FM Alert

FM Alert provides facility executive professionals with up-to-date breaking news, emerging trends, innovations and insights. Articles from the FM Alert blog are also be posted to social networking sites powered by the Facility Executive Network.



Resilient Coasts Blueprint Outlines Steps to Reduce Risks and Losses in Face of Growing...

The blueprint cites the example of 500 commercial clients of the insurer FM Global, which experienced about 85% less damage from Hurricane Katrina as similarly situated properties. The reduced losses were directly the result of building retrofits and other hurricane loss prevention and preparedness measures taken by the insurer’s 500 policyholders.

MSN Finds It's Not Easy Bein' Green

The survey found that overwhelmingly, almost 70% of the Americans surveyed say they would never limit toilet flushes to conserve water or use a kitchen compost.

IFMA Releases Strategic Facility Planning White Paper

This new white paper defines what strategic facility planning is and what it is not, using accepted business planning methodology and applying it to facility capital planning.

Solar Panels at Budweiser Brewery Now Providing Power

The Anheuser-Busch Fairfield brewery announced that more than six acres of photovoltaic solar arrays, installed and operated by SunEdison, are now generating the equivalent of approximately 3% of the brewery's electricity needs.

IFMA Survey Open: Identifying FM Responsibilities

In February, IFMA launched the 2009 Global Job Task Analysis (GJTA)—an important undertaking for the purpose of identifying responsibilities and job activities shared by facility managers worldwide. IFMA is now entering the survey phase of the GJTA project, and the participation of active facility professionals is crucial.

Global FM Launches World FM Day, August 28, 2009

Global FM member organizations on five different continents will celebrate World FM Day by organizing events such as luncheons, seminars, and workshops, or by undertaking any other activity to celebrate and promote facilities management.

IFMA Joins Group to Advise Department of Energy on High-Performance Green Building

IFMA has joined a consortium of other organizations from the building community that seeks to provide guidance and technical expertise on sustainability issues to the DOE's Building Technologies Program.

GSA Submits Economic Recovery Plans to Congress

The GSA has submitted a $5.55 billion spending proposal highlighting the public building projects it plans to accomplish with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. IFMA is working with GSA as an industry partner to educate the public about GSA’s efforts.

IFMA Announces New Council for City and Country Club Professionals

The City Country Clubs Council of IFMA gives facility professionals from public and private clubs offering recreational activities, event hosting, and gourmet dining a network to share resources, connect with other professionals, and benefit from continuing education courses.

IFMA President and CEO David J. Brady Announces Retirement

President and CEO David J. Brady has announced he will retire from IFMA during the first quarter of 2010.

Autodesk Inventor Helps Designers Focus on World’s Largest Telescope

The telescope will be housed in an astronomical observatory created by Dynamic Structures, one of the world's premier providers of complex movable structures.

Hurricane Ike Anniversary is a Reminder to Prepare

The six month anniversary of Hurricane Ike is a reminder to all coastal residents of the very real threat they face from high winds and storm surge.

Pizza Fusion Unveils World’s First LEED® Certified Pizzeria

Pizza Fusion was recently awarded Gold and Silver certifications by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for its first two restaurants built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications in Palm Beach Gardens and Weston, Florida. This recognition makes Pizza Fusion the first LEED certified pizzeria in the world.

What Exactly Is A Smart Grid?

In 2009, the economic stimulus package included $54 billion for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smart grid projects. What exactly does that all mean and how will it affect your area?

Registration Open for IFMA’s World Workplace 2009!

The International Facility Management Association has opened registration for World Workplace 2009 Conference & Expo! This event is one you don’t want to miss. Held Oct. 7-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., World Workplace brings industry leaders from the world's top business and government organizations together with educators and exhibitors to focus on the future of the work environment.

Employers Unnerved by Ruling Upholding the Legality of Guns in Workplace Parking Lots

A 2009 ruling by a federal appeals court meant managers in a growing number of states must accept what, for many, is a troubling reality—their employees have the legal right to keep guns in their cars at work, even with layoffs on the rise and economic tensions running high.

SunPower Completes Australia’s Largest Roof-Mounted Solar System

SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency, solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems, has completed construction on a 305-kilowatt SunPower solar power system atop the roof of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

Starbucks Opens LEED® Certified Coffee Roasting Plant

Starbucks Coffee Company recently announced the opening of its state-of-the-art roasting plant located in Calhoun County in central South Carolina. The facility employs 100 full-time Starbucks partners (employees) and supplies coffee to the company’s southeastern U.S. stores. The facility is also is an example of the company’s global commitment to green design and has been awarded LEED Silver certification for New Construction by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

FM Alert Launched!

Published regularly with exclusive content, FM Alert will keep industry professionals up to date on breaking news, emerging trends, and the latest innovations and insights.

IFMA Announces Global Job Task Analysis Project

IFMA's education department hopes to define and advance facility management globally by identifying a universal body of knowledge that forms the foundation of the profession.
Webinar, Facility Capital Improvements

Join Our Webinar! Maximizing Value For Facility Capital Improvements

A panel of Facility Management leaders will discuss long-term planning challenges and answer questions about maximizing the value of conducting a Facility Condition Assessments (FCA).
Fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) webinar

Did You Miss Our “Building Analytics, Skilled Labor Shortages & Decarbonization” Webinar?

View this free video webinar to learn how fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) has become a critical part of the resilient facility team’s tech stack.

[VIDEO] Collect Asset Data at the Speed of Walking a Building

AI powered data collection with AkitaBox Capture. Take a picture of the asset nameplate, touch the floor plan to locate the asset and move to the next asset. Save up to 90% of your time in the field with AkitaBox Capture AI.