Published 2009

The Value of a Safety-Conscious Builder
by Jerry Kingwill - In these economically precarious times, it is more important than ever to hire a builder with an extensive health and safety program.

U.S. Construction Expected to Drop
McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies forecasts a drop in overall U.S. construction starts for next year, as the tough funding environment continues, construction projects are deferred, and financial stress gradually eases. Against this backdrop, the level of construction starts in 2009 is expected to decline 7%, to $515 billion, following a 12% decline predicted for 2008, as outlined in the company’s 2009 Construction Outlook.

Cutting Costs Through a New Work Mode
Workplace design plays a pivotal role in overall business performance by supporting the new work modes of a knowledge economy, according to a nationwide study of office workers by Gensler, a global design and consulting firm.

Ad Agency Leo Burnett Commissions Design for Change
by Beth Leibson - Architectural and interior design evolves by its very nature. Needs and personalities change and the physical environment must adapt to meet the new challenges. “Something always throws a wrench into the plan,” explains Paula Lutz, Project Director at Chicago-based VOA. “Someone doesn’t like a color or the budget changes. And if the entire design depends on that detail, you’re in trouble.”

More Facility Professionals are Taking a Strategic Approach to Green Practices
Facility managers are increasingly following a master plan when implementing sustainable practices and are tying their efforts to measurable goals and business strategy, according to the results of a new International Facility Management Association (IFMA) survey. The study, “Green Practices 2008,” shows that while recycling and energy conservation initiatives are being practiced by the vast majority of facility practitioners, financial challenges still present the biggest impediment to going green.

Report from Washington - Federal FMs Gather in the Capitol to Promote Energy Efficiency in Buildings
by Eileen McMorrow - The commercial building sector represents 40% of the nation’s primary energy consumption—72% of electricity and 55% of natural gas—exceeding any other sector of the U.S. economy, including transportation and industry, according to the Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook, March 2008.

Published 2008

World Trade Center 7 Fell Due to Fire
The fall of the 47-story World Trade Center building 7 (WTC 7) in New York City late in the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001, was primarily due to fires, the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced, following an extensive, three-year scientific and technical building and fire safety investigation. The agency stated that this was the first known instance of fire causing the total collapse of a tall building.

Keeping Facilities on Track
by Beth Leibson - Tracking and analyzing workflow patterns – and using these data appropriately – can help companies cut real estate costs and increase their energy efficiency thus lowering their carbon footprint, says John Anderson, President and CEO of Framingham, Mass.-based PeopleCube, provider of intelligent workplace, resource and energy management technology. 

Fatality Rates Rise for Hispanic Workers
Workplace fatalities have increased sharply for Latino and immigrant workers, according to the AFL-CIO. Fatal injuries among Latino workers increased by 7% during 2005, with 990 fatalities among this group of workers, the highest number ever reported.

Creating New Energy Through Portfolio Standards
Everyone talks about renewable energy, but how can we make it happen – or, better yet, how can we make it happen more consistently?

How We Shake With Quakes
In the Northwest, we are shaking more than before – but elsewhere, we seem to have settled down, according to updated versions of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Seismic Hazard Maps. The latest maps indicate that earthquakes remain a serious threat in 46 of the United States. For some areas such as western Oregon and Washington, the new maps contain higher estimates for how hard the ground will shake compared to earlier versions of the maps released in 1996 and 2002.

Need to Standardize Emergency Preparedness
Three-quarters of the 302 senior corporate executives surveyed in mid-2007 said that an emergency preparedness plan exists in their companies. The analysis was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of an ongoing research project to assess the effectiveness of security in American companies.

New Common Floor Area Measurement Definitions
Pinning down area measurements can be a challenge – but a new report outlines standards that can take the guesswork out of the process.

Viewpoint: Facility Management as a New Strategic Initiative
by David A. Henrichon, MS, FMA, CPE, FMP - Having delivered facility management certification training to national and international audiences, I have heard all of the war stories. To no one’s surprise, the situation is the same the world over. Funds are limited.  Projects are due yesterday. Energy expense, indeed all expense line items must be managed down, year after year.  Some of the attendees are looking to gain insight into the world of the facility manager, or to more finely tune their sales pitch when dealing with the FM. 

IFMA renews commitment to Strategic Facility Planning
by Eileen McMorrow - While facilities managers are adept at practicing strategic planning, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is revisiting the concept and the condition of Strategic Planning by elevating its importance as a professional undertaking and its impact on the profession and the corporation or organization.

Uniformity is a Key to Sound Masking Systems
by Jodi Jacobs - In business we need to be able to communicate, and this communication creates noise and noisy offices can be distracting and unproductive.  As our office environments must often support both heads down work and interaction simultaneously we must incorporate acoustical and design solutions to make this possible.

Practical Advice for Consolidating Assets in M & A Growth Strategies
by Ray Summerell - One of the first realities facing companies involved in a merger and acquisition (M&A) growth strategy is that they suddenly have two of everything. Two IT infrastructures, two headquarters campuses, two sets of regional offices—combined with possible redundancy in manpower, this duplication can create an unnecessary drain on finances.

Americans & Europeans Feel Well-Paid...and Like the Boss
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –A new International Herald Tribune/France 24/Harris Interactive survey finds that, overall, in the United States and the five largest European countries, people are mostly satisfied with their jobs. At least two-thirds of each country’s workers say they are satisfied, with Italy having the lowest satisfaction numbers (67%) and Spain the highest (83%), according to Harris Interactive. 

Construction Management: Be in the Know
by Jerry Kingwill - Construction is a major responsibility of facilities management. One way to ensure successful construction projects is to work with a highly competent construction manager.

Avoiding Flooring Failure—Insist on Moisture Testing
by Terry Nali, Coordinator, INSTALL Twin Cities and IFMA MSP Member - A common phrase in the commercial flooring industry is: The most beautiful flooring in the world is useless if not installed properly. An additional caveat: A properly installed floor will probably fail if excessive moisture is present in the substrate.

Study Reveals Benefits of Managing Real Estate & FM Spending
by Beth Leibson - Real estate and facilities lifecycle management solutions can cut costs while establishing significant process efficiencies, according to a new study published by Aberdeen, a Boston-based Harte-Hanks Company.