Facilities Management articles for the week of 7/5/2026 - 7/11/2026

What Best Practices Adopted from the Pandemic Are You Still Using Today?

here has been a massive global shift since Coronavirus was first declared a worldwide pandemic in 2020.

Read This » Hit the Right Career Notes at Elevate

hen we think of Nashville, we think of country music and legends like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.

Read This » The Future of Accessibility in Senior Care Facilities

nbsp; Accessibility isn’t just a checklist — it’s a human experience, and as America’s population ages, the conversation around accessibility is becoming impossible to ignore.

Read This » Rent vs. Buy: What Strategy is Right for You?

ey Takeaways:  Choosing whether to rent or buy equipment requires evaluating not just upfront costs, but also factors such as usage frequency, maintenance requirements, storage, workforce capabilities and long-term operational goals. Renting provides flexibility, lower initial costs and access to maintenance, repairs and the latest equipment, making it a strong option for short-term, specialized or seasonal projects. Purchasing equipment can deliver greater long-term value through ownership, customization, tax advantages and lower lifetime costs, particularly for organizations with consistent workloads and a proactive maintenance strategy. A tale as old as time.

Read This » How AI Is Reshaping Data Center Cooling

rtificial intelligence is driving a fundamental shift in data center operations, with higher rack densities pushing traditional air cooling to its limits.

Read This » How Modern Facility Software Improves Building Performance

ey Takeaways:   Modern facility software has evolved beyond traditional BAS and CMMS platforms by integrating cloud connectivity, IoT devices and advanced analytics to provide real-time insights that improve building performance, energy efficiency and operational decision-making.

Read This » FM Insights: Understanding Your Role

The late Kobe Bryant is remembered not only as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, but he was also known as one of the sport’s hardest workers.  “He wasn’t just a scorer.

Read This » How Facility Managers Can Strengthen Security with Effective Access Control

It is hard to believe there was a time when people left their doors open and unlocked at all times.

Read This » Smart Technology Is Transforming Plumbing Systems and Restrooms

ey Takeaways: Smart plumbing and restroom technologies are generating valuable operational data that can help facility managers improve water quality, regulatory compliance, sustainability performance and occupant health, but adoption remains in its early stages. Building a strong business case is essential for technology adoption, with the greatest value often coming from solutions that support water management plans, reduce risks such as Legionella, and deliver measurable cost and efficiency benefits. Successful implementation starts with deploying sensors in critical locations, establishing actionable performance thresholds, and integrating IoT platforms with building management and maintenance systems to provide real-time visibility and streamlined decision-making. Maintenance and engineering managers have never had more data within reach.

Read This » How Menasha School District Built the Nation’s Largest Net-Zero Middle School

ey Takeaways: The Menasha Joint School District’s Maplewood Middle and Intermediate School demonstrates how long-term planning, facility assessments and strategic investment can help schools achieve ambitious sustainability goals, including becoming the nation’s largest net-zero middle school. District leaders integrated sustainability into both operations and education, using renewable energy systems and building features as real-world learning tools that help students understand environmental concepts firsthand. The project’s success was driven by a district-wide vision, data-informed decision-making and a commitment to addressing facility needs through a comprehensive long-range plan rather than focusing solely on short-term building improvements. A school district tucked away in East Central Wisconsin is quickly becoming a leader in sustainable initiatives.  The Menasha Joint School District in Menasha had plans for a green school for the last decade, officially launching plans for the new Maplewood Middle and Intermediate School three years ago.

Read This » Emergency Preparedness: Avoiding Common Planning Mistakes

ey Takeaways: Effective emergency preparedness starts with comprehensive planning that brings together facility leaders, operations staff, emergency responders and building occupants to ensure all stakeholders understand their roles before a crisis occurs. Emergency plans are only as strong as the training that supports them, making hands-on exercises, drills and practical demonstrations essential for preparing staff to respond confidently during real emergencies. Facility managers play a critical leadership role during emergencies, and avoiding common planning and training mistakes can significantly improve occupant safety, operational resilience and overall emergency response effectiveness. Emergency preparedness is not a sexy topic in institutional and commercial facilities, and most occupants and visitors to facilities pay little or no attention to it — until a crisis strikes.

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