Over the last decade, companies have been looking to the cloud as a way of accelerating the shift toward digital but were held back by inevitable change barriers that come with business transformation. The pandemic served as the ultimate wake-up call for organizations to take their IT infrastructure to new heights and accelerate their timelines to become fully transformed enterprises. According to JLL's new Global Data Center Outlook, the mass adoption of cloud computing and AI is driving exponential growth for the data center industry, with hyperscale and edge computing leading investor demand, particularly in the U.S.
Despite this strong demand, however, the skills shortage for high-tech talent will remain a challenge for the data center market’s continued growth. The report also explores corporations and governments ramping up efforts to close the gap between environmental commitments and action in the race to net-zero. The data center industry is facing increased pressure for more transparency of climate mitigation efforts and has been working toward more sustainable operations.
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Let’s be honest. There are tons of facility management companies out there. And for the most part, they all can provide the same things. Professional cleaning, maintenance, software, oversight, the list goes on and on. Choosing the right one for your building sites and company shouldn’t come down to you simply going with your gut. You need to choose the one that’s right for you. And that means you need to take into consideration different factors. Obviously, the cost of services is one of them.
But you also want to look at their customer service history, the experience and qualifications of their employees, the overall quality of their products, and any additional services or features they offer that may set them apart from the competition. You’ll also want to examine what each FM company is good at. Every company has a specific reason for how their company is structured. And when your job is to cut through the sales pitches and ultimately decipher what is best for your company, things can get a bit confusing. OpenWorks is here to help explain your options.
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These integrations represent an important milestone for the nonprofit’s efforts as they provide access to real-time carbon emissions data within ongoing workflows for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. This makes it easier for users of these tools to understand, measure and reduce embodied carbon emissions and make progress toward sustainability goals. In addition, these integrations also help further drive awareness of embodied carbon and the need to set carbon reduction targets if we are to fight global warming.
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Landscape Forms, North American designer and manufacturer of high-design site furniture, structure, LED lighting and accessories, continues to build out its portfolio with long-time partner Urbidermis with an expansion of the successful Harpo and Bancal lines — prime examples of the Barcelona-based firm’s mastery of Mediterranean design.
The Bancal modular bench system (shown here) now welcomes a complementary picnic table to help define new spaces for outdoor dining and leisure. Often taking the form of long runs lining sidewalks and paralleling pedestrian promenades, Bancal benches embody minimal formal expression in favor of increased communal function, adaptability and durability. Bancal picnic tables utilize a simple structure of folded steel sheets to anchor naturally weathering, slatted IPE tops.
The Harpo double chaise lounge adds extra width and height for an inviting destination. The single and double chaises are both generous in scale, comprised of a subtly angled plane resting elegantly atop a metal bar frame. The robust bent and welded steel structure with slatted wood seats and backs belie the casual demeanor. Harpo chaise lounges are designed for rigorous public use in parks and college and corporate campuses.
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This week's Featured Book from FMLink's new Books section is from the Plumbing / HVAC category. This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the Plumbing / HVAC topic.
HVAC Control Systems contains 26 chapters that cover all aspects of HVAC control systems used in industry. Topics included are specifically designed for HVAC and building maintenance technicians, and include:
- An introduction to HVAC fundamentals, energy sources, and control principles
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Pneumatic, electromechanical, and electronic components and control systems.
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ABM, a leading provider of facility services, infrastructure solutions and parking management, has entered into a multi-year agreement to deliver first-class housekeeping solutions and manage day-to-day and event staffing for Tropicana Field and Al Lang Stadium, both located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tropicana Field is home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, while Al Lang Stadium is home to the United Soccer League’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.
This agreement adds to the more than 100 stadium and entertainment venues that ABM services in the U.S., including six for Major League Baseball with the addition of Tropicana Field. Through this partnership, ABM will serve as a single source for deploying a professional workforce dedicated to delivering outstanding janitorial services that enhance the fan experience across over one million square feet of stadium space at the two venues.
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The Hydraulic Institute (HI) recently announced its Circulator Savings Calculator as a free tool for users to estimate energy savings and financial payback from selecting an efficient circulator pump. This calculator adds to the portfolio of tools, resources, and programs developed by HI to promote the use of more efficient pumps in in commercial, residential and industrial settings . The calculator utilizes data from HI’s public Energy Rating database to provide the most up-to-date savings calculations based on specific currently listed circulator models. Users have two options to calculate savings, with information from an HI Energy Rating Label or by entering size and control types. Users are also able to use defaults or customize aspects of the calculator, including operation hours, to give the most accurate estimates.
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Pressure relief valves protect fire sprinkler system components by relieving excess system pressure from supply surges or temperature changes. Since the 2010 edition, NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems has required pressure relief valves to be installed on all wet pipe fire sprinkler systems. But picking the correct relief valve for a specific system does need preplanning. Knowing the desired static pressure of the system and reviewing the UL and FM Standards regarding the required operational characteristic of relief valves used on sprinkler systems for guidance, one can deduce the best rating for a relief valve on any system.
While field-adjustable pressure relief valves may be tempting due to their flexible rating, they are often being used in a manner that violates the FM Standard, says fire sprinkler manufacturer AGF. Their ability to be adjusted by anyone can introduce the very risks to the system that the NFPA 13 requirement was meant to eliminate. Factory-set relief valves are the best option due to a tested range of features proven to serve the system well.
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