Operations


  • A display for Greenbuild inside the Javits Center atrium.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Burns/Facilities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Data center sustainability presents an opportunity, USGBC official says

    Community pushback against data centers might be alleviated by sustainable construction and operations, a U.S. Green Building Council executive says at the 2026 Greenbuild conference.

    By • Oct. 21, 2026
  • Federal building occupancy rate, GSA. OMB, GAO
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Federal building occupancy rate unclear, GAO says

    Much of the space is uncounted, and agencies’ use of different occupancy measures creates an incomplete picture, says the government watchdog.

    By • Oct. 21, 2026
  • Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Facilities Dive

    Top 5 stories from Facilities Dive

    By Facilities Dive staff
  • Arcadia energy, on-site edge compute modules
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Energy management company touts revenue available to buildings with excess energy capacity

    Facilities can function as part of a distributed computing system in return for rental income, Arcadia says.

    By • Oct. 20, 2026
  • Mouse droppings, eaten seeds and shredding damage from mice next to a brick wall.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    6 signs that rodents could be in your facility: NPMA

    Experts at the National Pest Management Association and Orkin warn that rodent populations are rising, and that without control measures, organizations risk permanent reputational damage.

    By • Oct. 19, 2026
  • Honeywell Q12026 earnings, building automation, Vimal Kapur, Mike Stepniak
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Honeywell Technologies beefs up Forge platform with operational AI capabilities

    The Forge Cognition platform is underpinned by AI technology from Nvidia and Dell that will enable AI agents to demystify system data and automate processes, with help from humans as needed, the company says.

    By • Updated Oct. 16, 2026
  • Two engineers look at digital twin models on a screen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Digital twins offer more than just visibility for facility stakeholders, experts say

    Operators can use the digital models to interact with technicians and contractors or link them to asset management tools to speed up maintenance, says Matt Judge of Aramark Facilities Management.

    By • Oct. 13, 2026
  • A rendering of the exterior of a United Dairy Farmers urban commercial store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by United Dairy Farmers
    Image attribution tooltip

    C-store chain adds EV fast charging to 6 Ohio sites

    By pairing the charging stations with amenities, convenience store company UDF is hoping to make the locations “third places” that will be valuable to people.     

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 13, 2026
  • Plug-in batteries, David Energy, Wonder
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of David Energy
    Image attribution tooltip

    How small batteries are helping one NYC business cut energy costs

    A meal preparation company is saving about 5% in energy expenses by using batteries from David Energy, which makes its money on energy-cost arbitrage. 

    By • Updated Oct. 12, 2026
  • Two employees work at standing desks, facing a large screen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Benjamin Fanjoy / Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Connectivity has become key in office leasing decisions

    Organizations are passing on buildings that can’t provide the digital backbone they need for AI and other advanced technologies they’re engaged in, WiredScore says.

    By • Oct. 12, 2026
  • Predictive Maintenance Increase Manufacturing Productivity and Efficiency. Senior Plant Manager discussing maintenance plan with female maintenance engineer in front of machinery at factory shop-floor.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Facilities teams often miss preventive maintenance, raising costs: Limble

    Teams complete just 54% of scheduled preventive maintenance, while 47% of maintenance leaders report more than 10 hours of unplanned downtime in a typical month, according to a new survey.

    By Jeff Kinney • Oct. 9, 2026
  • ASHRAE Annual Conference, Realcomm IBcon, IFMA
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Top facilities management conferences to attend in 2027

    AI in building systems, managing operations in a volatile energy environment and maintaining a talent pipeline as older technicians retire are among the key topics on the agenda of upcoming facilities management conferences.

    By • Oct. 7, 2026
  • Use occupancy data to keep spaces clean for less, ABM sports chief says

    Data can help determine areas for reducing water and energy use, but the operations still need field verification, says Brian Grant, ABM vice president of sports and entertainment.

    By • Oct. 6, 2026
  • rain storm sky
    Image attribution tooltip
    Gerville via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Nations Roof

    A storm response plan starts before the forecast

    A practical framework for protecting people, documenting roof damage and restoring operations.

    Oct. 5, 2026
  • The entrance to a women's bathroom with an Aunt Flow period product dispenser inside.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Aunt Flow
    Image attribution tooltip

    Columbus, Ohio, rolls out free menstrual hygiene products to all sports venues

    Free menstrual products at public venues are supported or mandated by some local governments.

    By • Sept. 30, 2026
  • Administrator of the U.S. Courts, Judge Robert Conrad, Jr., GSA,
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Judiciary prepares courthouse facilities management pilot

    The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has hired staff and developed criteria for choosing facilities for a proposed pilot program, even though Congress has yet to approve the plan.

    By Lisa Burden • Sept. 28, 2026
  • predictive HVAC Maintenance, ECM Technologies
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Why proactive HVAC maintenance is no longer enough

    Replacing a system based on age results in capital spending that may not be needed, while waiting for failure forces a capital decision at market price, writes ECM Technologies COO John Gravatt.

    By John Gravatt • Sept. 24, 2026
  • energy storage systems, BESS, on-site batteries, WoodMackenzie, ACP
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Facilities fueling energy storage installations

    The market for commercial systems will grow 27% over the next five years, say American Clean Power and Wood Mackenzie.

    By • Sept. 24, 2026
  • BOMA, University of Colorado in Boulder, commercial real estate
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Commercial building operations put $610B into US economy last year: BOMA

    Buildings are one of the largest economic drivers for metro areas when spending that spills into other sectors is factored in, the real estate owners and managers group says.

    By • Sept. 23, 2026
  • Aerial view of a building under construction with city skyline in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama/ via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Data centers must disclose energy, water use under new California laws

    They also must pay more for grid infrastructure and undergo environmental review under bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Monday.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 23, 2026
  • An office worker is bundled up and cold, looking at a laptop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lighting impacts occupants’ sense of temperature: Penn State research

    Adjusting light to optimize HVAC is a promising strategy, researchers say. It could cut energy use by up to 11.4%.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • Global Partners
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Global Partners.
    Image attribution tooltip

    New HQ designed to encourage connection, Global Partners says

    The facility uses collaboration spaces, a stadium-style staircase and coffee bars, among other things, to boost collaboration, says the convenience-store owner. 

    By Brett Dworski • Sept. 21, 2026
  • Charlie Kirk, Losee Center building, campus security
    Image attribution tooltip
    George Frey via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kirk family alleges ‘stunning’ security failures at UVU led to the activist’s shooting

    Charlie Kirk’s heirs could sue Utah Valley University, arguing that it should have done more to protect the right-wing figure.

    By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 17, 2026
  • GSA, General Services Administration, Federal Buildings Fund, federal building repair backlog
    Image attribution tooltip
    Al Drago / Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    GSA faces building repair costs up to 436% higher because of cap, administrator says

    Requiring the U.S. General Services Administration to get congressional approval for repairs over $3.96 million is exacerbating a backlog, the agency’s chief says in a letter.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • A photograph of a stripped out restaurant with wall studs and HVAC visible.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why second-generation restaurant space doesn’t always make sense

    Existing systems, such as HVAC, may look like an asset until it “needs to be replaced six months after opening,” says Danny Bendas, managing partner at Synergy Restaurant Consultants.  

    By Michael Brady • Sept. 14, 2026
  • An aerial view of a massive building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lessons learned from rebuilding the Pentagon after 9/11

    The team used creative design, workforce planning and an integrated project delivery process to finish the renovation ahead of schedule, under budget and without disruption to occupants.

    By • Sept. 11, 2026