Facilities Management articles for the week of 9/27/2026 - 10/3/2026

Fault Detection and Diagnostics Helps Buildings Catch HVAC Problems Early

ey Takeaways: FDD continuously analyzes building automation data to identify emerging HVAC faults, enabling technicians to address small issues before they become costly equipment failures or occupant comfort complaints. Successful FDD programs depend on accurate, well-structured building data, since poor automation-system inputs limit the reliability and value of diagnostic results. Beyond operational savings, a documented FDD program can demonstrate that a property is well managed, lower risk and potentially more valuable during an asset transaction. Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) have arrived in institutional and commercial facilities.

Read This » Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Upgrades Highway Facilities

ey Takeaways:   Modernizing outdated facilities: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is replacing all maintenance sheds — many over 70 years old — to meet current safety, accessibility, workforce, equipment, and building-code requirements.

Read This » How Tracy Morgan Uses AI and Data to Lead Facilities

ey Takeaways: Morgan began his career as a maintenance specialist in the U.S.

Read This » Sustainability Spotlight: Water Conservation via Hydration Stations

ey Takeaways: Bottle-filling stations promote reusable-bottle use, reduce single-use plastic waste and make tap water a more convenient, appealing alternative to bottled water. To support WELL goals, stations should provide reliable access to quality drinking water—ideally within a 100-foot walk of regularly occupied areas—while encouraging regular water use that can also help prevent plumbing stagnation. Long-term results depend on strategic placement, visible cleanliness and disciplined maintenance, including daily cleaning, water-quality monitoring and timely filter replacement. Water bottle filling stations are increasingly popular options for maintenance and engineering managers in institutional and commercial facilities looking to minimize waste and prevent the spread of illness.

Read This » When an Unthinkable Natural Disaster Becomes Reality

Facility managers spend countless hours preparing for emergencies.

Read This » Meeting the Demands of Mission-Critical Electrical Infrastructure

ey Takeaways: Mission-critical electrical projects require highly trained workers who can perform precise work safely while systems remain operational and shutdown opportunities are limited. Structured training, ongoing safety education and established work practices can help electrical crews manage the hazards and operational demands of active healthcare, data center and manufacturing facilities. As electricity demand and infrastructure complexity grow, contractor workforce capacity and response capabilities become increasingly important to maintaining project schedules and operational continuity. Hospitals, data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities cannot afford downtime.

Read This » Roofing Sustainability: Preparing for the Next 10 Years

ey Takeaways:  Evolving energy codes and greater attention to embodied carbon and lifecycle impacts will require facility managers to look beyond first cost when evaluating roofing systems.

Read This » Strategies for Collaborating with Roof System Manufacturers

ey Takeaways:  Involve the roof-system manufacturer early in design.

Read This » Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Considerations in the Built Environment

ey Takeaways:  Lithium-ion battery fires can result from a range of conditions, including physical damage, short circuits, overcharging and extreme temperatures, making proactive risk management essential. Facility teams should account for battery-related risks associated with BESS, EV charging and occupants’ personal devices through code compliance, proper installation, charging practices and emergency planning. As lithium-ion batteries become more prevalent, staying current with evolving building and fire codes can help facilities reduce fire risks and better prepare for emergency response and recovery. With technological innovations and increasing pressure to meet ambitious sustainability targets, the transition to more electrified devices and infrastructure has spurred the rapid development and use of lithium-ion batteries.

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