Health & Safety
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Courtesy of Massachusetts Dept. of Fire Services
Building operations not implicated in deadly Fall River fire
The assisted living facility had compliance problems in 2023 but they were related to medical management, not the building’s electrical or mechanical systems, according to preliminary findings.
By Robert Freedman • July 28, 2025 -
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Honeywell vulnerability exposes building systems to cyber attacks
Researchers have found vulnerabilities in the Niagara Framework, developed by a Honeywell company, which could allow attackers to disable building automation and security systems.
By Joe Burns • July 25, 2025 -
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Locating ventilation above aerosol source helps contain pathogen spread: study
Well-placed ventilation also increases the effectiveness of social distancing, researchers say.
By Robert Freedman • July 22, 2025 -
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DOE to drop accessibility requirement for buildings receiving federal funds
The U.S. Energy Department calls a decades-old accessibility provision redundant in a rule rescission taking effect soon.
By Robert Freedman • July 17, 2025 -
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Polymer coating boosts air quality sensors, study shows
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University say they’ve developed a coating that can boost the performance and extend the life of formaldehyde sensors.
By Joe Burns • July 16, 2025 -
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Building operators rapidly adopt streamlined green, health building pathways
The payoff is substantial, especially when stakeholders align on building sustainability, health and operational goals, supporters say.
By Joe Burns • July 15, 2025 -
Courtesy of Verkada
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 Robert Freedman • July 9, 2025 -
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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 Joe Burns • July 8, 2025 -
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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 Joe Burns • July 1, 2025 -
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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 Robert Freedman • June 30, 2025 -
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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 Joe Burns • June 26, 2025 -
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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 Joe Burns • June 24, 2025 -
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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 -
Retrieved from Exhale Fans on June 17, 2025
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 Joe Burns • June 17, 2025 -
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OpinionICE 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 -
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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 Robert Freedman • June 12, 2025 -
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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 Robert Freedman • May 30, 2025 -
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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 Joe Burns • May 28, 2025 -
Courtesy of Lit Thinking
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 Robert Freedman • May 20, 2025 -
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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 Robert Freedman • May 19, 2025 -
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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 Robert Freedman • April 30, 2025 -
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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 Robert Freedman • April 24, 2025 -
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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 Robert Freedman • April 23, 2025 -
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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 Joe Burns • Updated April 22, 2025 -
Jacob Bell/Facilities Dive
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 Joe Burns • April 21, 2025
