy site with mountains behind it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Emergency managers, meteorologists push back against breakup of NCAR climate research center

    Dismantling the nation’s premier weather and climate institution would have “a horrible impact on the local level,” says the chair of the International Association of Emergency Managers USA Weather Caucus.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 22, 2025
  • Johnson Controls, building evacuation, Autocall 4017ES, Martin Schulte-Frankenfeld
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Johnson Controls sees voice systems as critical to small-facility preparedness

    Evacuation alerts with voice capabilities can improve occupant trust. They're now more affordable for smaller properties, a company executive says.

    By Dec. 18, 2025
  • Metalmark Innovations' Tatama air cleaning system in an exposed ceiling venilation system.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Metalmark Innovations on December 17, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    Metalmark receives JLL support for its air cleaning systems

    The investment will help accelerate deployment of the company’s ceiling-mounted Tatama system for capturing pathogens and particulates without increasing energy use, the company says.

    By Dec. 17, 2025
  • A Bogen Communications manager works to implement emergency security systems.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Bogen Communications, LLC on December 16, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    Firms integrate emergency systems with audio and voice communications

    The Bogen Communications and Alertus Technologies agreement will help operators automate and enhance critical alerts, the companies said. 

    By Dec. 16, 2025
  • Brown Univ. shooting, Barus and Holley, Rachel Friedberg, Joseph Oduro
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Few cameras, open doors at Brown University building where shooting occurred

    Students have to swipe badges to access the targeted lecture room, but the large number of students during exam week could have overwhelmed security protocols, reports suggest.

    By Dec. 15, 2025
  • A worker uses their smartphone to gain access at a turnstile.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    With physical and IT security merging, collaboration will be a 2026 priority: Genetec

    In another trend, physical security teams see the importance of AI in navigating alarms and investigations and prioritizing events, survey results show. 

    By Dec. 10, 2025
  • Pools of water are seen in an aerial photo of a wastewater treatment plant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hacktivists launching attacks that could damage operational technology

    Hackers are exploiting poorly secured remote connections to industrial equipment and other operational technology, particularly in the energy, food and agriculture and water sectors, an advisory says. 

    By Eric Geller • Dec. 10, 2025
  • Hughes Safety Showers
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Hughes Safety Showers
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Keeping worker protection aligned with data center expansion

    Lead-acid and lithium battery chemicals, refrigerants and some cleaning supplies are among data center hazards that require immediate treatment if on-site personnel come in contact with them.   

    By James Hamilton • Dec. 9, 2025
  • The College of New Jersey,  Alexis Mraz, Society for Risk Analysis, legionella
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Monochloramine better than chlorine at curbing Legionnaires’ disease, study suggests

    Areas served by water treatment plants that use monochloramine have lower rates of the disease than those served by plants that use chlorine, a study to be released tomorrow finds.

    By Dec. 9, 2025
  • ISS, facility management, Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong
    Image attribution tooltip
    Isaac Lawrence / Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Facility management company ISS could face Hong Kong fire scrutiny

    An affiliate of the company manages the Wang Fuk Court complex where almost 160 people died after flames engulfed multiple buildings last week.

    By Dec. 4, 2025
  • flammable scaffolding netting
    Image attribution tooltip
    Isaac Lawrence / Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Renovation materials likely fueled deadly Hong Kong fire: reports

    The use of flammable netting and boards while contractors renovated high-rise buildings was likely involved in the start and rapid spread of a fire that has killed more than 150 people, investigators said.

    By Dec. 1, 2025
  • President Donald Trump sits at a desk signing a document with several people wearing suits standing behind him.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    EPA moves to roll back Biden-era particulate limits, signaling a major shift in clean air policy

    The agency asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn the 2024 “soot standard,” citing incomplete scientific analysis and projected compliance costs.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 26, 2025
  • Awair Omni sensor
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Awair
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fitwel integrates IAQ monitor data into healthy building certification

    A partnership with Awair is intended to help building owners gain a competitive edge by responding to public demand for IAQ improvement, the certification provider says.

    By Nov. 24, 2025
  • Federal agents walk through a gas station's store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ryan Murphy / Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Treat ICE like a vampire’ — and 5 more tips for dealing with law enforcement at work

    Facility managers have a role to play to help their organization prepare for on-site visits by law enforcement.  

    By Kate Tornone • Nov. 19, 2025
  • The inside of an office is seen after the building was destroyed by a hurricane.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    As storms intensify, smarter preparation is key to keeping insurance costs down, experts say

    Nearly half of building operators in hurricane-prone areas spent $7,500 annually per property to prepare, a survey by Site Technologies found.   

    By Nov. 18, 2025
  • Close-up of a modern building with the Mayo Clinic logo in blue and white, displayed on a vertical tiled wall with part of the adjacent structure visible.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mayo Clinic taps Siemens, Metalmark to improve hospital IAQ

    The organizations will develop biosensors to monitor emergency room air for viruses, bacteria and allergens. Autonomous systems will respond when pathogens are found.

    By Nov. 17, 2025
  • Clemson University, disinfectant wipes study, infectious agents on surfaces
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Disinfectant wipes effective at removing contaminants, research confirms

    Wipes work better on hard surfaces like glass than on soft, non-porous surfaces like vinyl, Clemson University researchers find.

    By Nov. 12, 2025
  • A sign about SNAP EBT outside of a store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Social media posts raise false alarms over shoplifting, store violence from food assistance pause

    Claims about an uptick in incidents are misleading and not a reason to step up security, retail industry sources say.  

    By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 12, 2025
  • Calif. superior court, Alameda, Proposition 2, school facility funding disparities
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    California’s K-12 facility funding system unconstitutional, students, parents say in lawsuit

    Plaintiffs want the state to stop relying on local bond issues to trigger the release of matching funds to pay for unmet needs, similar to complaints filed in other states.

    By Oct. 28, 2025
  • cyber security server data center
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Albireo offers private, secure layer for FMs to protect building systems from cyber threats

    The secure platform can protect building systems without the high cost or complexity of on-site servers, the independent building controls and energy services provider says. 

    By Oct. 28, 2025
  • People get sprayed by water on a city street lined with cars.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    As temperatures rise, math performance drops

    The findings are significant because HVAC systems are inadequate in more than 40% of public schools in the United States.

    By Naaz Modan • Oct. 23, 2025
  • Google, Chelsea campus, bed bugs
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Google’s New York City campus hit with bedbugs

    Exterminators brought in a sniffer dog to confirm the outbreak. The company says the infestation was quickly remediated and asked employees to see if they took any bugs home with them.

    By Oct. 21, 2025
  • A person in the foreground looks back at another talking on a phone call with feet up.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Employees value office time but struggle with noise, air quality: survey

    Time in the office provides “social glue” and advancement opportunities, but building operators must use data to inform decision-making, XY Sense says. 

    By Oct. 20, 2025