From July to September in 2022, IFMA used real-time Delphi methodology to survey 222 experts who are readying their organizations and clients for new ways of working toward 2030. Five thematic sections synthesize the subject matter experts’ perspectives on:
- Facilities in demand toward 2030
- Technology, work and workforce development
- Workplace management and strategy
- Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG)
- Facility management in 2030
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Armstrong World Industries, a leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas, has just announced it has been named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2023 by Newsweek magazine. AWI was ranked No. 76 out of 500 companies and No. 4 in the capital goods category, which included more than 40 companies.
This ranking is developed annually by Newsweek and Statista Inc., a worldwide statistics portal and industry ranking provider, and recognizes the top 500 most responsible companies in the United States, spanning 14 industries. Over 2,000 companies were evaluated using publicly available information from corporate social responsibility and sustainability reports, as well as an independent survey. Performance indicators focused on environmental, social and corporate governance areas, while the independent survey asked U.S. citizens about their perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility.
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The first facilities industry event this year returns to Baltimore with NFMT 2023, the National Facility Management and Technology Conference & Expo. The McMorrow Reports & FMLink have been attending for at least 20 years, and we know our readers should, too. Facilities managers, executives, engineers and allied professionals will gather March 21-23 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland. Both the educational conference sessions, starting on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and ending on Thursday at 4:45 p.m., and the expo floor are bountiful with exhibitors from all segments of FM.
Use NFMT’s event explorer while registering to pre-register for sessions. Build your agenda to include conference sessions roundtables, networking functions, product zone sessions, and time in the exhibit hall. Research the education sessions and the exhibitors to successfully choose the ones that apply to your position and company needs. The conference tracks include: Asset Management, Energy & Sustainability, Future Trends, Health & Safety, Maintenance & Operations, Security, Technology and Think Tank.
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The “skills gap” in the cleaning industry is serious, states Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner of ISSA's Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC). Cleaning professionals use tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and products with active ingredients. They deal with hazards and risks every day. The demand has shifted to cleaning for health and not just for appearance. We need to ensure we use science and evidence-based cleaning practices. Our focus is on preparing people without college degrees for the cleaning industry. The need for companies, facilities and communities is clear. So how do we do better?
Workforce development programs can benefit your business by helping you sustainably scale, profit and prosper. Cleaning professionals are essential employees whether we work in hotels, airports, schools, convention centers, hospitals, buses, planes, offices or restaurants. Every industry relies on us to create a safe and healthy built environment. But in the cleaning industry, workforce development can be a vague concept. What does it mean, why is it important, and what does it look like in practice?
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Landscape Forms, a leading North American designer and manufacturer of high-design site furniture, structure, LED lighting and accessories, recently introduced the Theory transit shelter system, designed by Scott Klinker. This innovative line of transit site furnishings is designed to elevate travel by combining familiar street-scape elements with more expressive pieces, offering the aesthetic appeal of modern art in a versatile, scalable and modular system.
"Typically, transit solutions are very utilitarian, and we wanted Theory to retain some of that character, but we also wanted it to interact with landscapes in more unexpected, beautiful and creative ways," explains Landscape Forms Chief Innovation Officer Kirt Martin. "Theory combines a traditional transit shelter and seating experience with sculptural, non-prescriptive elements that feel more like public art. It’s about achieving both the expected and the unexpected from the same program, while helping campuses and municipalities build a unique visual identity around their transit systems."
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Becoming a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigerant (HVAC-R) contractor can be lucrative, says Bryant Surety Bonds. However, you must understand the training, licensing and bonding requirements so that you can legally operate your business. Since the work of an HVAC-R technician involves handling refrigerants, there are additional requirements you must meet under the guidelines of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Here is what you need to know about HVAC-R licensing and bonding.
State licensing requirements
Most states require HVAC technicians to obtain licenses, but the requirements can vary from state to state. While a few states do not require HVAC contractors to be licensed, municipal or county governments within them might.
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When designing or renovating a student housing facility, square footage, number of occupants and budget are often top design considerations. Designing for student safety ranks even higher, say the experts at KWK Architects.
The safety and security industry is moving toward more personalized security systems where a user’s data resides directly on access cards to gain entry to student housing facilities and fingerprinting or other biometric processes are being used to access secure areas, according to Javier Esteban, AIA, LEED AP, KWK Architects. The new generation of security cameras also provide higher definition images at lower lighting levels, with the ability to cover much wider angles. Esteban also mentions using POE access control hardware, local alarms and timers on exit doors, and individual room access control points.
Esteban says traditional design theories that incorporate basic layers of security and the human element on site, throughout the building and in individual units, should still apply in student housing designs and complement the use of technology. These include a clear separation between public and private areas, a reduced number of building entry points past a reception desk, adequate exterior lighting, reducing hiding places, and more.
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Titled “The event for everything new in HVACR,” and first held in 1930, the AHR Expo offers three full days of networking, education, socializing and experiencing everything new in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). This year's show will be held in Atlanta, GA, February 6-8, 2023. Attendees range from product designers, engineers and architects to installers, end-users and facility operators. Explore best practices, trends, and key issues facing the HVACR industry with the expansive education program featuring accredited sessions including AHR Panel Discussions, Seminar Sessions, New Product Presentations, and free ASHRAE Winter Conference sessions as well as paid ASHRAE Learning Institute courses. The co-located ASHRAE Winter Conference will take place February 4-8.
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Each year, the Professional Facility Management Institute (ProFMI) and its partners ask facility managers from around the world to share their opinions on FM training and credentials. Results are shared publicly to help FM professionals and employers prioritize and justify training investments.
The 2022 FM Training Outlook Survey provided valuable insights in four categories: building and retaining the FM workforce, the value of FM training, addressing the FM skills gap and the importance of FM credentials and qualifications. For example, did you know that FM managers say their team’s top training needs in 2022 were compliance & standards, leadership skills, and emergency management? Read the full report now.
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